Full text of The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review : May 1845, Vol. XII, No. V

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THE

MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE,
Established July, 18 39,

BY FREEMAN HUNT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

CONTENTS

OF

NO.

V,

YOL.

XII.

ARTICLES.
ART.

I.

II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.

PAGE.

Commercial Associations o f Prance and England. Translated from the French
“ Eevu des du Blondes” with Remarks and Notes. By H enry C. Carey, of
Pennsylvania,......................................................................................................... 403
The Corn Trade o f the United States. By Hon. C has. H udson, M. C., of Mass., 421
The Erie Canal Enlargement. By John B. Jervis, Civil Engineer, of N. Y .,. 432
The United States Exploring Expedition............................................................... 444
Canal Commerce o f Ohio,...................................................................................... 452
The Precious Metals in Russia— Silver Mining System,................................. 456
Annals o f American Commerce, No. 7,............................................................. 459

ME RC ANT I L E

LAW D E P A R T M E N T .

Mercantile Law Cases : Collision—The Itinerant,........................................................
Bottomry Bonds— Ship Lord Cochrane,..........................................................................
Collision— Schooners Christina and Draper...................................................................
Marine Insurance— Ellwand vs. M ’Donnell,..................................................................
Salvage— The Glasgow Packet,.......................................................................................
Salvage—The John Goodall,............................................................................................
Marine Insurance— Collision— Brigs Susan and Colonia..............................................

MONT HL Y

C O MME R C I A L

462
463
463
464
464
465
466

CHRONI CL E,

EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC., ILLUSTRATED
WITH TABLES, AS FOLLOWS :

Prices of United States Produce in New York Market, at different periods,.... 467,
Prices of Imported Goods in New York, in 1843, 1844, and 1845,.................. 469,
Value of Exports of British Manufactures, from 1841 to 1844,...................................
Leading Items of Foreign Produce imported into U. Kingdom, from 1842 to 1844,..
Revenue paid in Great Britain on Imports, in 1844,......................................................
Population and Revenue of the German Zoll-Verein, from 1834 to 1844,.................
Traffic of German Railways, for 1844,..........................................................................
Consumption of Sugar in German Zoll-Verein, in 1844,.............................................
V O L . X I I .-----N O . V .




25

468
470
471
471
471
473
474
475

402

Table o f Contents.
TA SK .

COMMERCI AL STATI STI CS.
British Foreign and Coasting Trade, from 1801 to 1843,............................................
Coasting and Irish Trade Inwards, from 1801 to 1843,................................................
Business of Little Fort, Illinois,......................................................................................
New London Whale Fishery, for the last 20 years,......................................................
Whale Fishery of Sag Harbor, in 1844,................................................................ 478,
Baltic Trade, distinguishing British from other Foreign,..............................................

STEAMBOAT,

RAI LROAD,

476
476
477
478
479
480

AND CANAL STATI STI CS.

Madison and Indianapolis Railroad, in 1843 and 1844,................................................
Steam between New York and Liverpool, for 1845,....................................................
Passages of the Great Western, between New York and Liverpool,.........................
Opening and Closing of the New York Canals, from 1824 to 1845,..........................
Statistics of British Steam Navigation, from 1814 to 1843,................................ 485,

481
481
482
484
486

NAUTI CAL I NTELLI GENCE.
Breakwater at Caraccas,.................................................................................................... 486
Sea-Light at Brusterort, Prussia,..........................................................
486

COMMERCI AL REGULATI ONS .
Drawback on Goods exported to Foreign Countries adjoining the United States,.. .
Law regulating the Inland Navigation of the United States,........................................
Law regulating Commercial Intercourse with Mignelon and St Pierre,.....................
Merchants’ Tariff of Quebec............................................................................................

MERCANTI L E

487
488
489
489

MI S CEL LANI ES .

Extension of American Commerce with Japan,...............: ...........................................
Counterfeit Gold Sovereigns— Maysville Hemp Market,.............................................
Curiosities o f Trade,.........................................................................................................
First Arrival of Sugar in England, from the United States,............ ...........................
Mineral Resources of Alabama,......................................................................................

490
491
492
492
492

THE BOOK TRADE.
Alger’s Phillips’s Mineralogy—Copland’s Dictionary of Medicine,.............................
Doane’s Lugol’s Researches on Scrofulous Diseases,....................................................
Little’s Life on the Ocean— Taylor’s Law of Landlord and Tenant,..........................
WagstafT’s History of the Friends— Newnham’s Human Magnetism,.......................
Cairns’s Exercises and Movements of Infantry, etc.,....................................................
D e L’Isere’s Diseases and Hygiene of the Organs of the Voice,................................
Marshall’s Emigrant’s Hand-Book— The Goldmaker’s Village,..................................
Gould’s Abridgment of Alison’s Europe—VandenhofPs Elocution,...........................
Bartlett’s Philosophy of Medical Science— Harper’s Family Library, No. 172,.........
Wright’s Grammar— Horne on the Psalms— Sparks’s American Biography,.............
Wayland and Fuller on Slavery— Shurtleff’s Governmental Instructer,.....................
Hale’s (Mrs.) Keeping House and House-Keeping—Halleck’s Poems,.....................
Trials of the Heart—Hall’s (Mrs.) Tales,......................................................................
Books in Pamphlet Form, published by Harper & Brothers,........................................




493
493
494
494
494
495
495
495
495
496
496
496
496
496

HUNT’S

M ERCH ANTS’ MAGAZINE.
M A Y ,

A rt.

1845.

I.— COM M ERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS OF FRAN CE AN D ENGLAND.

T hekk are few subjects that at this time occupy more o f the attention
o f legislative bodies, than that o f the terms upon which individuals are to
be permitted to associate together for the purpose o f trading with the
public. The ingenuity o f legislators is exercised in devising restrictions
and regulations for the purpose o f securing the rights o f third parties
trading with associations, and few or none o f them appear to suppose that
those third parties are more capable o f judging what is for their own in­
terest than any legislator can possibly be. Our whole system is based
upon a recognition o f the right o f self-government, which includes a
right, on the part o f individuals, freely to contract with each other as to
the terms upon which they will trade ; and to determine for themselves
whether they will trade with individuals or associations; and, if they pre­
fer the latter, whether with those which offer, as a guarantee for the faith­
ful performance o f their agreement, the whole o f their property, or that
o f a certain fixed capital. As no one is bound to trade with a com­
pany unless he deem it to his advantage so to d o ; if he does so, it should
rest with him, as it seems to us, to satisfy himself o f the security. Such
being the case, we are unable to see the propriety o f requiring legislative
sanction for the adoption o f any particular form o f association, or any par­
ticular form o f contract, and we have little doubt that it will soon become
obvious that the present system o f granting charters, as privileges and
monopolies in favor o f certain individuals, will give way to a recognition
o f the perfect right o f all to contract with each other on such terms as
they may deem most for their own advantage. The whole subject has
been carefully examined in the following paper by M. Coquelin, origin­
ally published in the Revue des Deux Mondes for July, 1843, and we think
we cannot better occupy a part o f our space, than in offering our readers
a translation o f it.
There have been singular misconceptions in regard to the great word
“ Association.” It has been made to serve, at one time, as the text for




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Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

the most fanciful theories; and, at another, as the basis o f the wildest
and most extravagant calculations. W e propose to offer to our readers a
few remarks upon the tendency and real utility o f the principle so denom­
inated, after which we will proceed to the consideration o f the particular
subject with which we desire to occupy their attention.
Men have been taught to expect results o f a most extraordinary kind to
be attained by means o f its aid. But recently we have seen among our­
selves, schools o f philosophy, professing to be able thereby to lead man­
kind forward to the accomplishment o f great and unknown destinies, and the
last echoes of their high-sounding words even yet ring in our ears, and those
o f our readers, thus rendering it unnecessary that we should designate
them more particularly. They deemed it insufficient to ameliorate the ex­
isting order o f things by gradually removing those defects in the organization o f society which are the remains o f past centuries, and thus con­
tinuing the work o f previous generations, with a steady improvement in
the mode o f action : more radical changes being required to satisfy their
ambition. The existing society wanted regularity : it was not sufficient­
ly defined : it left too much to the human will— too much to the volun­
tary action o f the individual. They desired one with a single centre or
head— universal in its nature and object— in which individuality should
cease to exist— to be possessed o f a single soul, and moved by a single
w ill; and to which man should feel himself attached by a single tie, but
that to be sufficiently strong to control him in all his actions. Such was
the end proposed for accomplishment by those pretended apostles o f hu­
man association 1 Is it such as we should desire to arise ? Or can we be­
lieve that it is by such means that the progress o f mankind in civilization
is to be promoted 1 In opposition thereto, the study o f man, and o f his
history, proves to us that the social ties are daily increasing in number ;
that, in the progress o f man toward civilization, there is a constant in­
crease in the forms and objects o f association; and that, in the natural
course o f things, there is a universal tendency that is directly opposed to
the narrow and contemptible unity advocated in these schools.
Man, they say, is fond o f society ; and, therefore, they would desire to
absorb him in a single society, as if the desire o f association which they
attribute to him could find but that single field for its exercise. Man is
a social being : all his desires and faculties tend to render him such; but
with the desire o f association there is found combined a still stronger de­
sire for freedom o f action. Various in character, and changeable in feel­
ing, man is instinctively induced to desire a state o f society various and
changeable as his own nature ; and, instead o f uniting himself indissolu­
bly with any single portion o f his fellow-men, attaching himself thereto
by a chain, the weight o f which is almost beyond his power to bear, while
its strength is such as to forbid the idea that it should be broken, he
would surround himself by thousands o f the finest filaments, which, while
connecting him in every direction with beings resembling himself, would
still give play to the feelings o f his individual nature. Such is the course
that reason would dictate, and such is the tendency o f civilization. His­
tory affords abundant evidence that it has so manifested itself in past
times, and we have the strongest reasons for believing that such will be
the case in future.
When we compare, in this respect, modern times with those o f antiquity,
how great is the difference! W ho can have failed to remark in how




Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

405

many respects the social ties are less strict in the former than in the
lattei# In Greece and Rome, the city did not limit itself to the protection
o f her members : she bound and enslaved them. Her demands upon
them were incessant. She controlled their movements, and occupied
their time, while she demanded o f them every species o f sacrifice. Their
goods, their labors, and their lives, were hers. The citizen overcame
the man, and was himself but a living fraction, a molecule o f the city. O f
individual rights, there were few or none. The rights o f man, in our days
so solemnly proclaimed, and so fully recognised in the legislation of all
free nations, were then unknown. All individuality was extinguished in
the common feeling o f duty to country. Liberty had no existence. That
which was so denominated by the ancients, was a participation in the ex­
ercise o f the sovereign power— o f power over others ; but not, as it is
now understood, a right to the free application o f o u r o w n labor and o u r
o w n talents, and to the peaceable enjoyment o f o u r o w n property.
The
state was everything, and the individual was nothing ; whereas, the dis­
tinguishing characteristic o f modern civilization is a diminution o f the
power o f the state, and an increase o f that of the man : it is the constant­
ly increasing regard for individual rights. The security o f person, o f
property, and o f opinion, now so extensively enjoyed, is held inviolate.
Reasons o f state are no longer permited to prompt to any interference
with them. These differences are not to be ascribed to any want o f
strength in the modern constitutions o f government; for those nations
whose organization is most perfect, those whose government is most
steady, and those whose advance in the course o f civilization is the most
rapid, are precisely those which are remarkable for the greatest diminu­
tion o f the rights of the state, and the most religious regard for those o f
individuals.
Should we thence infer that the moderns are less advanced in social
life than were the people o f Greece and Rome ? Certainly not. T o ad­
mit that such was the case, would be to deny the existence o f that desire
o f association which is invoked. If, in our times, the political association
has lost some o f its exclusive privileges, it has done so to the advantage
o f one o f a higher species. Man has not availed himself o f the freedom
which he has recovered, to return to the primitive independence o f sav­
age life ; but, on the contrary, has established for himself, and to his great
advantage, an infinite number o f relations, o f the most various character,
with his fellow-men. Commerce and manufactures, arts and sciences,
and even our very pleasures, have afforded to the moderns opportu­
nities for the formation o f social relations ; so that there is now scarcely
a single act in the life o f man that does not bring him into contact with
his fellow-men. The increase in the number o f these relations is not
more remarkable than is their extent. It is scarcely, indeed, possible to
compare, in this respect, those o f the ancients, limited by the walls o f
their city, with those o f our time, when the intercourse between nations
the most distant has become so easy and so rapid. Thus, precisely as one
o f the ties by which man is connected with his fellow-men becomes weak­
ened, we find him amidst thousands of others, formed of his own free will,
liable to be changed at his convenience, and consistent, therefore, with
the enjoyment o f liberty ; but which, from their character and their num­
ber, produce connections o f the most indestructible kind.




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Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

It is thus that, by studying carefully the progress o f civilization in past
ages, we are enabled to trace, in the various combinations o f society,
changes analagous to those which are observed in the processes o f differ­
ent branches o f manufacture. In their infancy, the phenomena o f pro­
duction are simple. Everything is done at one place, and by the same
hands. The man to whose labor in the field we are indebted for the raw
material, fashions it to suit the wants o f those for whom it is intended,
and delivers it to the consumer. The wool is grown, and spun, and
woven, and worn, without being removed from the farm. At a later period,
labor becomes divided, and the various operations are separated from
each other, executed by different hands, and perhaps at different places.
The more rapid the advance o f manufactures, the greater is the division
o f labor ; and the greatest perfection o f the latter marks the most rapid
progress o f the former. So is it with association. In uncivilized times
it is most simple. The whole social aptitude is then exercised in a
single circle o f very limited extent— first, that o f the family, and soon af­
ter, that o f the state. At a later period, we find many circles among
which the life o f man is divided; and the more perfect the civilization,
the more numerous become these circles, and the more specific their ob­
jects ; and thus, as in manufactures, the constantly increasing division o f
labor tends to the daily increase o f the productive pow er; so with this
enlarged application o f the principle o f association, the social life gains
in extent, in depth, and in intensity.
Properly applied, and for the purposes to which it is adapted, the de­
sire o f association is a lever o f wonderful pow er; one that is capable o f
producing great results; and one which man desires at every step to call
to his aid. By the union of individual forces, o f which it is the cause,
there is obtained an increase o f power so great that we find it difficult to
conceive o f an enterprise so extensive as not to be practicable. O f how
many applications is it not susceptible in trade and manufactures ! The
most gigantic labors become simple and easy when aided by i t ; and
works, that could not ever be dreamed o f by individuals, become easy o f
execution when numbers are associated for their performance.
W e must not, however, believe that it may be applied on all occasions,
even within the limits we have above indicated— those o f trade and man­
ufactures. The increase o f power is relative, not absolute ; and it is ob­
tained only when the union o f which it should be the result is directed to
the attainment o f an object, the importance o f which is proportioned to
the extent o f the association. When such is not the case, there is a dimi­
nution, instead o f an increase, o f power, each o f the individuals losing a
part o f that which he before possessed. However advantageous may be
trading and manufacturing associations, individual enterprise will, at all
times, be found maintaining its rights. I f the former have advantages re­
sulting from an union o f forces, individual energy, prompted by self-inter­
est, affords others by which competition is maintained : to wit, prompti­
tude, economy, and careful management o f detail. According to La Fontain, “ we must see the master’s eye.” It is seen in the operations o f in­
dividuals, while it is wanting in those o f associations, or at least those
which are on a great scale, and it is difficult to estimate the full extent o f
the injury that results therefrom. There are limits to the powers o f man,
and the manager o f a great undertaking, even although devoted to it as
fully as if it were his own individual enterprise, can never give to all the




Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

407

details the same care and attention that could be given to one on a more
limited scale. Association should not, therefore, be adopted for either
trading or manufacturing purposes, except when there are serious grounds
o f preference. What these are, it would be difficult to state, but we may
furnish some general indications o f them.
In the first place, it is necessary, in all cases, when the magnitude o f
the operation is such as to exceed the power o f individual exertion. Here,
there is no choice. Again— although even not beyond the limits o f indi­
vidual ability, it might be that advantage would result from executing it
on a large sca le; as, by so doing, recourse might be had to machinery
that would be too costly for an operation o f on a small one— or because,
in a large establishment the arrangements may be made more complete,
involving a more perfect division of labor, and causing greater economy o f
expenditure.
In matters o f this kind there is required, however, a good deal o f cau­
tion in regard to paper calculations as even when apparently most ac­
curate, there is found very often good reason to doubt the correctness of
figures. It happens not unfrequently that it is desired to bring within the
sphere o f association certain operations that have been thus far successful­
ly carried on by individuals, and an estimate is furnished with a view
to prove the advantage to be derived from it. The expenses o f the
private establishment are first given, to show how much o f them is unne­
cessary ; the waste is then shown, and the absence o f division o f labor,
with the loss o f which it is the cause, attributable to the limited extent o f
the concern ; and then an account o f the expenditure and product o f a
great company is furnished, with results contrasting most favorably with
those o f the individual operator, because o f the great apparent economy o f
labor. The calculation is most precise, the deductions are most logical,
and the results are undeniable. Nevertheless, when it is attempted to
carry the proposed operation into effect, it is found that the individual
trader, or manufacturer, notwithstanding the competition which it was
threatened would destroy him, is enabled to continue his business, bearing,
without effort, the weight o f his expenses, and o f his losses, whilst, with
all their great savings, the company is ruined; and it is so because in
their estimates they had omitted certain moral influences, by which all
their calculations are overthrown. Individual establishments are indebt­
ed for their success to the activity and care o f the owners, who require
promptitude and exactness from those in their employ, while maintaining
harmony among themselves, and thus are enabled to establish economy
in the details o f their business ; while companies too often owe their ruin
to the want o f all these qualities. A short career o f activity is not unfre­
quently succeeded by a want o f both care and industry on the part o f the
managers. Personal attention to the performance o f operations so ex­
tended is deemed an exertion too severe for their limited powers, and it
ceases to be given ; the example, thus set, is followed by those in their
employ ; and, in a short time, the want o f union, and o f concert o f action,
becomes manifest; want o f order gains ground, while the appearance o f
it is maintained ; and, at length, waste and robbery accomplish what neg­
ligence commenced. Here we have the history o f numerous companies,
past and present. It is that o f most public establishments, which are to be
regarded as great associations; it will be that o f more o f those institu­
tions now dreamed o f by our different social schools, if, perchance, they




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Commercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

should ever be so far matured as to test the correctness o f our views in re­
gard to them. Without doubting in the least the advantages o f associa­
tions, even when, in certain cases, they are found competing with the ex­
ertions o f individuals, we may be permitted to express the opinion that
those advantages are neither so general nor so great as is sometimes sup­
posed, and that we ought not to overlook the disadvantages by which they
are sometimes overbalanced.
Those disadvantages are, however, greatly diminished when the ope­
ration is of such a character as to admit o f a regular and steady course o f
action, where the labor is uniform, where each day sees repeated the
movement o f that which preceded it, and where each person has marked
out for him beforehand the duty that he is expected to perform. Such is
the case, more especially, in establishments in which the duty, is ip a
great measuie, reduced to one o f mere responsibility, as, for example, in
banking and insurance companies.
This habit o f association is also applicable to establishments which, like
banks, require a large amount o f confidence, because a large and power­
ful company will always command it to a greater extent than an individ­
ual, be he whom he may. It is so, likewise, in those operations in which
guarantee against risk is required— first, because in general those risks
may, when taken on a large scale, be measured by aid o f the doctrine o f
probabilities, and thus cease to present any real danger ; and, secondly,
because, in case o f loss, it is divided among a large number o f persons,
and is little felt; whereas it would be utterly destructive to an individual.
Associations may also properly engage in operations which, although of­
fering the prospect o f a large return, are attended with too much risk to
warrant individuals in undertaking them. W ere it, for example, proposed
to fit out an expedition for a new and comparatively unknown country, a
company, towards the formation o f which no one o f the members had
contributed more than a very small portion o f his means, might be in a
situation to undertake it, perhaps with advantage to the proprietors, and
to the nation at large.
Associations are formed, in the United States, as well as in England,
for undertakings the most gigantic in extent, and the most hazardous in
character. In addition to the vast extent o f the works they have construct­
ed for purposes o f internal communication, they have undertaken the
foundation o f distant colonies, the creation o f cities in the woods, and the
exploration o f unknown regions o f country. There is no idea so bold,
provided it offer the prospect, remote or proximate, o f a sufficient return,
that they are not tempted to carry it into execution. W e observe, as a
consequence o f this adventurous spirit, occasional failures, partial disas­
ters, and sometimes even great disturbances in the commercial world, al­
though these latter are much more frequently to be attributed to political
events than to mercantile miscalculation. This disposition to adventure is
not unattended by risk ; but then, on the other hand, how great is the spring
that it gives to trade, and how numerous are the outlets for which both
trade and manufactures are indebted to i t ! How widely, in the case o f
those two nations, is the sphere o f commercial activity extended, and how
rapid is the increase o f their wealth ! I f some o f their trading associations
have met with disasters, under which they have fallen, hundreds o f others
have survived, the pride and strength o f their respective countries ; and




Com mercial Associations o f F rance and E ngland.

409

even over the ruins o f some o f those which have given way, have been
opened new roads to wealth, o f which individuals have largely availed
themselves.
II.
At no time has the principle o f association been extensively applied in
France. Whether before or since the revolution, we find but a small
number o f petty companies, and few or none of those powerful combina­
tions o f capital and men that are required for the formation o f a system
o f extensive commercial operations. Most persons are thence induced to
suppose that the genius o f the French nation is not in accordance with
this principle— an idea which we believe to be very erroneous, although
we shall not now stop to examine it, but will proceed to show what we
deem to be the true cause o f the e v il: to wit, the state o f the law regu.
lating the formation and management o f associations.
There is reason to believe that companies for trading purposes were
left to manage themselves until 1673, at which time it was deemed ex­
pedient to subject them all to one general law. The ordinance then pub­
lished recognized the existence o f two kinds : viz., the societe en nom collectif, and the societe en commandite, which were regulated by it nearly
as they are at the present day. In addition to those which ranged them­
selves under these two heads, there were others, free and irregular, but
temporary in their nature, generally formed for the performance o f some
single and specific operation, and with which the law did not, therefore,
interfere. At that time they were known as societies anonymes, but they
are now styled societes en participation.
This system, as we see, provided no place for the larger species o f as­
sociation ; for neither o f the two forms recognized by the law was susceptible o f application on a great scale ; the societe en commandite not
then being permitted the division o f the capital into shares, which has
since been authorised. Those then termed anonymes were destined to but
a very brief period o f existence, having in them no cohesive principle.
The larger species o f association— that founded on transferable stock, and
the only one fitted for extensive operations— was then scarcely at all
known. The only examples were some few that were authorised by the
government, as the India Company, the Bank o f Law, and others o f a
similar kind— companies organized under the grant o f special privileges,
and less to be regarded as commercial establishments than state insti­
tutions.
At the close o f the revolution, in consequence o f the disordered state o f
the government, commercial associations were enabled, in some degree, tofree themselves from restrictions. It was then that the practice arose,
among the societes en commandite, o f dividing the capital into transferableshares, the effect o f which was greatly to enlarge their sphere o f action.
At the same time was seen to arise a new species o f association, to which
the old societe anonyme, thanks to the license she enjoyed, served, as it
seemed, for a pretext, although the difference between them was very es­
sential. This new species o f association, greater in its capital, more nu­
merous as regards its members, and more extensive in its operations,
thus made its. way into the world under a borrowed name, and without
legal recognition ; and yet, notwithstanding its precarious position, it has
filled, with advantage, the situation to which it was entitled by reason o f
its admirable constitution. It is the same which is now known as the societe anonyme.




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Com mercial Associations o f F rance and E ngland.

At the formation o f the code, in 1807, the system adopted in regard to
associations was essentially that of the ancient legislation, but there were
engrafted thereon some o f those innovations which custom had sanctioned.
The societe en commandite retained the privilege o f dividing its capital into
transferable .shares, and the new societe anonyme received a legal sanc­
tion, with, however, the reservation to the government o f the right o f de­
termining the expediency o f the formation o f any company o f this latter
description. As to the old societe anonyme, that ephemeral association
which the law had never undertaken to regulate, it retained its old privi­
leges, changing only its name. That now given to it was societe en par­
ticipation, being the same that had before been held by one o f its branches.
This law o f 1807 has existed to the present time, and it is in its provi­
sions that we must seek the cause o f the torpor o f the spirit of association
among us, as well as o f the abuses that have so frequently attended the
cases in which it has been applied. By it, three species o f commercial
associations are recognised.
In the first, la societe en now. collectif, all the parties are required to
be specified by name in a public declaration, and their names alone
serve as the groundwork o f the association. Their union involves the
most entire responsibility, in their persons, and to the full extent o f their
fortunes, for all the engagements o f the company, and those engagements
may be formed by any one o f the persons signing the contract o f part­
nership.
The second, la societe commanditaire, is formed between one or more
acting partners, responsible for all engagements, in person and in proper­
ty, and one or more special partners, who supply the capital, and are
named commanditaires, or partners en commandite. The names o f the
first class— those o f the acting partners— alone appear in any contracts
o f the association, and to them exclusively is reserved the control o f the
action o f the company. So far as regards them, everything is precisely
as it would be in any ordinary partnership, but the special partners are
liable for losses only to the extent o f the capital they have subscribed to
the company.
The third, la societe anonyme, has no connection with the names o f the
associators. That which is given to it, is usually one calculated to desig­
nate the object of the enterprise. None o f the partners are liable beyond
the amount o f their subscribed capital. It is managed by persons em­
ployed for that purpose, whether partners or not, who are liable to be
changed at the will o f the proprietors, and they are either salaried or
otherwise, as the case may be. Their management carries with it no
responsibility on their part for the debts o f the company, nor any other,
except for the due execution o f the duties entrusted to them.*
It is thus, and nearly in these words, that associations are regulated by
the code. W e have, however, omitted various provisions for carrying out
the system, because not o f a fundamental character.
* It will readily be seen that these three forms of association correspond precisely with
those known among us as the common partnership, the limited partnership, and the char­
tered company, or corporation. The two former will hereafter be referred to by those
names ; but, in speaking of the latter, we shall use the French one, as in noticing Eng­
lish associations of that description, the author uses the term corporation, with reference
to some differences that he thinks exists between those and the societe anonyme. W e
are not, however, aware of any such difference. [Translator.




Commercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

411

In examining these general arrangements, and comparing them with the
practice under them, we find that the first is a combination o f capital and
o f persons, and constitutes the most absolute form o f commercial as­
sociation. That which renders it such is not less the extent o f the re­
sponsibility which is assumed, than the obligation imposed by the pub­
licity given to their names. The last, placed at the opposite extremity
o f the scale, gives us, on the contrary, a simple association o f capital.
Everything that could tend to remind us o f the individual is dropped, the
associates taking no part in the management, except so far as to designate
the persons to whom it is to be confided, and to require from them reports
o f the disposition o f the capital confided to their care. The second o c­
cupies a sort o f middle position between the two, being a sort o f mixed
association; but it is to be remarked that the position o f the special part­
ners differs materially from that o f members o f a societe amnyme, or char­
tered company, because the latter, reserving to themselves, as they do, the
right o f changing the direction, are at all times the fountain o f p ow er:
whereas the former, having once paid up their capital, abdicate all autho­
rity, and relinquish all right o f interference, leaving the management ex­
clusively to the acting partners.
W e cannot fail to be struck with the restrictive spirit which predomi­
nates throughout the system, and which is fully shown in the single sen­
tence, “ The law recognizes three kinds o f commercial association.” The
act o f association being a most natural one, it would appear that the terms
o f it might advantageously be left to the parties themselves, to be modified
as they might respectively judge best for the promotion o f their several
interests ; but we see, on the contrary, that the law takes their place, pro­
posing three different modes o f accomplishing their object, and leaving
them only the choice as to which they would prefer. Let them select
which they may, they find their proceedings tramelled by regulations o f
the strictest kind, rigorously enforced, and incapable o f modification with
a view to the necessities o f the various cases that may and do arise.
Is this right ? Is it to be regarded as an indication o f wisdom and
foresight on the part o f the legislator, or simply as an abuse o f the power
o f regulation, a restraint upon the freedom o f trade, and an useless and
injurious interference with the right o f men freely to contract one with
another? W e shall see in the sequel; but it is proposed first to inquire
whether or not the various combinations thus indicated by the law are
the only possible ones, whether they are sufficient for the purposes of
trade, and whether the limitation to a mere choice among them does not
interfere injuriously with the development o f the habit o f association. W e
shall preface this inquiry by an examination o f the advantages to be de­
rived from the several authorised forms themselves.
The first, or common partnership, would appear, at first sight, to be
the most perfect, as it is the most rigorous in its requirements. It is the
absolute type o f commercial association ; but, for the reason that it is so
rigorous, and so absolute, it is not susceptible o f application on an exten­
sive scale. T oo many conditions are required in an alliance so close, to
admit that many persons should associate themselves together under it.
W here men contribute their time and attention to a common stock, it is
necessary that there should be some similarity o f habit and o f capacity,
or that they should endeavor to adapt themselves to each other ; and, if it
be not absolutely necessary that they should be equal in their contributions




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Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

o f credit and capital, there must be established among them, in this re­
gard, such regulations as will tend to prevent dispute, and this is not al­
ways readily or completely accomplished. Again— where men are thus
responsible, and where each exercises the right o f binding his partners to
an unlimited extent, there must be an equally unlimited confidence in each
other. Such a connection involves a necessity for daily, if not for hourly
intercourse, which, in its turn, requires that there should be a conformity
o f disposition, and o f temperament, or, at least, a habit o f mutual toler­
ance. These things could never be found in an extensive association.
The most we have a right to hope for, is to find them occasionally in a
small group o f relations or friends. Being indispensable to common part­
nerships, it is obvious that, although applicable to a vast variety o f opera­
tions, the number o f pesons composing them must always be very limited.
The societe en commandite, or limited partnership, although subjected to
regulations that are abundantly rigorous, allows much more freedom than
the ordinary partnership. As the mass o f the partners take no part in
the management, there is far less tendency to discord, the probability o f
a prolonged and peaceful existence, is greatly increased, and less difficul­
ty consequently attends its application on a large scale. Those difficul­
ties which attend the forced co-operation in ordinary partnership have
here no existence. It is not required that there should be harmony o f
opinion, or similarity o f capacity, or o f character, that they should at all
times think and act alike ; it is, on the contrary, sufficient that they have
adopted, once for all, the views o f the acting partner, and that they deem
his character to afford them a warrant for expecting faithful management
o f the interests confided to his care.
Would the reader see the action o f a limited partnership in its most
rigorous form, let him suppose an inventor seeking for a capital to enable
him to carry his invention into practice. T o obtain the aid o f capitalists,
he must offer them a share o f the anticipated benefit— they must asso­
ciate themselves with him in the chances o f its success. In such a case,
which o f the forms would he select 1 Not a common partnership, cer­
tainly ! for who would call in a third person to take part in the manage­
ment o f a business, the secret o f which belonged exclusively to himself?
What advantage, indeed, would result from the unlimited liability o f the
partners, where there was no reciprocity ? Neither would he select the
societe anonyme, or chartered company, in which he might be superseded
as manager. He would stand, in such an association, on no better foot­
ing than any other share holder, and he might be lost in the crowd ;
whereas, the association existing, as it were, by and for him, the manage­
ment would appear to belong to him as a matter o f right.
Cases occur, in which a merchant, or a manufacturer, without being
precisly an inventor, has undeniable claims to the management o f an un­
dertaking, from the possession o f qualities peculiarly calculated to promote
its success. So great, indeed, is the necessity, in many cases, for the
limited partnership, that it is difficult to conceive how we could dispense
with, or replace it. Suppress it, and there will be seen, on all sides, in­
ventions abandoned, talents unproductive, and the most promising establish­
ments struck with paralysis, or perhaps even death.
Such as it is, nevertheless, the limited partnership^ although well
adapted for certain cases, is not fitted for the general business o f life.
Vesting, as it does, all power in the hands o f the acting partners, in




Commmercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

413

whom the association is personified, it is obvious that there should be
reason for so doing found in the fact o f his possessing peculiar qualifica­
tions, as, otherwise, the company would appear to be qjeated chiefly for
his individual advantage. In cases where the associates are equal, or
nearly so, in their rights and claims, and where no one is seen to possess
any particular recommendation for the post o f manager, where the man­
agement might be performed indifferently, by various members o f the as­
sociation ; or even, where the company having been formed without the
special intervention o f any single individual, belongs, as we may say, to
itself; the grant of such absolute power would be a monstrous absurdity.
What then would be the proper form in such a case ? The reader must
already have seen that it would be that o f the societe anonyme, or charter­
ed company.
That is the form o f association which especially belongs to our time,
and which is suited to our wants. It is the one which may look upon the
future as its property.* Everything tends to prove that such is the case :
its recent origin ; its rapid success in the short period during which it has
been permitted to exert its energies, notwithstanding the efforts that
have been made, both in France and in England, to supply its p la ce; and
its immense extension in the United States, where it has had to encounter
less interference on the part o f legislators. It is necessary only to
examine it, to be fully satisfied how admirably it enters into the spirit,
and how perfectly it adapts itself to the wants o f trade.
Capitalists coming together from various quarters, agree with each
other to enter into any given operation. Each takes such share as suits
his inclination and his means. With the amount subscribed, they form a
joint capital suited to the object they have in view. They then designate the
persons who shall have charge o f the management, for their common ben­
efit, and their duties are performed. They meet and they separate with­
out knowing each other ; they are held together by a single tie, but other­
wise are entirely free as regards their persons and their acts. I f any further duty rest upon them, it is only that o f surveillance, always easy, and
one that may be performed from a distance, or dispensed with, as occa­
sion may require. There are none o f the annoyances that attened an
ordinary partnership. The capital being once paidup,everymemberis free,
and there is no responsibility to disquiet him, as his losses are limited by
the extent o f his interest. I f so disposed, and it meets the approbation
o f the other share holders, he takes a part in the direction, but otherwise
leaves it in the hands o f others.
As the capital o f the company may be divided at will, and as the asso­
ciates are such with reference only to that capital, and no demand is
made upon their time or attention, it follows that the stock by which the
capital is represented may be diffused throughout the nation, or even held
in foreign countries; and, in this manner, a whole nation may unite it­
self in a national enterprise, or the nations o f the world combine for the
execution o f a work intended for the general good of mankind. There is
nothing which accords so fully with the cosmopolitan spirit o f trade as
this species o f association— nothing which favors so directly that commer­
cial union o f the various nations, which it is so obviously the tendency of
the inventions o f our time to produce.
How perfect, too, is the facility o f proportioning the amount o f capital
to the extent o f the undertaking ! The fortune and credit o f the single




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Commercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

capitalist, however great, have their limits, and may exceed, or fall short
o f the desired amount. In the first case, he is unwilling to devote himself
to any enterpri^ that is not in some measure commensurate with his
m eans; while in the latter, and more common case, he finds only embar­
rassment and failure. In an association like that o f which we speak, the
capital is elastic, and may be increased or diminished at discretion.
It is more particularly in extensive undertakings that the societe anonyme,
or chartered company, possesses advantages, not only over individuals,
such as may readily be understood, but over all other forms o f association.
The common partnership cannot extend itself, as we have seen, because
o f its numerous requirements. The limited partnership is very limited in
its powers. In the societe anonyme, on the contrary, the base o f the as­
sociation may be extended at will, as there is no necessary limit to the
amount o f the capital. It is for this reason that this form is so peculiarly
fitted to the enlarged ideas o f our times.
There are other reasons which give it a decided advantage over all
the other forms. In the common partnership, the equality o f power pos­
sessed by the partners, and the necessity for its daily exercise, tend to
produce daily discussions, and ultimately a want o f harmony among them.
The limited partnership is not liable to this exception, but it is because
the persons who furnish the capital are compelled to forego all control
over its management. The societe anonyme restores everything to its
right place, establishing order without interfering with right. It leaves
to the mass o f the share holders sufficient power— all, in fact, that they
could advantageously exercise— that o f appointing, directing, and remov­
ing the managers.
Appointed themselves by the shareholders, these
managers exercise, in their turn, an absolute control over the persons
whose services are required to carry out their views, engaging or dis­
charging them at their pleasure. Thus, while among the members there
is that perfect equality required for permanent association, there is among
the employees that subordination which is indispensable to the atttainment
o f unity, steadiness, and energy o f action ; and withal, the righs o f the
various parties are fully maintained. The union o f these advantages in
the societe anonyme would appear to render it the most perfect form o f as­
sociation.
III.
Unless we greatly deceive ourselves, the views we have thus submitted
to our readers must tend to induce them to agree with us in the doubts
we have expressed as to the sufficiency o f the system established among
us. It is obvious that these three forms, with their numerous formalities,
and their limited power o f application, are far from filling the vast circle
o f association. It is impossible not to see that they are widely separated
from each other, and that there are vast spaces unoccupied. Between the
common partners, who identify themselves with each other, body and
goods, and the holders o f shares, in a compagnie anonyme, who have put
into the common stock but a portion o f their capitals, and are free from
all further responsibility, there is room for very many possible, and, per­
haps, excellent combinations to exist; and it can scarcely be doubted
that, if man had, in this respect, been left perfectly free, his ingenuity,
constantly at work to increase his means, and to enable him to avail him­
self o f his own resources, would have discovered new modes by which
the principle o f association would have been rendered vastly more pro­




Commercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

415

ductive than it has yet been made among us. Suppose, for example, that
in the first, or common partnership, that o f unlimited liability, the partners were released from the obligation o f publishing their names to the
world, and that the association were known by the name o f only one of
the partners, or by that o f the object for the promotion o f which the com­
pany had been form ed; there would be an immediate change o f charac­
ter, and the ties by which the partners were held together would be ren­
dered less stringent; and, consequently, the power o f extension would be
proportionably increased. If, in addition, it were permitted to such an
association to divide its capital into shares, (a thing too natural and too
simple ever to be prohibited,) there would be nothing to prevent its appli­
cation to extensive operations, without in any way confounding it with the
societe anonyme, or chartered company, from which it would still be dis­
tinguished by the unlimited responsibility o f its members. In this man­
ner, from each one o f the recognised forms o f association might be pro­
duced a variety o f new ones.*
It cannot but be regretted that it should have been deemed necessary to
define so carefully the various forms o f association, to limit their number,
and to determine so rigorously the conditions o f their existence. It would
seem desirable to allow more latitude to trade, and to permit greater freedom
in the formation of contracts. I f the legislator has regarded this limita­
tion as an act o f foresight, or o f wisdom, he has certainly deceived him­
self, as, instead o f producing regularity o f association, he has done nothing
but prevent the development o f the great principle. Instead o f intro­
ducing order into this species o f transactions, he has produced, under a de­
ceitful appearance o f regularity, the highest degree o f disorder; and he
might have foreseen that it was inevitable that the interests o f individuals
would induce an attempt to break the chains by which they were bound,
and to escape by secret outlets, when the great gates should be closed
against them.
Nevertheless, such as it was, with all its deficiencies, the system, thus
prescribed, was capable of being advantageously applied, had the subse­
quent arrangements been o f a more liberal character. Freed from fur­
ther restrictions, those three species o f association, although insufficient,
would have answered for a vast variety o f situations, and for the satisfac­
tion o f a host o f wants; but the legislator has surrounded them with ex­
press restrictions, or with formalities indirectly restrictive, which greatly
retard their development. The abuse of the power o f regulation so obvious in the general outline o f the system, is not less manifest in the de­
tails. W e shall now proceed to show what, with the aid o f these restric­
tions, the associations become in practice.
* In 1838, in a memoir on commercial association, M. Wolowski proposed, with a
view to remedy some of the abuses of the limited partnership, to grant certain authority
to the special partners, or to a council of inspection to be instituted by them. M. W olowslu did not remark that what he proposed was not merely a modification of the limited
partnership, hut a new species of company— one far more convenient than that whose
constitution he proposed to improve, being better suited to purposes to which it would
then be applied ; but not at all fitted to those for which it has thus far been used. About
the same time, M. Vincens, Counsellor of State, showed that the constitutions granted
to the different societes anonymes, were not always alike in their provisions. There are,
in fact, important differences among them— differences not authorised by the general law
under which they are granted, which is too absolute and rigorous in its requirements to
accommodate itself to the wants of trade. The forms of association are susceptible of an
almost incalculable number of useful modifications.




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Com mercial Associations o f F rance and E ngland.

In the first place, no partnership, however small, either common or
limited, can be formed without considerable eclat, and the compliance
with an almost endless series o f formalities. The thirty-ninth article o f
the code requires that there should be a public declaration, or that agree­
ments should be executed and acknowleged according to certain forms, as
designated in article 1325 o f the code civile— that is to say, there must be
as many copies as there are contracting parties, and in each copy must
be inserted, on pain o f invalidity, a statement o f how many copies, have
been made. In matters o f this kind, requiring often to be promptly car­
ried into effect, these formalities are unnecessary, and the rapid move­
ments o f trade would certainly accommodate themselves much more rea­
dily to arrangements which could be formed or discontinued by letters, or
by the most simple form o f agreement, and o f which the existence could
be established by the correspondence, or by the books. This, however,
is not all. The code de commerce is not to be satisfied with this small
measure o f regulation.
That an association, or partnership, may be legally formed, it is re­
quired, by article 42, that an extract from the articles o f agreement be
delivered, within a fortnight, to the clerk o f the tribunal o f commerce o f
the arrondissement in which the business is to be carried on, to be regis­
tered by him, and then placarded in the court-room during the period o f
three months, and the same forms must be observed in every arrondisse­
ment in which the company proposes to have a place o f business. This
extract must contain the name, surname, quality, and place o f residence,
o f the several partners ; the style and title by which the association is to
be known ; the names o f the persons who are authorised to act and to sign
for i t ; the amount o f shares, or the sum furnished by each o f the special
partners ; the time at which its operation is to commence, and the period
fixed for its termination. I f the partnership be continued beyond the time
fixed, or if it be dissolved before that time, or if one or more o f the asso­
ciates should retire, or if any new classes or stipulations be introduced
into the agreement, or if there should be any change in the title by which
the company is to be known, in all these cases the same formalities are
required to be observed, and that they may be so, in their fullest extent,
the legislator has thought proper to visit their omission with the most
certain, if not the most moral o f punishments, by declaring the contract
invalid as regards the parties by whom it is formed, without prejudice,
however, to the claims o f third parties.
W e are not disposed to lay unnecessary stress upon this abuse o f the
power o f regulation, or upon the injury o f which it is the cause— a serious
injury, although habit tends to diminish our consciousness o f i t ; but we
would particularly desire the attention of our readers to the long and tedi­
ous announcement that is required o f every association for the purposes
o f trade, great or small. The terms o f a private contract are here re­
quired to be exposed to the public eye, during a period o f three months.
Far less is required for the publication o f the banns o f marriage. An
union for trading purposes, if its duration should be required to bear any
proportion to the length o f its announcement, would never be dissolved
under twenty or thirty years. Change— movement— are the life and spi­
rit o f trade, and it is a violation o f its first principles to subject to such
regulations and restrictions associations formed for its prosecution.




Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

417

These precautions are said to be required as a security for the rights
o f third parties. I f so necessary, how does it happen that they have been,
thus far, dispensed with in England, where partnerships were formed
without any o f the ceremonies in use among us ? Why, if so necessary,
are they dispensed with in the societes en participation 1 W e know that
o f them is not required the observance o f the forms thus insisted on with
regard to all others, and that their existence may be proved by the books,
the correspondence, and even by oral testimony. Why this partial aban­
donment o f securities, elsewhere deemed so needful? It is, say they, be­
cause it would be impossible to enforce them in regard to associations
destined to so short a term o f existence. The absurdity o f requiring a
three months’ notice o f a contract that might endure but as many days,
was too obvious to escape even our legislators; but, if such securities
were at all needed, the necessity therefor would appear to increase
precisely as the term o f existence o f the association is diminished. A
transient union leaves few traces o f its having existed, and it is always
difficult o f p roof; whereas, in more enduring associations, the proof is
supplied by the actions o f the parties interested. I f books, and letters,
and testimony o f witnesses, are to be deemed sufficient evidence in the
case o f societes en participation, there is far greater reason why they
should so be deemed in the other cases.
Between the societes en participation, which are generally established
with a view to some single object, and those longer-lived associations,
some o f which appear destined to an existence almost equal in duration
to the life o f man, the distance is very great; so much so that room might
be found for an infinite variety o f associations, formed for given purposes,
and without the expectation o f any extraordinary duration. Such part­
nerships would very frequently be formed, and they would be most useful;
but how is it possible to do so, when the law requires, invariably, three
months’ notice ?
It would seem as if the lawgiver had thought that he was rendering
good service in introducing and enforcing the principle o f permanence.
It is the common fault o f legislators to attach importance to duration, and
to endeavor to impress upon everything they touch this character o f inva­
riability, as if it were to be desired that everything should outlive the
wants for the satisfaction o f which it had been needed, or that it
should be perpetuated after it had ceased to be useful. Durability and
permanence are not in harmony with the spirit o f trade. So much the
better then, say they, if by their enforcement we can place dikes in the
way o f this constantly moving flood ! They seem to believe that the
varying character o f arrangements for the purposes o f trade is produced
by a mere desire o f change— caprice, and that there is nothing in it that
is reasonable. If, however, this tendency to change does exist, the cause
is to be found in the infinite variety o f circumstances and situations, and
in the necessity that trade should accommodate its arrangements thereto.
I f it passes from one mode o f combination to another, trying each in suc­
cession, it is because its ingenuity is constantly taxed to produce this ac­
commodation. Should it continue unchangeable, while all is changing
around it ? It would be as well to advise the seaman always to avail
himself o f the same winds, and always to use the same sails.
V O L. X I I .— n o . v .
26




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Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

O f the three kinds o f association that are permitted, we see that the two
first are greatly restrained in practice by the securities required by the
law. Those which relate to the societe anonyme produces this effect in a
still greater degree. In the former case, the legislator has been content
with requiring an observance o f certain forms, but in the latter, he has
expressly prohibited the formation o f any such association, except when
directly authorised by the government.
W e sometimes see attempts to justify this excess o f regulation by a
reference to the peculiar character o f the compagnie anonyme, and to the
insufficiency o f security which it is supposed to offer to those who trade
with it. We shall, in due season, inquire into the validity o f this reason,
but will first see what is the effect o f this restriction, and how far it tends
to prevent the extension o f the principle o f association. T o understand
this fully, it will be sufficient to acquaint ourselves with the labors inci­
dent to the formation o f a company o f that kind.
Let us suppose one or more individuals to have conceived the idea of
forming such a company. I f they were free, what would they do ? Hav­
ing determined upon this subject, and arranged their plan o f operation,
they would offer it for public consideration, perhaps to a limited number
o f persons, with whom, or a part o f whom, they would form an union. All
this would be perfectly simple and easy o f performance, there being no
difficulties to be overcome but those which were inherent to the project
itself. The moment, however, that it became necessary to obtain the
authority o f the government, new and serious difficulties would present
themselves.*
The first is the doubt that arises in the minds o f the projectors whether
or not they shall be so fortunate as to obtain the necessary permission.
With their project, promising as it appears to them, and capable, as they
believe it to be, o f yielding a handsome return to the investment, calcu­
lated, as it is, to meet the approbation o f the capitalists upon whom they
depend for carrying it ou t; will it be favorably regarded by the council
o f state, strangers as they are, by the nature o f their avocations, to the
ordinary course o f commercial operations ? Will these councillors, with
so many other objects to claim their attention, give to the examination of
the plan submitted to them, and in which they feel no interest, the same
care that has been given to it by the projectors, or the same that they
would give to one that directly affected their own interests ? Can the
parties interested make themselves heard and understood in this council,
placed, as it is, so far above, and so distant from them ? for Paris is not
France ! Can they ever reasonably hope to do so ? Whatever may be
the object in view, unless, perchance, the establishment o f one o f those
rare institutions called for by unanimous public opinion, it is obvious that
their chance is small, and yet it is with this minimum o f chance that they
have to commence their operations. Such a prospect is surely enough to
make even the boldest hesitate, and to stifle in the germ the major part
o f the conceptions, however valuable, that would require the aid o f such
associations to carry them into effect.
* It will be seen that the course of things here described, resembles very much that in
several of the states, particularly in those south of New England, where charters are
deemed privileges to be granted to the few, while the many are debarred from availing
themselves of the advantages derived from this particular mode of trading. [Translator.




Com mercial A ssociations o f F rance and E ngland.

419

Suppose, in the face o f all these difficulties, the projectors to decide
resolutely to attempt to carry out their scheme. T o do so, they must
commence by the devotion o f their time and their labor ; they must adopt
measures that are both tedious and expensive, and this they must do with
a perfect knowledge that it is likely to be both time and money wasted.
Even this, however, is not all. The necessity for this application to the
council o f state gives rise to new difficulties o f a very serious kind.
With whom should they commence ? the capitalists? or the council o f
state ? I f their project be submitted without a previous subscription o f the
capital, the council will refuse, and perhaps with reason, to hear them ;
for how could they come to any decision in regard to an association in its
embryo state, o f the direction or extent o f which they must be entirely
ignorant ? I f the application be first made to capitalists, what reason can
be offered to induce them to second their views ? It is not sufficient to
inform them o f the object in view— of the nature o f the plan— and to offer
them the management; there are other difficulties to be overcome. They
find in the minds o f those persons whose aid is so much desired, the
same doubts that had existed in their own, and they receive probably this
answer— “ Your project is excellent, and your plans are well arranged,
but can you obtain the consent o f the council o f state ?” This objection
meets them everywhere, and what reply can they make ? T o those who
are familiar with the caprices o f capitalists, (we trust they will pardon us
the word,) and who know how weak are frequently the reasons by which
they are prevented from engaging in the most useful undertakings, it is
unnecessary to say that this objection constitutes one o f the most serious
obstacles to the formation o f such associations.
T o obtain the approbation o f the council, or even the right o f present­
ing themselves at its bar, the projectors must first obtain a subscription
o f the capital, and this is an indispensable condition; but, to induce the
capitalist to subscribe, they must first obtain the assent o f the council, and
this is equally indispensable ; and thus they find themselves inclosed in a
circle beyond which they cannot pass. In what manner then can their
object be attained ? It is difficult to answer this question, but most easy
to see that to impose such restrictions upon the exercise o f any right, is
almost equal to its utter annihilation.
Thus far, we have not referred, in any manner, to the spirit which the
council may be disposed to exercise its extensive powers, should the pro­
jectors be so fortunate as to place themselves in a position to entitle them
to be heard. The bare idea of an application to it is sufficient to alarm
most persons, particularly those o f the provinces, to whom a council of
state would seem to be an almost unapproachable tribunal. When before
it, they will find it far more strict than necessity requires, it being accus­
tomed to extend its control much further than would appear to be war­
ranted by the nature o f its functions. It should be sufficient for it to be
satisfied that what is proposed to be done is offered in good faith, without
inquiring into the probability o f success, o f which the parties themselves
should be permitted to be the sober judges ; and it would be well if they
would learn thus to limit the sphere o f their inquiries. I f the reader feel
desirous o f being enlightened as to the manner o f proceeding, he will find
some curious details in the work o f M. Yincens, before referred to. W e
regret much that the passage is too long for quotation. After having read
it, he will ask himself by what extraordinary fortune is it that such an as­




420

Com mercial Associations o f F rance and E ngland.

sociation does now and then see the light, having extricated itself from
the extraordinary net-work in which it had been enveloped.
What then is the societe anmyme in France ? Is it a form o f associa­
tion that may be made useful for the purposes o f trade, or o f manufacture ?
Certainly not. It is one that is reserved to be granted as a privilege to
certain extraordinary undertakings, recommended by their magnitude, or
their striking character. These alone can present themselves before the
council with any chance o f success; regarding these projects, public
opinion is already formed, and who can calculate upon powerful support
from persons in and out o f office. Undertakings o f this description are
not very numerous ; and however great their importance in the particular
cases to which they are applied, they are, taken collective!}', less import­
ant than that great mass o f operations o f a secondary character, or rather
o f those whose utility, however great, is less obvious to the eyes o f the
world at large, and, consequently, less accurately appreciated, to which
this mode o f association is entirely prohibited. For still stronger reasons,
the adoption of this form is rendered impracticable in the case o f those
bold enterprises, the object o f which, is the opening o f distant markets,
and to which it seems peculiarly applicable ; for with what chance of
success could their assent to the formation o f such a company be asked of
a council o f state, whose avowed object is the enforcement o f care and
circumspection ?
Under such circumstances, as might readily have been foreseen would
be the case, the habit o f association has made but little progress in France,
and trade has benefited but little by it. In fact, until within a few years,
when it has passed the barriers attempted to be fixed by the law, we could
scarcely form an idea, from what was to be seen among us, o f the result
that might be obtained from an union o f forces. Even now, how few in
number are the companies with transferable stock that are scattered here
and there about us ! In England, under more favorable circumstances,
though still transcribed by the law, this habit has extended itself almost
universally throughout society, and has been productive o f a vast increase
o f power. The number o f associations with transferable stock is almost
incalculable, and the imagination is confounded by the mass o f capital
which they represent, the extent o f liberty which they enjoy, and the
wonders they have produced. Such likewise is the case in the United
States. Without referring to their almost innumerable banks, held in
shares, every place o f any importance presents to our view a mass o f as­
sociations for almost every conceivable purpose, many o f which are of
gigantic extent. They are also to be found in the smaller cities, the
towns, and the villages, and everywhere aiding and stimulating individual
exertion. In some cases they are limited to the performance o f this duty,
while in others their character is more exclusive, but in all they are found
aiding, by their activity, their great resources, and the facilities they af­
ford, to the productive power, and consequently to the national wealth.
H ow wonderful is here the development o f this great principle, and how
infinitely does France fall behind these nations therein !




The Corn Trade o f the United States.

421

A kt. II.— T H E CORN T R A D E OF T H E U N ITED ST A T E S .
A m ong the subjects which engross the public mind at the present day,

no one, perhaps, is exciting more attention than the corn trade. The pe­
cuniary interest o f thousands on both sides o f the Atlantic is involved in
a greater or less degree in this question. Nor is this all. The philan­
thropist regards this subject as bearing immediately upon the comfort—
the welfare o f the laboring classes, especially in Great Britain. The
position that the necessaries o f life should be multiplied as far as possible,
and should be afforded to the poor at the lowest remunerating prices, will
commend itself, not only to the sympathy, but to the judgment o f the com­
munity. The political economist and the philanthropist may well turn
their attention to this important subject, and probably their inquiries would
lead them to the same result, viz., that bread, which has justly been de­
nominated the “ staff o f life,” is not the most suitable subject for severe
commercial restrictions.
But it is not our purpose to dwell upon this view o f the subject. Our
inquiry relates rather to the corn trade o f the United States. In treating
upon this subject, we shall naturally speak o f the foreign market, and o f
the effect o f the English corn laws upon this branch o f our trade.
The United States are becoming a great agricultural people. W e
have no means o f ascertaining the amount o f grain produced in the coun­
try before the year 1840, when those who were employed to take the
census, returned the amount o f grain raised in the several states. It appears by these returns, that there were produced in the United States, in
1840,84,823,700 bushels o f wheat, 377,531,800 bushels o f Indian corn, and
153,170,200 bushels o f other grains. But, according to the agricultural
report made to Congress by the Hon. H. L. Ellsworth, Commissioner o f
Patents, in 1844, there were grown in the United States, in 1843,
100.310.000 bushels o f wheat, 496,618,000 bushels o f Indian corn, and
181.390.000 bushels o f other grains. The population o f the United States,
in 1840, was 17,069,400, and the estimated population, in 1843, was
19,183,500. From this comparison, it appears that the quantity o f grain
produced, hardly keeps pace with the increase o f our population. This
probably arises from the fact, that some o f the old wheat lands are be­
coming exhausted, and a large per cent o f our population is embarking in
manufactures and the mechanic arts. This cause will continue to operate,
so that, if our present protective policy remains unchanged, our produc­
tion o f bread-stuff will hardly keep pace with the increase o f our popula­
tion. Not that there is necessarily any inability to keep up this product;
but the want o f a market, and the national tendency o f industrial pursuits,
will prevent the growth o f our surplus.
O f the 100,310,000 bushels o f wheat, now produced in the country, fif­
teen-sixteenths are consumed at home, and the remaining sixteenth is
sent to foreign countries. O f this product o f 100,300,000 bushels o f
wheat, about one-seventh will be required for seed, which will bring the
amount down to 85,973,000 bushels; from this, if we take one-sixteenth
o f the whole crop, it will reduce the quantity for home consumption to
79.705.000 bushels. On this estimate, which cannot be far from the
truth, we consume 79,705,000 bushels, and export, either in wheat or its
equivalent in flour, 6,268,000 bushels annually. I f we were to divide the
79.705.000 bushels by our population, 19,138,500, it would give 4 16-100
bushels to each person in the country. It is perfectly obvious, however




422

The C om T rade o f the United States.

that this is more than is consumed per head in some parts o f the country,
and less than what is consumed in others. Among the population engaged
in commerce, manufactures, and the mechanic arts, we may safely esti­
mate the consumption per head at 5 bushels o f wheat, or its equivalent in
flour. The same may be said o f the population in the strictly wheat
growing districts. These would comprehend nearly three-fifths o f our
entire population, and would consume some 57,415,000 bushels, leaving the
other two-fifths nearly 3 bushels o f wheat per head. There are, however,
some portions o f our country, where the farming population make use o f
Indian corn and rye for bread, and hence would not consume as much as
3 bushels o f wheat per head. This is particularly true o f the black
population o f the south. But, on the other hand, those employed as
sailors, fishermen, & c., would require more than a barrel o f flour, or 5
bushels o f wheat a year. For instance, a soldier’s ration, o f a pound o f
flour per day, would amount to 1 6-7 barrel per year. Besides, there is
a considerable quantity o f flour consumed annually for starch, sizing, and
manufacturing purposes.
Though the quantity o f wheat grown in the country has increased con­
siderably within the last half dozen years, the consumption in the coun­
try has increased in about the same ratio, so that the surplus for foreign
export now is hardly greater than it was in 1831. Thousands who, ten
years ago, consumed rye and Indian almost exclusively, now make wheat
their principal bread-stuff, and this tendency is rapidly increasing. W e
venture, therefore, to predict that, if our present tariff policy remains un­
disturbed, the quantity o f wheat or flour for foreign export from the United
States, will hardly be more than it is at present. In our remarks upon
the corn trade o f the United States, we shall confine ourselves almost ex­
clusively to wheat and wheat flour. The other grains are not exported
to any great extent. Oats are annually brought into the country, and
the same is true o f potatoes; which, though they do not come under the
designation o f grain, are used for nearly the same purpose. There is an
export o f Indian corn and Indian meal, on an average, for the last fourteen years, o f about 1,400,000 bushels, being in value $890,000, as will
be seen below.
The following table will show the amount and value o f Indian corn
and meal exported from the United States, from 1831,to 1844, inclusive;
also the value o f the export to England during that period :—
Years.
Bush. corn.
1831,..
571,312
1832,..
451,230
487,174
1833,..
303,449
1834,..
1835,..
755,781
1836,..
124,791
151,276
1837,..
172,321
1838,..
1839,..
162,306
1840,..
572,279
1841,..
535,727
1842,..
600,308
1843,9 m., 672,608
1844,..
825,160

Value.
$369,617
278,740
337.505
203,573
588,276
103.702
147,982
141,992
141.095
338.333
312,954
345,150
281,749
404,008

Bbls. meal.
207,604
146,710
146,678
149,609
166,782
140,917
159,435
171,843
165,672
206,063
232,284
209,199
174,354
248,382

Value.
$595,434
480,035
534,309
491,910
629,389
621,560
763,652
722.399
658,421
705,183
682,457
617,817
454,166
641,028

Total value.
$965,051
758,775
871,814
695,483
1,217,665
725,262
911,637
864,391
799,516
1,043,516
995,411
962,967
635,915
1,045,030

A v......

$285,276

180,403

$614,125

$892,316

452,537




Val. of ex. of
corn it meal
to England.
$136,875
180
2,407
none.
230
none.
1,396
116
470
59,946
7,146
75,909
9
38,534
$24,515

The C om T rade o f the United States.

423

In the above table we have the amount and value o f Indian corn and.
corn meal exported for fourteen consecutive years. I f we divide this
period into two equal portions, o f seven years each, we shall see that,
during the first period, the average export o f corn was annually 406,430
bushels, and during the second period, 498,644 bushels ; and that the bar­
rels o f meal would average 159,693 annually, during the first seven years,
and 201,113 during the last. It will also be seen that the total value o f
the export o f corn and meal, during the first half o f the whole period,
would average $877,955 annually, and during the last half, $906,678. It
will be seen by the above, that the quantity o f corn and meal exported
has just about kept pace with our population; but the value o f these ex­
ports has fallen much below the increase o f our population. While the
population has increased, in seven years, about 22 per cent, the value o f
these exports has increased only about 3 per cent.
Another fact worthy o f notice in the corn trade is, that the export o f
wheat and Indian corn do not seem to be governed by the same laws.
From 1831 to 1832 the export o f wheat fell off four-fifths, while the In­
dian corn exported did not fell off one-half. In 1836, 1837, and 1838,
the export of wheat was merely nominal, while the import was over
5.500.000 bushels.
But, notwithstanding the wheat trade runs so
much against us, during those years we exported nearly the usual quantity
o f Indian meal, and the Indian corn did not fall off more than three-fourths.
It will also be seen that the quantity exported to England has been considerable since the year 1831. But the wheat trade o f the United States
is the trade to which we wish to call the attention o f the reader. Our
average export o f wheat and flour for the last fourteen years has amount­
ed to about 5,506,000 bushels, or 1,100,000 barrels, costing $6,233,500
on an annual average ; though during the same period we have imported
in wheat and flour about 463,400 bushels annually upon the average.
These imports were, however, mostly confined to the years 1835 to 1838,
inclusive. Below, we give a table o f exports and imports for the whole
period specified. By the table it will be seen that the greatest export
was in 1840, when we sent abroad 1,897,501 barrels o f flour, and
1,720,860 bushels o f wheat, valued at $11,779,098. With this single ex­
ception, our imports in 1831 were greater than they have been since.
The total value o f wheat and flour exported in 1831 was $10,461,715,
being a sum greater by $1,879,000 than the export o f wheat and flour,
any year since, with the exception above mentioned. It will also be seen
that, in 1837, we imported 4,000,000 bushels o f wheat, at a cost o f
$4,276,975. It will also be seen by a comparison o f imports and exports
that the trade in wheat is more fluctuating than that o f flour. In 1837,
when we imported about 4,000,000 bushels o f wheat, we exported about
320.000 barrels o f flour. This arose from the feet that our commerce is
so extensive that no one cause can at the same time effect our trade with
all the nations with which we have commercial intercourse.
The following table will show the exports and imports o f wheat and
wheat flour from and into the United States, with the value o f each, from
1831 to 1844, inclusive. In the column o f imports it is all put down as
wheat, though a part o f it was imported in flour; it is carried out as
wheat and reduced to bushels for convenience :—




The Corn Trade o f the United States.

424

E xports.

I m p o r ts .

Y ear.
1831,
1833,
1833,
1834,
1835,
1836,
1837,
1838,
1839,
1840,
1841,
1842,
1843*
1844,

J3bls. flour.
1,806,529
864,919
955,768
835,352
779,396
505,400
318,719
448,161
923,151
1,897,501
1,515,817
1,283,602
841,474
1,438,603

Value. Bush, wheat. Value.
Tot. val.
Bushels. Value.
§9,938,445 408,910 §523,270 §10,461,715
633
§699
93,500
4,880,623
88,304
4,974,123
1,191
1,180
5,613,010
32,221
29,592
5,642.602
1,716
1,697
4,520,781
36,948
39,598
1,295
4,560,379
1,307
47,762
4,394,777
51,405
4,446,182 311,805 268,623
3,572.599
2,062
2,062
3,574,561 650,629 565,500
27,206
3,014,415 4,000,000 4,276,976
2,987,209
17,303
3,603,299
6,291
8,125
3,617,724 927,180 940,838
6,925,170
96,325 144,191
7,069,361
41,725
57,747
1,069
1,436
10,143,615 1,720,860 1,635,483
11,779,098
900
652
7,759,616 868,585 822,881
8,582,527
2,796
7,375,356 817,953 916,616
4,153
8,292 308
8,542
3,763,073 311,685 264,109
4,027,182
12,121
6,732,488 558,607 500,410
7,232,898

Av.,.

1,029,593

§5,872,149

358,130 §361,317

§6,233,533

463,425 §463,529

From the exhibit contained in the above table, it will be seen that, for
the whole period o f fourteen years, our export o f wheat has not increased
so rapidly as our population. In 1831, with a population o f 13,000,000,
our export o f wheat and flour was §10,461;000. In 1840, when our
population was 17,000,000, our export o f the same articles amounted to
§11,779,000. I f the value o f our exports had kept pace with our popula­
tion, it would have amounted, in 1840, to 136,679,000, being nearly
§2,000,000 more than the actual export for that year. Thus, if we take
the two favored years within the whole period, we shall find that the value
o f exports from 1831 to 1840 has increased only about 12 per cent, while
the population increased about 30 per cent. Or if we take the period o f
five years, from 1840 to 1844, inclusive, we shall find the export to have
fallen off about 39 per cent, while the population has increased about 16
per cent. If the export had increased since 1840 at the same rate as the
population, it would, in 1844, have amounted to §13,500,000; or if the
export had increased with the population since 1831, it would, in 1844,
have amounted to §16,700,000, which is 130 per cent more than the
value actually exported.
From this view of the subject, it appears that our population is gaining
rapidly upon our exports. But we all know that there may be a fallacy
in reasoning from one particular year to another. There may be causes
which operate at particular times, which may not occur again ; and,
hence, no one comparison is decisive upon a subject o f this nature. The
export in 1831 was unusually large— larger by 43 per cent than the aver­
age for the two preceding years. This was owing to a partial failure
o f the crop, in Great Britain, one o f our principal markets ; and conse­
quently the increased price. But, from 1832 to 1838, as we learn from
Tooke, a standard writer upon prices, the crops in Great Britain were so
abundant, that she produced all that was necessary for home consumption
— nay, so great was the supply, that wheat was given to domestic ani­
mals, and used for distillation. This circumstance induced the farmers to
sow less, and the succession o f two or three unfavorable seasons reduced
the quantity and increased the price. During this scarcity in Great Bri­
tain, and on the continent generally, the crops in this country were un­
usually good ; and hence the large export in 1840. These statements,
* The commercial year 1843 consists of only three quarters, or nine months.




425

The Corn T rade o f the United States.

made on the best authority, are confirmed by the prices o f wheat in Eng.
land during the period spoken of. The price o f wheat in Great Britain
in different years has been as follows :—
s. d.
In 1830,.........
1831,........ ........... 66 4
1832,........ ........... 58 8
1833,........ ........... 52 11
1834.......... ........... 46 2
1835,.........
1836,
..................
............ 48 6
1837,
..................
............ 55 10

((
it
i(
it
it
“

In 1839,........... .......
1839,........... .......
1840,........... .......
1841,
. .......
1842,
.. .......
1843,.......... .......
1844............ .......

s.
64
70
67
64
56
48
49

d.
7 per quarter
it
8
ti
4
it
4
if
8
tt
0
if

0

(«

This view o f the prices in Great Britain will serve to show in some dedree, why our exports were greater in 1831 and 1840 than ordinary.
From every view we are able to take o f this important subject, we are
confirmed in the position which we have already taken— that our surplus
o f wheat and flour for foreign transportation does not increase so rapidly
as our population. And, as we have before said, if the present protective
policy of the country should continue, wo doubt whether our export will
increase at,j all. As manufactures and the mechanic arts increase, the
home consumption will keep pace with the increase of population. B e­
sides, we all know, that for the last five or six years our crops have been
unsually good. But this will not always last. W e may naturally expect
that a succession o f small crops may follow a succession o f large ones ;
and even a considerable falling off in the crop for a single year would ef­
fect our exports for at least two years.
The impression seems to be very general among us, that the market
o f Great Britain is the principal one for our bread-stuffs; and hence we
hear such bitter complaints o f the English corn law. But we apprehend
that the importance o f the English market is greatly overrated. For the
last fourteen years, our average export of flour has been 1,029,593 barrels,
while our export to Great Britain during the same period has been only
about 170,000 barrels, being less than one-sixth o f the whole amount;
and the same is true o f the export o f wheat. W e give below a table o f
exports o f wheat and flour to the principal markets for the last thirteen
years, together with the total export to all foreign markets for the same
period.
Table o f Exports o f Wheat and Flour to the principal markets, together with the total
exports to all foreign markets, for thirteen consecutive years.
E

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

Average,.

ngland.

I3 r . A

m e r ic a n

Bush, w heat.

Bbls. flour.

Bush, wheat.

3 6 2 ,1 5 3
5 5 ,0 5 0

8 6 5 ,7 4 4
9 5 ,8 6 8
2 1 ,7 0 7
1 9 ,4 8 7
5 ,3 7 6
161

1 2 ,5 0 5
2 0 ,7 7 7
3 1 ,4 2 1
2 3 ,2 4 7

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

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

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

9 9 ,5 0 2

1 7 0 ,3 2 7

2 2 1 ,4 9 8




2 ,C 8 2

-C olon ies .

C

uba.

Bbls. flour. Bush, wheat. Bbls. fir.
1 5 0 ,7 9 5
1 3 5 ,6 4 0
1 6 8 ,1 2 7
1 3 4 ,9 7 5
7 6 ,4 0 5
4 2 ,3 0 0
2 3 ,3 1 6
2 9 ,5 9 1
1 4 9 ,4 0 7
4 3 2 ,3 5 6
3 7 7 ,8 0 6
3 6 9 ,0 4 8
1 9 0 ,3 2 2
1 7 5 ,3 9 1

.....

788
4 ,1 7 9

382

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

426

Years.
1831,.......
1832,.......
1833,.......
1834,.......
1835,.......
1836,.......
1837,.......
1838,.......
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842,.......
1843,.......
Average,.

The Corn Trade o f the United Stales.
T a b l e — Continued.
Brazil.
British West Indies. Tot. Ex. to all For. m’kts.
Bush, wheat. Bbls. flour. Bush, wheat. Bbls. flour. Bush, wheat. Bbls. flour.
198,870
100,382
408,445
1,806,529
103,289
100,167
83,304
864,919
259,536
32,221
100,057
955,768
152,603
95,816
36,948
835,352
161,460
118,307
47,762
779,396
118,470
2,062
70,305
2,062
505,400
60,480
68,323
17,303
318,719
125,275
137
75,524
6,291
448,161
14,129
139,340
923,151
177,337
96,325
33,743
1,897,501
197,823
232,329 1,720,860
16,457
282,406
41,116
246,465
868,585
1,515,817
14,920
237,478
1,283,602
189,317
817,958
17,399
311,685
192,454
841,474
170,577

1,266

170,716

_ 9,500

135,005

342,709

997,771

By the above table it will be seen that the market o f England is, by no
means, our only market for bread-stuffs. During this period Brazil has
taken, upon an average, 289 barrels o f flour more than England, and
Cuba has taken nearly half as much as England. W e have sent, in the
same period, the annual average o f 5,062 barrels more to the British
American colonies than to England herself, and the British West Indies
have taken only about 26 per cent less than the mother country. It appears, by this tabular view o f our exports, that England has, during this
period, taken only 17 per cent o f our export of flour, and about 29 per
cent o f our export o f wheat. But it is obvious that a portion o f wheat
and flour sent to the British American colonies, finds its way into Great
Britain. By the British tables it will be seen that the excess o f wheat
brought into England from her American Colonies, over the amount sent
from England to these colonies, would average, from 1829 to 1842, in­
clusive, 152,429 bushels a year, and that the excess o f flour would aver­
age 51,608 barrels. By adding this to the quantity which we have sent
direct to England, it would make the average o f wheat 251,931 bushels,
and flour 221,935 barrels. It is, however, probably true that, in 1843
and 1844, the proportion o f wheat and flour which have gone to England
through Canada, has been somewhat greater than in preceding years.
W e might safely estimate the average o f wheat up to this present time at
260,000 bushels, and the flour at 240,000 barrels. According to this es­
timate, about 76 per cent o f our whole export o f wheat, and about 24 per
o f our exports o f flour, goes to the British market.
Since Great Britain is our greatest market for bread-stuffs, it becomes
important to inquire, what are the prospects with reference to this mar­
ket in future ? The present consumption o f Great Britain may be esti­
mated at 125,000,000 bushels o f wheat, or its equivalent in flour. The
quantity o f wheat and flour imported for home consumption, from 1829
to 1842, inclusive, would average 10,352,500 bushels annually; and o f
this, the average o f 727,126 bushels came from her colonies— leaving the
annual average o f 9,625,370 bushels imported from foreign nations. But
the average importations into Great Britain for home consumption, for
the last five years, has been, from foreign nations, 19,148,265 bushels an­
nually, and from her colonies 1,008,190 bushels annually— making a total
average o f 20,156,455 bushels. When we take into view the vast im­
provements in English agriculture which are now going on, it is safe to




The Corn Trade o f the United States.

427

say that her grain crop keeps pace with her population. Drummond, an
approved English writer, in a work recently published in London, tells
us that, owing to the advantages o f a new machine, seed is sown less
thickly than formerly, which, of itself, will supply some five or six millions
o f bushels o f the deficiency o f her wheat crop. I f this be true, it is an
important fact in relation to her demand upon foreign nations for a sup.
ply. This saving o f seed will be equal to about one-fourth o f her deficit,
and about four times as much as our whole export to England, direct,
and through her colonies.
The following table, showing the imports o f wheat and flour into Great
Britain for home consumption for fourteen years, is taken from a report
made to the Parliament in 1843 :—
Y ears.
1829,...................
1830....................
1831....................
1832,...................
1833,...................
1834....................
1835....................
1836,...................
1837,...................
1838,...................
1839....................
1840,...................
1841,...................
1842.................... —Average,..

Foreign.
Bushels.
11,504,768
13,338,304
10,952,352
1,510,160
10,560
2,320
960
8,360
1,686,176
14,550,624
21,591,848
18,291,096
19,105,264
22,202,512

Colonial.
Bushels.
68,840
484,472
1,101,568
1,551,880
661,648
517,472
227,440
232,496
293,000
237,176
101,936
910,392
2,076,808
1,714,648

Total.
Bushels.
11,572,608
13,822,776
12,053,920
3,062,040
672,208
519,792
228,400
240,856
1,979,176
14,787,800
21,693,784
19,201,488
21,182,072
23,917,160

9;625,378

727,126

10,352,504

From this table it appears that, for the last five years, she has imported
on an average 20,000,000 bushels o f wheat, or its equivalent in flour. O f
this 20,000,000 bushels, about one-twentieth only is from the United
States direct; or if we add to this what finds its way into Great Britain
through Canada, it would not amount to more than one-tenth. The
amount sent to England from the principal grain growing nations, in 1841,
will be seen below.
There were imported into Great Britain, in 1841, 22,617,500 bushels o f
wheat, or its equivalent in flour, from the different nations as follow :—
Russia,............... .......................................... .....................bushels
Sweden,...........................................................................................
Denmark,........................................................................................
Prussia,...........................................................................................
Germany,........................................................................................
Holland,..........................................................................................
Belgium,.........................................................................................
France,...........................................................................................
Italy and Islands,..........................................................................
United States,................................................................................
Colonies and other nations,.........................................................

498,205
4,410
1,915,272
7,134,400
5,295,674
815,964
228,620
1,643,932
901,600
1,107,840
3,071,583

Here we have the quantity o f wheat and flour (in bushels) brought into
England in 1841. W e have selected that year, as furnishing a fair average
o f the imports into England for the last five years, and, at least, a fair
average o f our exports abroad and to that kingdom. It will be seen that




428

The C om T rade o f the United States.

Russia supplies nearly half as much as the United States, that Holland
supplies more than three-fourths as much, and that Italy and the Italian
islands nearly as much ; while France supplies about 48 per cent, Denmark
72 per cent, Germany 378 percent, and Prussia 544 per cent, more than
the United States. It is true that, if we include the grain which reaches
Great Britain through Canada, our supply o f the English market will be
much greater. But even then, it would not amount to more than onetenth o f the English supply. Nor have we any good reason to believe
that our export to Great Britain will materially increase. W e have al­
ready alluded to the fact that the agriculture o f Great Britain was im­
proving more rapidly than the agriculture o f this country. The improved
mode o f seeding will supply a part o f her deficiency. Besides, the wheat
crop in England, in 1844, has been better than the average, while in this
country there has been a falling off of, at least, 5,000,000 bushels.
England now obtains her supply, and, in all probability, will continue
to obtain it principally from the continent. The north o f Europe pos­
sesses several advantages over us in the trade with Great Britain. L a­
bor is so exceedingly cheap, (being about one shilling per day, without
board,) that they can undersell us in almost any production. The follow­
ing are the prices o f wheat per quarter at the principal European marts,
for a series of years.
General

Year.
1830,.......
1831,.......
1832,.......
1833,.......
1834,.......
1835.........
1836,.......
1837.........
1833,.......
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842,.......
Average,.

33

8

By the foregoing
per bushel, during
burg, 96 cents ; at
Odessa, 67 cents;
bushel.
The

Hamburg.
s. d.
34 9
43 5
34 2
25 3
24 7
23 0
28 11
28 8
42 8
48 0
47 0
36 0
40 5

Dantzic.
s. d.
38 ii
42 n
34 0
30 3
25 5
22 2
25 3
26 G
34 7
34 8
39 0
44 9
40 1

p r ic e

Amsterdam.
s. d.
41 4
42 1
40 2
32 0
24 0
28 1
28 0
29 10
44 0
49 0
40 0
39 0
40 7

Antwerp.
s. d.
34 8
39 2
32 10
20 0
18 9
19 9
25 3
25 7
36 0
54 0
50 0
54 0
53 0

Odessa.
s. d.
24 10
26 0
22 8
26 10
28 0
21 0
18 11
18 5
23 8
29 0
25 10
26 10
23 8

average.
s. d.
34 10
38 8
32 9
26 10
24 1
22 9
25 3
25 9
38 2
42 4
40 4
40 3
39 2

24 3
33 3
35 1
36 11
35 6
table it will be seen that the average price o f wheat
the period named, at Dantzic, is 92 cents ; at Ham­
Amsterdam, 101 cents ; at Antwerp, 97 cents ; at
and that the general average amounts 90 cents per

o f w h e a t at o u r p o rts,

d u r in g

th e

sam e

p e r io d , w a s

as

f o l l o w s :—
la

18 3 0 ,.............
18 31.............. .............
1 8 3 2 ,............. .............
1 8 3 3 ,............. .............
1 8 3 4 ,............ .............
18 35.............. .............
1S 36,............. .............

1
1
1
1
1
1

18
15
13
08
19
44

(t
U
M
((
tl
((

In 1 8 3 7 ,..........
1 8 3 8 ,..........
1 8 3 9 ............ .............
1 8 4 0 ,.......... .............
1 8 4 1 ............
1 8 4 2 ............ .............

1 42
1 10
1 16

The average of the above prices is $1 26 per bushel, being 36 cents
more per bushel at our ports, than at the above-mentioned ports in Eu­
rope.




The Corn Trade o f the United States.

429

From this comparison o f prices, it will be seen that the odds are fearful­
ly against us. How then can we compete with the north o f Europe 1 Cer­
tainly, not in the first cost o f the grain. And how is it with transporta­
tion or freight ? Have we the advantage of them in this respect ? By of­
ficial documents laid before the British Parliament it appears that, during
the above period, the freight from these ports to Great Britain was, on
an average, 11 cents per bushel. Mr. Ellsworth, in his report to Con­
gress, in 1843, estimates the freight from our ports to England at 35 or
36 cents per cwt. Wheat cannot weigh less than 56 lbs. per bushel,
and hence cannot be freighted to England for less than 17 or 18 cents
per bushel. The difference in freight and in first cost, would make a
balance against us o f 42 cents per bushel. But, as the year 1838 was
one o f uncommonly high prices for grain in this country, we will omit
that year in our estimate, which will reduce this balance down to about
37 cents per bushel; and from this we should deduct about 9 cents as the
difference o f exchange, which would bring the difference down to 28
cents on the bushel.
It may, perhaps, be thought that we prove too much, and show from
this data that we can send no grain to Great Britain. But every practi­
cal man knows that, in the course o f trade, articles will be imported or ex­
ported from one country to another when the prices in the two countries
would seem to forbid it. Our merchants are frequently indebted abroad,
and must send forward something to meet their payments. Ships are fre­
quently going out with but a partial cargo, and will take freight exceed­
ingly low. And besides, our wheat is generally sent to England in the
form o f flour, thereby reducing weight and the cost o f transportation some
18 per cent. These are the causes which come in and neutralize the
difference in prices, so as to enable us to send our wheat and flour to the
mother country. W e mention these things to show that our corn trade with
Great Britain is, after all, rather the result o f accidental causes than
otherwise. It has been so for years past, and will be so for years to come.
During the years 1843 and 1844, wheat has been cheaper in this
country than it has been before for a great number o f years, ranging
from 90 cents to 1 dollar, making an average o f 95 cents per bushel.
During this period, the prices in Europe have been proportionably low.
During last autumn, the price o f wheat at Dantzic was only 75 cents ; at
Hamburg, 82 cents ; at Rostack, 77 cents, free on board ; at Odessa, 50
cents, free on board. The English consul writes from Odessa at the
close o f 1842 as follows :— “ Under the present circumstances— extraor­
dinary low freight, and favorable exchange— a shipment o f the best wheat
could now be made and delivered in England on the following terms,
v iz :—
s.

d.

First, cost,...........................................................
Charge for loading,..........................................
Freight,...............................................................
Insurance and factorage in England,............

22
2
6
4

6 per quarter.
5
“
7
“
0
“

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

35

6 per quarter.”

According to this estimate, wheat from the Black sea can be sold in
England at 97 cents per bushel, and since that period wheat at Odessa
has fallen 12 or 15 cents per bushel. The Farmers’ Magazine, publish­




430

T he Corn T rade o f the United States.

ed in London, for January, 1845, informs us that, up to the last o f Novem­
ber, there had been shipped from Dantzic to Great Britain 2,365,544
bushels o f wheat, which could be bought for from 70 to 82 cents, and
shipped for 11 cents, enabling them to sell it in England for 87 cents per
bushel free o f duty ; and that wheat from Odessa could be sold in Great
Britain, independent o f the duty, for from 75 to 80 cents per bushel.
With such competitors we have no great reason to expect that our com
trade with Great Britain will increase. Nor is there any occasion for an
increase. Our surplus, as we have already remaked, is about stationary,
and we are perpetually seeking new markets abroad, where we dispose
o f some o f our bread-stuffs. Nor is it probable that the demand in E ng­
land will increase. England now requires only about 20,000,000 bushels
annually, and the Parliament reports show that the continent can supply
the whole o f that amount.
W e have been the more particular upon this branch o f the subject, be­
cause an impression seems to be somewhat general, especially in the
grain growing states, that, if Great Britain would repeal her corn laws,
we should supply her whole market. But how such a repeal could give
us the English market, is more than we can comprehend. The prices on
the continent are lower, as we have seen, than they are in this country,
and freight is less from the Baltic and North sea than from the United
States. It is true that her population would consume more wheat, if the
price were reduced by the repeal o f her restrictions. But the grain grow­
ing states in the north o f Europe can easily increase their product with
the English demand. Another effect o f the repeal o f the corn laws upon
our country would be this. By reducing the price o f living in Great
Britain, it would reduce the price o f labor, and so enable the manufac­
turers to produce their fabrics at a less price. The effect o f this would
be to break down our own manufactures, and thereby destroy the home
market for the corn and wheat o f the grain growing states.
But we need not speculate upon the effect o f the repeal o f the corn
laws. These laws will not be repealed. When this subject was brought
before Parliament, in June last, it was voted down by an overwhelming
majority— 328 to 124, being a majority o f 204. With this fact before
us, we may rest assured that Great Britain will not depart from her present policy. Nor have we, as a nation, any reason to desire such a re­
peal. With the present system we enjoy a kind o f monopoly in the corn
trade. W e can send our wheat into Canada for a mere nominal duty,
where it is ground, and then sent to England on the favored terms o f colonial flour. This trade through Canada is increasing. The London Far­
mers’ Magazine, for August, 1844, says that 300,000 barrels o f flour may
be expected from Montreal in the shipping season, being about three times
the usual quantity. This flour pays only a nominal duty o f about 19 cents
per barrel, while the same flour sent from this country would be subjected
to a duty o f $ l 13 per barrel. This privilege o f the Canadian trade is
worth more to us than a repeal o f the corn laws. This trade is increas­
ing, and in a few years will probably become an object o f great import­
ance to us.
But, after all, the home market is the great market for our bread-stuff.
What becomes o f the vast amount o f wheat that is grown in the country ?
The product, we have already seen, is about 100,000,000 bushels, and
only about 6,300,000 bushels are sent abroad. The state o f Ohio alone




The Corn Trade o f the United States.

431

produces three times as much as we export annually; and the little state
o f Delaware produces twice as much Indian corn as our annual export.
It is not possible to state the exact amount o f wheat which is consumed
in the country by those engaged in other pursuits than agriculture. I f
we take those engaged in manufactures and trades, in mining, in the
fisheries, in all their forms, in commerce and navigation in all their vari­
eties, and the learned professions, with their families and dependants, it
would amount to one-quarter o f our population, viz.— 5,000,000 persons,
who are not producers, but consumers o f bread-stuffs. These will con­
sume one barrel o f flour, or five bushels o f wheat per head— making a
constant market for 25,000,000 bushels o f wheat, equal to about onefourth o f our whole product. The N ew England states alone consume
annually 1,400,000 barrels o f flour, or 7,000,000 bushels o f wheat more
than they produce ; which is about 700,000 bushels more than our entire
export.
From this view o f the subject, it will be seen that the great object o f
the grain growing states is to cherish our home market. Any policy
which builds up manufactures, which encourages the mechanic arts, and
multiplies callings and increases the number which engages in them— in
a word, that policy which diverts labor from agriculture, promotes the in­
terests o f the farmer. Agricultural products are so abundant that they
hardly command renumerating prices. Let a portion o f our population
now engaged in that calling be diverted to other pursuits, and the neces­
sary effect would be to increase the price o f agricultural products, and so
give the yeomanry o f the country a greater reward for their toil.
The value o f our corn trade is, we are confident, greatly overrated by the
thousands. That the reader may see the relative value o f several o f our
exports for a series o f years, we will give below the amount in separate
columns.
E xpor ts

or

se v er al

1831,.......
1832,.......
1833,.......
1834.........
1835........
1836,.......
1837,.......
1838,.......
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842........
1843,.......

Fisheries.
Value.
$1,889,472
2,558,538
2,402,469
2,071,493
2,174,524
2,660,058
2,711,452
3,175,576
1,917,968
3,198,370
2,846,851
2,823,610
2,112,548

Average,.

2,503,763

Year.

1821 t o 1843, in cl u sive .
Other
Wheat
manufactures.
and flour.
Value.
Value.
$4,677,886 $10,461,715
4,194,440
4,974,123
4,355,712
5,642,602
4,627,391
4,560,379
4,079,308
4,446,182
4,660,014
3,574,561
4,980,375
3,014,415
5,251,603
3,617,724
7,069,361
5,044,138
7,064,160
11,779,098
7,653,040
8,582,527
8,292,308
6,799,167
4,131,176
4,027,182

A r t ic l e s of D om estic P rodu c tio n , f r o m

Cotton
Beef and pork.* Piece Goods.
Value.
Value.
$2,596,422
$1,126,313
2,993,103
1,229,574
3,368,086
2,532,517
2,741,319
2,085,994
2,858,681
2,580,102
2,196,493
2,255,734
1,981,118
2,831,473
1,998,768
3,758,755
2,276,426
2,975,033
2,729,026
3,549,607
4,031,270
3,122,546
2,970,690
4,230,226
3,223,550
3,721,937
2,880,330

2,655,420

5,116,031

6,149,397

It will be seen by the above table, that wheat and flour, which seem to
be regarded as the great and almost the only article o f export, except
cotton and tobacco, averages only about $6,000,000— less than two and
a half times as much as either the fisheries, beef and pork, or cotton piece
goods. It will also be seen that the average o f manufactures exported,
* Including tallow, butter, cheese, lard, bacon, hams, &c., &c.




432

The E rie Canal Enlargem ent.

exceeds the average o f wheat and flour by more than $1,500,000; and
that, for the last two years, cotton piece goods alone have amounted to
more than half as much as the export o f wheat and flour. W e have taken
the divisions or classification o f exports as we find them in the Commer­
cial Document; but it is evident that many other articles than those set
down as manufactures might, with perfect propriety, be classed under that
head. W e will take the year 1842 as an example. Spermaceti candles,
$318,997, are placed under the head o f fisheries ; boards, shingles, staves
and hewn timber, $2,203,537; all manufactures o f wood, $623,718 ; tar,
pitch, rosin and turpentine, $743,329; pot and pearl ashes, $882,741;
are placed under the head o f products o f the forest. It is manifest, how­
ever, that some o f these are strictly, and others substantially manufactured
articles ; and these, for that year, amounted to the sum of $4,228,993 ;
if these articles were added to the manufactures, it would make the value
o f manufactures exported annually, at least, one-third larger than the export o f wheat and flour. W e mention this fact, to show that our corn trade
with foreign nations is not o f a character so all-absorbing as some appear
to suppose. It is an important trade, it is true; but there are others
equally important.
The true policy for the United States, or for any people, is to supply
its own wants, and, as far as practicable, render itself independent o f fo­
reign nations. Our prosperity in peace, and our success in war, depend,
in a great degree, upon our ability to furnish for ourselves all that is ne­
cessary for our comfort and happiness— all that may contribute to our in­
dependence. W e have, within our extended territory and diversified cli­
mate, all the elements o f national wealth and greatness. I f we cultivate
the means which a merciful Providence has put within our reach, encour­
age our own industry, and develop our own resources, we shall be able
not only to produce the bread which we eat, but the clothing which wre
wear. And the prosperity o f the country depends upon the due encour­
agement o f all classes and callings— that they may prove co-workers to­
gether in the great cause o f national independence.
\

A kt. I l l — T H E ER IE C A N A L EN LARG EM EN T.

W hen the Erie canal was constructed, it was calculated that boats o f
thirty tons would be best adapted to its navigation ; such a boat it was ex­
pected would be drawn by one horse. The size o f the boat was to be seven
feet wide, draw three feet o f water, and be seventy-five feet long. In view
o f this kind o f boat, the locks were made ninety feet long, and fifteen feet
in width in the chamber, designed to pass two boats at a time. A model
boat on this plan was built and put in operation on the first opening o f the
middle section o f the canal. The model was taken from English canal
boats. It was doubtless considered that experience in England had led
to this, as best adapted to canal navigation. The model, however, was
never copied on the Erie canal. There would, probably, have been some
experimenting on the model plan, had not the first navigation o f the canal
been made with the Durham boats, that had been in use on the Mohawk
river. As soon as the canal was opened, these river boats, being ready,
entered the canal, and engaged more or less in its navigation. The




The E rie Canal Enlargement.

433

boats then built for the canal, followed more the form o f the river boats
than the model canal boat.
The consequence has been, that no boats have been used in the navigation o f this canal that would admit o f two passing a lock at the same
time. At the time the Erie canal was commenced, there were intelligent
men, who advanced the opinion, that it would not be capable o f accom­
modating the freight that would ultimately seek this channel for market.
W hen the subject o f dimensions was discussed by the canal commissioners
and engineers, they decided on the original size, as being, under all the
circumstances, best calculated to meet the interests o f the enterprise. The
novelty, at that time, o f such undertakings, the great magnitude o f the
work, and the incredulity o f a large portion o f the citizens as to its suc­
cess and usefulness, no doubt, produced a cautious action on the part o f
the commissioners in settling this question. The friends o f the enter­
prise were generally satisfied with their decision. Accustomed to view
the power o f a horse as sufficient to draw but half or three-quarters o f a
ton, an improvement that would increase his capacity to 30 tons, seemed
to reach all the economy that could be expected.
The dimensions o f this canal were 28 feet in width at bottom, 40 feet
at top water, and 4 feet deep.
The necessity o f economising the expenditures, and the want o f expe­
rience, led to many errors in the original construction o f this work.
Among these may be mentioned that o f laying the canal, to a great extent,
on a low level, as compared with the adjacent country, and the streams
that passed it. By this means, numerous small streams, and some large
ones, emptied their waters directly into the canal, and deposited more or
les3 o f sand, mud, and gravel on its bottom. This deposit had to be re­
moved mostly in the spring o f the year, before navigation was opened ;
and, being necessarily a difficult and expensive operation, was rarely
done so as to give the navigation the benefit o f a full depth o f water. The
location o f locks, particularly at Cohoes, and the narrow and crooked
channel o f the canal, at Little Falls, and other places, contribute much
to impair the navigation. Under these circumstances, the rapidly in­
creasing trade had so filled the canal, in 1833, that measures to improve
the navigation were required to meet its wants.
In May, 1834, the legislature authorised the canal commissioners to
double the locks between Albany and Syracuse. The commissioners,
during that season, had surveys and examinations made to carry out this
measure. This gave rise to a discussion o f the question, whether the
second set o f locks should not be adapted to a canal o f larger dimensions,
with such improvements in its general character as were practicable ?
At this time, no attention o f consequence appeared to have been given to
other considerations, than what was sufficient to afford the necessary ca­
pacity to the trade— economy in the traction o f boats was not generally
regarded. At that time, I was engaged as the engineer o f the Chenango
canal. The late governor, W m. C. Bouck, was, at that time, a canal
commissioner, and had charge o f that canal. With Mr. Bouck I had
frequent conversations in relation to the improvements contemplated on
the Erie canal. Having an intimate knowledge o f the greatest portion
o f the Erie canal, and knowing the necessity o f many improvements, it
appeared to me important that nothing should be done until the whole
subject was well considered. The trade had increased beyond the highVOL. X I I . — no. v.
27




434

The E rie Canal Enlargement.

est expectation o f its friends, and had every prospect o f going on increas­
ing for a long time to*come. It appeared to me that three considerations
were important to be kept in v ie w :— first, to provide a capacity that
would meet the ultimate wants o f the trade; second, to provide the most
economical transportation; and, third, to provide for a class o f boats that
could be towed safely and economically on the Hudson, thereby saving
the expense, delay, and loss consequent on transhipment.
Mr. Bouck took a deep interest in this enterprise, and requested m3
to investigate the question relating to economy o f transportation. In
January, 1835, I addressed a letter to him, giving the result o f my inves­
tigations. This letter he submitted to the canal committee o f the assem­
bly, who appended it to their report o f that session. In that letter, I en­
deavored to show that, on a canal o f 70 feet width at surface, and 7 feet
deep, with locks 16 feet wide, and 110 feet long in the chamber, the
power o f traction required would be about 53 per cent per ton— and that
the total cost o f transportation would be 50 per cent, or one half—o f that
required on the Erie canal at that time.
This investigation many persons were disposed to question, both at that
time and subsequently— denying that it would be realized in practice. I
have never known, however, that any one has entered into any investiga­
tions to prove its fallacy; nor have I ever doubted that this economy in
transportation, on the completion o f the enlargement on this scale, as
finally settled upon by the Canal Board, would be fully realized. So long,
however, as the work remains unfinished, the question in relation to this
canal cannot be practically settled.
But the value o f this kind of improvement has not escaped the vigilant
eye o f private enterprise. Incorporated companies have turned their at­
tention to it for the purpose o f increasing the capacity, and economising
the expense, o f transportation. The Delaware and Hudson Canal Com­
pany have carried an improvement o f this kind to such an extent as to
afford very interesting results. I will introduce their experiment with a
few general remarks on the Delaware and Hudson canal.
This canal commences at. tide water, at Rondout, near the west bank
o f the Hudson river, runs through Ulster, Sullivan, and part o f Orange
county, in this state, to the Delaware river, near Carpenter’s Point, a dis­
tance o f 60 miles, thence up the Delaware, about 22 miles, to the mouth
o f the Lackawaxen river; crossing the Delaware, it follows the valley o f
the Lackawaxen, in Pennsylvania, about 25 miles, to the village o f Honesdale. The total length is about 108 miles, and h a s-------feet lockage in
110 locks. At Honesdale, the canal meets the Carbondale railroad, by
which the coal o f the Lackawana valley is there brought to it. The
main object o f the canal was the coal trade. The canal was commenced
in 1825 ; in the fall o f 1829 it was opened for navigation ; about 8,000
tons o f coal were brought to market, through it, that year. That portion
o f the route lying in the valleys o f the Lackawaxen, Delaware, and lower
Rondout rivers, was o f a very difficult and expensive character for a
canal. Those valleys are narrow, and bounded by steep and high hills
— to a large extent, rock rising from the water’s edge to several hundred
feet in height. The enterprise, at the time the work was begun, required
the most energetic and persevering efforts to surmount the natural obsta­
cles it had to meet, and to sustain the means necessary, in the face o f a
strong public sentiment, which had arrayed itself against it.




The E rie Canal Enlargement.

435

It is but simple justice to the managers o f this work, to say they evffcced,
under great discouragements, an eminent degree o f devotion, ability and
perseverance, in completing a work that has conferred great benefits on
the city o f New York. Although other avenues to the coal fields o f
Pennsylvania have since been extensively opened, and the price o f coal
greatly reduced, it will be obvious, on the least reflection, that this ave­
nue, connecting with the tide water o f the Hudson, affords a highly im­
portant competitor to more distant channels, and must do much in regu­
lating the price o f that article. The canal was made generally 20 feet
wide on the bottom, 32 feet on the surface, (in some parts 36 feet,) and 4
feet depth o f water. The locks are 76 feet long between the gates, and
9 feet wide. It was designed for boats o f 30 tons. At the time it was
projected, it was not supposed its annual business would exceed 150,000
tons. In consequence o f the increasing demand for coal, and the import­
ance o f improving the means and the economy o f transit, the company
turned their attention, in 1842, to the subject o f enlarging their canal.
The plan submitted by R . F. Lord, Esq., their engineer, was to raise the
water one foot, making the canal 5 feet deep instead o f 4 feet. By this
proceeding, its top width would be increased from 32 feet to 35 or 36 feet,
according to the slope o f the banks. The cross section o f the water-way
o f the original canal was 104 square fe e t; and as enlarged, 137) to 140
square feet, according to the slope. Taking 139 as the average, the en­
larged section is about 36 per cent greater than the original section.
This plan o f enlargement was commenced in the latter part o f the .season
o f 1842. In the spring o f 1843, the work had progressed so far, that
they began to give the canal increased depth o f water. This course was
proceeded in by a gradual process, continuing through the season, but
not reaching'the full plan o f improvement during that year. From this
partial condition o f the alteration, the boats increased their average ton­
nage from 31 tons to 35 tons, in the year 1843. The quantity o f coal
brought down the canal that season, (1843,) was 227,605 tons. At the
opening o f navigation, in 1844, owing to the unsettled condition o f the
new work, and the effect o f frost on recently raised banks, the water was
not put on the full height to which it had been carried the fall previous.
As the season advanced, the water was gradually raised ; and, in autumn,
o f that year, was brought to the full depth o f 5 feet. There were three
classes o f boats used for navigating the canal that season (1844) :— First,
the old boats, without alteration; second, the old boats, raised, so as to
give them increased draft o f water ; and, third, new boats, built for the
enlargement.
The average tonnage o f the 1st class (for 1844) has been
36 t7o tons.
“
“
2d
“
“
39t2¥
“
“
3d
“
“
42|£
40/^The average for all the boats has been.................................
The total quantity o f coal brought down the past season
w as.............................................................................................. 251,000 tons.
The following will show the influence o f this improvement on the price
o f freight:—
The price per ton, in 1842, before the improvement was
brought into use, w as......................................................................
$1 34
The price, in 1844, the improvem nt fully in use only the
latter part o f the season,................................................................
0 97




436

The E rie Canal Enlargement.

T »is success has induced the company to decide on a further enlarge,
ment o f their work. The new boats, o f which 135 were in use during
the autumn, when the full depth o f water was enjoyed, carried 45 tons,
and upwards. The engineer has informed me, that these boats, during
the time the water was full height, were navigated by the same power
that had always been employed on the old boats, previous to the enlarge­
ment, to carry an average o f 31 tons— that is, by one horse. They have
a regulation on this canal, by which boats that perform their trips in nine
days are paid a higher price per ton than when a longer time is taken.
This rule has long been established, and the object is to maintain greater
regularity in the delivery o f coal. The boatmen, therefore, have an in­
ducement to use all diligence in navigating their boats.
The new boats, with 45 tons, on the completed improvement, have
made their trips quite as easily within the time as on the old navigation, with 31 tons ; and hence it is estimated, the cost o f transportation
will be reduced from $1 34, in 1842, to 90 cents, in 1845. Further, the
saving in the price o f freight, in the years 1843 and 1844, has more than
re-imbursed the expense o f the enlargement.
This experiment, which appears to have been very carefully observed,
shows that an enlargement o f the section o f the canal o f 36 per cent, has
increased the capacity o f boats navigating it 45 per cent, and this with­
out at all increasing the cost o f traction, or the hands to manage the
boats. Comparing the price o f transportation, that on the enlarged canal,
is 67 per cent o f the cost on the old canal. Here we see that a saving
o f one-third the expense o f transportation has been effected on a canal,
by enlarging its sectional area 36 per cent.
This canal, as enlarged, has not the sectional area required for the
most favorable traction o f a boat o f 45 tons, and, consequently, more trac­
tile power is required, than would be necessary if it was the most favorable
section ; but, notwithstanding the transportation derives great advantage
from the measure o f improvement, the boats for this canal, from their form
and size, do not require the same relative section for 45 tons, as they do
for 31 tons.
In the calculations o f the expense o f transportation before alluded to for
the Erie canal, the relation o f the sectional areas o f the orginal form to
that o f the proposed 7 feet canal, are as 1 to 2.94 ; or, the enlarged canal
is nearly 200 per cent greater area than the original size. This mea­
sure o f enlargement was to give the most favorable traction, or one-half
the cost per ton on the old canal. It was regarded as important to
an economical transportation, with large boats, in a crowded and pro­
miscuous trade, that the section o f canal should be liberal, not only
to favor their traction, but to allow adequate freedom in their move­
ment in passing each other, and more fully to feel their rudders. It
is obvious, a boat navigating a comparatively shallow and narrow
canal will not obey its rudder as readily, or be as easily managed,
as on a broad and deep channel.
The experience on the Delaware and Hudson canal, has shown that
an enlargement o f 36 per cent, has reduced the cost o f transportation
33 per cen t; we are, therefore, led to the conclusion, that an enlarge­
ment o f the Erie canal o f 200 per cent, will reduce the cost o f trans­
portation, at least, 50 per cent. Boats for the large canal would be
advantageously towed on the Hudson, saving all the delay, expenses o f




The E rie Canal Enlargement.

437

transhipment and consequent breakage, and one set o f agencies, which it
is believed would save full 50 per cent o f Hudson river charges, and the
delay incidental to transhipment. The tolls on the canal are, probably,
nearly equal (taking the general average) to the cost o f transportation at
this time ; the saving, therefore, o f 50 per cent on the transportation,
would be equal to, at least, 25 per cent o f the total cost of toll and trans­
portation. That this reduction would materially increase the trade, is
obvious on the least reflection. That this reduction will be effected by
the completion o f the enlargement, can no longer admit a reasonable
doubt.
In 1835, an estimate was made, under the direction o f the canal commissioners, by four engineers, each taking a certain section o f the pro­
posed improvement. The fact, that this estimate falls very much below
the cost of the work, so far as it has progressed, has been severely ani­
madverted upon, and calls for some explanation o f the discrepancy. I
made the estimate for the section commencing at Albany, and extending
57 miles west. The principal object was to obtain an approximate esti­
mate o f different dimensions o f enlargement. From two to three months
was all the time given to make this examination, prepare plans and cal­
culations o f quantities and cost. No gteat accuracy could be expected
from the limited time given. The aggregate o f this estimate was about
$12,500,000, and the damages for land would have increased it to, prob­
ably, about $14,000,000.
So far as I was concerned, this estimate was based on the following
considerations, which have not been observed, so far, in the construction
o f the work— to w it :—
1st. The work was to be prosecuted no faster than the surplus tolls
would afford funds. Whereas, it has been prosecuted, much more rapidly,
by additional funds, obtained by loans to a large amount, at a time when
prices for labor and materials were high, and still further enhanced, by
putting a large amount under contract, within a short time.
2d. Only one set of locks was contemplated by the estimate ; whereas
double locks, o f a very expensive character, have been constructed in
numerous cases. I do not contend that it was inexpedient to construct
double locks ; but the estimate should have the benefit o f the additional set.
3d. The plan o f work, embracing mechanical structures, was contem­
plated in the estimate, (so far as I was concerned,) to be plain and sub­
stantial ; having regard to adequate strength and permanency, the con­
venience o f the navigation, and proper symmetry in design ; whereas, a
very expensive mode, in executing a large portion o f the work, not neces­
sary for strength and permanency, has, to a great extent, prevailed. It
is due to myself, to say that I earnestly remonstrated against this, in the
outset; urging that it was unnecessary, and would eventually jeopard the
success o f the enterprise. In this, I was supported by commissioner, Bouck,
who has, in all my intercourse, manifested a deep interest in the success
o f the improvement. There were items o f work, not embraced in the
original canal, that have been added to the plan o f enlargement, which
were not decided on at the time of the estimate. I have no doubt some,
and, perhaps, most o f these will be beneficial to the improvement.
The enlargement proceeded to the close o f 1841, when it was arrested
in consequence o f financial embarrassments. Since that time, a very
limited amount o f work has been done. The total expenditure, thus far,




438

The E rie Canal Enlargement.

for work, damages for land, & c., has been about $13,000,000. The
length o f enlarged canal in use last season was near 36 miles, and 17
miles are to be put in use next spring, making 53 miles of canal in use and
ready for use, and 228 structures. There are 40 structures completed,
but not in use, not being connected, in consequence o f other work unfin­
ished. There are 177 structures in an advanced state— two-thirds done. It
may be observed, that the more expensive parts, such as heavy sections o f
canal, large aqueducts, o f the first and second classes, and locks, are gen­
erally either completed, or in a high state o f advancement. This accounts
for the fact that, although only a small portion o f the improvement is in
use, more than half the expense has been incurred, leaving about
$11,000,000, (by the revised estimate o f the canal commissioners, made
in 1839,) to complete it on the expensive plan on which the work has
been commenced. Taking into consideration, the present, or a fair price
for labor and materials— an enconomical revision o f the plans o f work
remaining to be done— (I mean such a revision as is compatible with the
present dimensions o f the enlarged canal, and will secure all necessary
permanence and convenience to the navigation)— and a prosecution o f
the work at a rate o f progress that will not enhance prices, there can be
hardly a doubt, the remaining ptftt o f the enlargement may be completed
for a much less sum than the above balance.
From the accumulation o f deposit in the canal, and causes before al­
luded to, the average tonnage on down freight was reduced from 39 tons,
in 1835, to 30 tons, in 1838. In consequence o f this depression in the
tonnage o f boats, the canal commissioners gave greater attention to the
repairs o f the canal. They found the bottom in many places much filled
with mud, sand and gravel, which, in fact, had been gradually accumu­
lating, and, probably, never thoroughly cleaned out since the first intro­
duction o f the water. It is one o f the objects o f the enlargement, by
raising the banks, and at some places the levels, and, instead o f dams,
constructing culverts and aqueducts, to turn land floods and their sediment
under the canal, and thus, to a great extent, relieve the canal from this
impediment.
By proceeding with a more thorough system o f cleaning out the bot­
tom, and raising the banks, the average tonnage was gradually increased,
and, in 1841, it had reached 36 tons. At this time, but little o f the new
work had been brought into use. In 1842, a portion o f the new work,
mostly between Albany and Schenectady, was brought into use at places
where the old work was always embarrassing to the navigation. As the
enlargement was now suspended, the commissioners made more vigorous
efforts to clean out the bottom, and raise the banks ; which, with the new
canal in use, so improved the navigation, that, in 1844, the average down
tonnage o f boats was about 60 tons, or double what it was in 1838. Other
circumstances contributed to this result. The boats were constructed
more full in their bearing, and a greater portion devoted exclusively to
freight.
Notwithstanding this increase o f tonnage, there were 257 more lock­
ages in 1844 than in 1838. The down freight, in 1838, was 419,249
tons, and, in 1844, 871,537 tons. Consequently, all the efforts to improve
the canal, and which have doubled its capacity, have only kept pace
with the increasing trade. The tonnage o f 1838 was a trifle greater
than that o f 1836 ; and, as the time from 1838 to 1844 may be too limited




The E rie Canal Enlargement.

439

to present a fair statement o f increase, I propose to take 1834, when the
trade had no special cause to affect its magnitude.
1 have not the means o f ascertaining the tonnage o f 1834, except by
comparing the tolls, which afford a sufficient approximation. The tolls
o f 1844 were 85 per cent greater than in 1834— a period o f ten years.
During this time there has been some reduction o f tolls, the extent o f
which I cannot, now state, but probably such as would show the tonnage
to have increased nearly, if not quite, 100 per cent. It will be observed,
this increase has taken place since the time when the canal was so
fully occupied, that further capacity was required. In my letter to com­
missioner JBouck, before referi'ed to, I gave it as my opinion, that the
tonnage would be doubled in ten years, and urged this as a reason for
adopting a liberal scale for the contemplated enlargement.
I have not noticed the return, or up freight, for the reason that, it being
much less in tonnage than the down freight, the latter only is important
in a calculation o f capacity. The average price o f freight on the canal
may be taken at something above the charge o f tolls; or the total charge
o f freight and tolls, at something over double the tolls. The total amount
o f tolls on the Erie canal, for the navigable year o f 1844, was $2,190,147.
The transportation may be assumed at $2,400,000, but say $2,200,000.
I f the enlarged work, when completed, will effect a reduction o f half this
sum, as it is believed has been conclusively shown, the annual saving on
last year’s trade, without considering the way trade, would be $1,100,000.
This trade must increase for many years to come. For several years it
has been contended, by the opponents o f this enterprise, that the freight
furnished by the forest would fall off as rapidly as that o f agriculture, & c.,
would increase ; and, therefore, no material increase o f tonnage would
occur. This subject was very ably discussed last winter, in the report o f
H. Seymour, Esq., chairman o f the Canal Committee, in the assembly.
The document is one of great interest, in which the canal policy o f this
state is treated in a manly and able manner. By a statement in a late
number o f the Merchants’ Magazine, it appears the tonnage from the
forest, arriving at tide water, from all the canals, in 1844, was 32 per
cent over that o f 1843, and that the total tonnage arriving at tide water, in
1844, was 30.6 per cent greater than that o f 1843, showing the increase
from the forest to have been greater than from all other sources, that is,
the ratio o f increase has been greater. It thus appears, Mr. Seymour’s
views, that the tonnage would continue to increase for a long time to
come, have been well sustained by the facts thus far. There can be no
doubt that, if adequate provision is made to accommodate it, the trade o f
this canal will go on increasing for many years; and, if we allow twenty
years for it to double the last year’s business, no time should be lost in devi­
sing a system o f proceeding that will bring the improvement into complete
operation in the course o f about eight years. When it is completed from
Albany to Syracuse, the trade will derive great benefit; and, by the time
it is wholly in operation, say about eight years from this time, the annual
saving in transportation will not be less than $1,500,000. The im­
provement will be a self-producing cause o f increasing trade. That
which now will not bear charges o f transportation, will enter its regular
business. The area o f country that will concentrate in this channel, will
be enlarged in proportion to the increased facilities and economy secured
for its accommodation.




440

The E rie Canal Enlargement.

In the report o f the canal commissioners, o f January, 1844, where,
speaking o f the lockages in 1843, they remark— “ The rapidly increasing
transportation o f property on this canal, from those states bordering on
the western lakes, will, undoubtedly, greatly add to the number o f lock­
ages.” In their recent report, (January, 1845,) they remark— “ The
great increase o f business on the canals has materially added to the num­
ber of lockages.” Again, page 10— “ I f the business on the canals con­
tinues to increase, it will soon be indispensable to its accommodation to
have double locks brought into use at all places from Albany to Syracuse.”
I f time permitted, I would show, from the reports o f canal commis­
sioners, the failing and deteriorating condition o f many o f the old struc­
tures and works on the Erie canal, and the difficulty, from its small sec­
tion at several places, in passing a sufficient supply o f lockage water,
during the seasons o f greatest pressure in its business. Much more could
be done, if the business was equally spread through the season o f naviga­
tion, but such an arrangement is impracticable. The western lakes being
closed in the winter, the products accumulated at their ports during the
suspended navigation, will, at the opening o f spring, rush to market, and
supplies from the Atlantic market be immediately called for. Then again,
after harvest, there will be an accumulated business in the fall trade.
In relation to the value o f the enlarged canal, even for boats used on,
and limited by the dimensions o f the original work, the canal commis­
sioners, in their report o f January, 1844, remark— “ those portions o f the
enlargement o f the Erie canal, which are in use between Albany and
Syracuse, and the construction o f double locks on the enlarged plan at
points most liable to detention and delay, have added greatly to the ca­
pacity o f the canal, and to the certainty, safety, and expedition o f trans­
portation.”
In their late report, (January, 1845,) the commissioners, in speaking
o f a section o f about six miles o f enlarged canal, embracing Scoharie
creek, to be brought into use next spring, remark— “ By this improvement
the heavy annual expenses, to which the state has been heretofore sub­
jected, in dredging the channels o f the creeks, and in maintaining dams
and towing path bridges, will be avoided ; the injurious and vexatious de­
lays, to which boats have been liable at the old locks, prevented, and in­
estimable benefits to the interest o f all concerned in the navigation o f
the canal, secured.” The same report, when speaking o f eleven miles of
enlarged canal, also to be brought into use next spring, known as the
Jordan level, the commissioners remark— “ The canal will receive an ad­
ditional supply o f water from the Nine Mile Creek feeder; the expense
o f two lock tenders, and the repair o f two locks and two aqueducts, that
are in a dilapidated condition, will be saved, and the hazard o f interruption
to the navigation will be greatly diminished.”
The same rfeport, in speaking o f the locks near the upper Mohawk
aqueduct, the commissioners remark : “ During the busy portions o f the
season o f navigation, these locks are in constant employment, and re­
quire the uninterrupted attendance o f the lock tenders.”
It therefore appears that, in regard to the convenience and economy of
navigation— o f repairs o f canal, and also in regard to the increasing
amount o f the trade— the canal commissioners are deeply impressed with
the usefulness o f this improvement: and the friends o f the enterprize do
not appear to have over estimated its necessity and importance.




The E rie Canal Enlargement.

441

Several valuable and highly interesting public documents have at dif­
ferent times been published, which present many important particulars in
relation to the subject under consideration. But the limited range o f a
single article, does not allow them to be further discussed.
The unproductiveness of the lateral canals has been much dwelt upon
by the opponents of the enlargement o f the Erie canal. The total length
o f the lateral canals is about equal to that o f the Erie can al; while the
tolls, on the latter, for the last season, were about 90 per cent o f the aggregate tolls o f all the state canals. There can be no doubt, however,
that the tolls on the Erie canal, have been increased by the trade brought
to it by the lateral canals ; but to what extent I am not able to say. That
money has been, to a greater or less extent, unwisely expended on the
lateral canals, there can be no doubt. But is this a sufficient reason
why we should neglect the proverbially great avenue o f internal com­
merce ? an avenue passing through the central and most fertile portion o f
our own slate, connecting with internal lakes, rivers, and artificial canals,
spreading its ramifications and usefulness to the great mass o f our citi­
zens ; and uniting the most extensive inland lake navigation in the
world, with one o f the best river navigations 1 Certainly no careful, in­
telligent and candid examination o f the subject will call for an abandon­
ment o f the enterprize, and leave its unfinished structures to point out to
future times our incapacity to appreciate its importance.
T o the city o f New York, I regard the completion of the enlargement
o f the Erie' canal, as a question of great importance. She has a deep in­
terest in whatever tends to reduce the expense o f interior transportation.
She has already felt, in her accumulated millions, the effect o f this canal
as originally constructed. I f I should undertake to estimate the benefits
that have already flowed to the citizens o f this state, in the advancement
o f their agriculture, manufactures and commerce, the amount would ap­
pear incredible. But the time has arrived when increased facilities are
demanded for the accommodation o f the increased-, and increasing trade.
Great efforts are making to divert as much o f Ihis trade to other ports as
is practicable. And while the citizens in the interior have a common
interest with New York, in reducing the cost o f transportation, and pos­
sess the means for doing so, is it consistent with an intelligent spirit o f
enterprise, and regard for the public interest, to fold our hands and re­
main idle ?
Without questioning the policy that led to a suspension o f the enlarge,
ment in 1842, there can be no question the canal finances are now in a
condition that admits o f a safe and sufficient system, gradual in its com­
mencement, and looking to the completion o f the enterprise at some eight
years from this time, without increasing the state debt. There can be no
reasonable doubt, the tolls at the end o f six or eight years will amount to
$3,000,000 per annum. The new work put in complete operation, the
expense o f repairs would be reduced pi obably to between $300,000 and
$400,000 ; and a surplus, applicable to the debt, o f $2,600,000 per annum,
may be calculated upon at that time with confidence.
It has been urged that taxes had to be laid to support the canals, and
the people will not submit to it. Few persons understand this process ot
financiering, which has thrown undeserved discredit upon the state ca­
nals. By laws o f the state, $200,000 o f canal tolls have been, and are,
annually appropriated to the general fund; and the salt revenues, which




442

The E rie Canal Enlargement.

h a v e b e e n cre a te d ,

to
to

about

$100,000,

and are

s u s t a in e d b y t h e c a n a l s , a m o u n t i n g a n n u a l l y

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ta k e a p o r t io n o f th e c a n a l

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p a r t o f t h e d e f ic ie n c y to th e c a n a l r e v e n u e s

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o v e r i n t h e fir s t i n ­

s t a n c e , t o t h e g e n e r a l fu n d , a n d t h e c a n a l s l e f t w i t h t h e i r o w n r e v e n u e s .
B u t it is s a i d w e m u s t p a y t h e c a n a l d e b t , b e f o r e f u r t h e r p r o g r e s s c a n
b e m ade

in th e

c o m p le tio n

o f th e

w ork .

c o m p tr o lle r o f th e

s t a t e , it a p p e a r s t h e

th e a n n u a l in te r e s t

$1,128,397,

d eb t,

$2,691,225.

B y th e

r e c e n t r e p o r t o f th e

t o t a l c a n a l d e b t is

$20,713,905 ;

a n d t h a t h e h a s o n h a n d a p p l i c a b l e t o t h is

T h is w ill r e d u ce

t h e a n n u a l in t e r e s t w i l l b e a b o u t

th e d e b t to

$950,000.

$18,022,680,

$424,000,)

o f m a in t a in in g t h e c a n a ls , ( w h i c h t h e la s t t w o y e a r s a v e r a g e d

$464,334,

f o r th e la s t y e a r w a s

o n w h ic h

A d d t o t h is t h e a n n u a l c o s t

a n d t a k in g th e w h o le su m o f in te r e s t a n d

r e p a i r s a t t h e r a t e o f la s t y e a r , f r o m

t h e t o lls o f t h e la s t n a v i g a b l e y e a r ,

$2,446,375,

of

o f s u r p lu s

a n d t h e r e is

can al

a b a la n c e

revenue.

$1,032,041

T h i s s u r p lu s s o m e

$1,000,000

; or, o v e r

p ro p o s e to

a p p r o p r ia te ,

a f t e r d e d u c t i n g w h a t is c a r r i e d t o t h e g e n e r a l fu n d , t o t h e e x t i n g u i s h m e n t
o f t h e c a n a l d e b t ; a n d t h is i m p r o v e m e n t , ( a f t e r m o r e t h a n h a l f t h e
p e n d itu r e n e c e s s a r y t o c o m p le t e

it

p u r s u e d ,) is t o b e s u s p e n d e d fr o m
is p a id !

on

ex­

th e e x p e n s iv e p la n th a t h a s b e e n

fifte e n

t o t w e n t y y o u r s , u n t il t h is d e b t

I s it r e a s o n a b l e t h a t t h e p r e s e n t g e n e r a t i o n s h a l l p a y t h e w h o l e

o f th is d e b t , w i t h t h e

im p r o v e m e n t s o fa r a d v a n c e d , b u t u n fin is h e d ; a n d

t h e t r a d e f r o m w h i c h t h is g r e a t s u r p lu s r e v e n u e is d e r i v e d , b e a l l o w e d t o
s u ffe r f r o m i n c o n v e n i e n t a n d i n a d e q u a t e
term ?

a c c o m m o d a t i o n d u r i n g t h is l o n g

C a n it b e t h a t s u c h a p r o p o s i t i o n w i l l m e e t t h e a p p r o b a t i o n o f t h e

c a lm a n d p r a c t ic a l g o o d s e n s e o f a n in t e llig e n t p e o p le 1
I f t h e m e a s u r e w a s o n e o f d o u b t fu l u s e fu ln e s s , a n d t h e r e
b le g rou n d to

a p p r e h e n d it w o u l d

b r in g

a

w as reason a­

b u rd e n u p o n th e p e o p le , w e

s h o u ld p a u s e , u n t il t h e q u e s t i o n s o f u s e fu ln e s s a n d f i n a n c e w e r e w e l l s e t ­
tle d .

I t is n o t t o b e

d ou b ted

th a t in e x p e d ie n t

m a d e ; b u t th e y a r e p a st, a n d c a n o n ly b e
i n t h e fu t u r e .

T h ere

f a i le d , t h a t th a t w h i c h

is n o
is

e x p e n d it u r e s h a v e b e e n

u s e fu l a s

b e a c o n s to g u id e

r e a s o n , h o w e v e r , th a t, b e c a u s e

p r o v e r b ia lly g o o d

s h o u ld

be

us

som e h ave

n e g le c te d .

The

a g r i c u l t u r is t w o u l d n o t b e d e e m e d w i s e , w h o , h a v i n g l o s t h is c r o p o f o a t s ,
s h o u ld t h e r e f o r e n e g l e c t t o c u l t i v a t e h is c o r n .
It m ust b e

b o r n e i n m in d t h a t t h e E r i e c a n a l , n o t o n l y b e a r s t h e d e f i ­

c i e n c i e s o f t h e u n p r o d u c t iv e

l a t e r a l s , b u t a l s o a n e x p e n d it u r e o n its o w n

u n fin is h e d , ( c o n s e q u e n t l y m a i n l y u n p r o d u c t i v e ,) e n l a r g e m e n t , a n d o n u n ­
f i n i s h e d la t e r a l s , o f t o g e t h e r s o m e

$15,000,000,

p a b le o f b e a r in g a ll th e s e , a n d h a s a c q u ir e d
th a t

it is n o w

$4,000,000.

p ro p o s e d to ad d to

it

th e

It h a s p r o v e d it s e lf c a ­

u n d er th em

s o m u c h v ig o r

u n p a y in g r a ilr o a d d e b t o f n e a r

T h i s is n o t a l l ; f o r it is a l r e a d y p r o p o s e d , a s it i n c r e a s e s in

stre n g th , n o t to
o f g o v e rn m e n t.

c o m p le te

it s u n fin is h e d w o r k , b u t t o a d d o t h e r e x p e n s e s

N o w , a w o r k t h a t is e x p e c t e d t o

b e a r s u c h b u r d e n s , is

c e r t a i n l y e n t i t le d , o n t h e s c o r e o f r e v e n u e , t o h a v e t h e b e s t c a r e t h a t c i r ­
c u m s ta n c e s w ill p e r m it.

I t w o u l d , h o w e v e r , b e d o i n g it i n j u s t i c e , t o l i m i t

i t s u s e fu l n e s s , b y t h e m e a s u r e o f its t o l l s .

T h e b e n e fits c o n fe r r e d o n th e

g e n e r a l in t e r e s t o f t h e s t a t e , t o a g r i c u l t u r e , a r t s a n d c o m m e r c e , a n d t h e
g e n e r a l s o c ia liz in g

in flu e n c e

p rod u ced

b y e a s y i n t e r c o m m u n i c a t i o n , fa r

e x c e e d t h e v a l u e o f its t o l l s .
I n t h e p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n o f t h e c a n a l f i n a n c e s , t h e r e c a n b e n o d i f f ic u lt y




443

The E rie Canal Enlargement.

in proceeding with the enlargement o f the Erie canal, on a scale that
will annually bring more or less into use, and thereby improve the pre­
sent navigation; and in a few years the whole may be completed, when
its enhanced revenues will rapidly extinguish the debt; the holders o f
which will think themselves paid too soon.
I a m a w a r e th a t s o m e p e r s o n s

are

n e g le c t th e E r ie c a n a l, an d d e p e n d
c r e a s in g tra d e .

o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t it i s b e t t e r t o

on

r a ilr o a d s

to p r o v id e

fo r th e in ­

W h e n it is c o n s i d e r e d t h a t , o n t h e c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e e n ­

l a r g e d E r i e c a n a l , a b a r r e l o f f l o u r m a y b e c a r r i e d , e x c l u s i v e o f t o lls , f r o m
B u ffa lo to N e w Y o r k
r o a d s , ju d g in g fr o m

fo r 1 5

c e n t s , it w i l l h a r d l y b e c o n t e n d e d t h a t r a i l ­

g e n e r a l e x p e r ie n c e in

g e n e r a l tr a d e , w o u ld b e

t o c o m p e t e , in h e a v y fr e ig h t, w it h th e c a n a l.
w o u ld r a i s e t h e c o s t t o a b o u t 4 8 c e n t s .
c o u n tr y , a c a n a l b o a t, lo a d e d at

change o f cargo to this city,
ad v a n ta g es.

th e

a b le

T o a d d p r e s e n t c a n a l t o l ls

F o r t h e p r o m is c u o u s tra d e o f th e

c a n a l p ort,

an d p r o c e e d in g

th e g r e a t m a rt fo r th e

without

in t e r io r , h a s p e c u lia r

B u t it is n o t n e c e s s a r y t o d is c u s s t h is s u b je c t , f o r t h e a v e n u e

u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n is o f s u f f i c i e n t i m p o r t a n c e

to

r e q u ir e b o t h r a ilr o a d

a n d c a n a l o f l a r g e c a p a c i t y t o m e e t it s v a r i e d , g r e a t , a n d g r o w i n g w a n t s .

When it is considered that the annual tonnage of the Erie canal, that
arrives at, and departs from tide water, is about equal to all the tonnage
that enters and clears from the port o f New York, I am persuaded my
fellow citizens will agree with me, in regarding the enlargement of the
canal, as a work in which she has a deep interest. It is indeed the great
internal pillar in her commercial fabric. The interior o f the state is no
less interested than the c ity ; it is a common interest, to economize the
transit o f property and serve the general interest o f trade.
I f the ample accommodation that is within our reach, is given to this
trade, we may reasonably expect, at no great lapse o f time after the work
shall have been completed, its enhanced magnitude will be such, as to admit
a reduction o f tolls on such articles as are now able to bear only a moderate
participation in the general trade, and ultimately a general reduction, and
still leave abundant revenues to provide for its debt, and furnish means
for other objects. Thus the trade would not only have the benefit of
great economy in transportation, but also a reduction o f tolls, which could
not fail to produce incalculable advantages.
The subject is regarded as one o f great general interest, and com­
mends itself to the dispassionate consideration o f an intelligent commu­
nity. It should be viewed as above all partisan questions o f policy, and
treated as a matter in which the mass o f our citizens has a common
interest.
I f we do not forget the inestimable benefits conferred on our own and
other states, by the original work, we shall not fail to perceive the im­
portance of now completing its enlargement, required to afford adequate
provision for its greatly accumulated and increasing trade.
It will be perceived that no measures are here proposed to increase the
canal debt, or to impair the ability o f the canal revenues, to meet punc­
tually the interest on the canal debt, and expenditures for repairs. It is
merely to appropriate the canal revenues to canal purposes, and, after the
interest on the debt, and expense o f repairs are paid, the annual surplus to
be appropriated to complete the enlargement o f the Erie canal. And if
it should be regarded as important to continue the present appropriation
o f $200,000 from canal tolls to the general fund, there will still be left,




444

The United Stales Exploring Expedition.

on a calculation o f tolls for the last navigable year, over $800,000 per
annum to proceed with the work o f enlargement.
A single remark on the question o f canals as compared with railroads.
It is very often observed that one, or the other, is the best mode to ef­
fect cheap transportation. I consider, however, that this question de­
pends on circumstances. In the transportation o f passengers and light
freight, and such as requires winter transportation, a railroad possesses
decided advantages ; while for heavy freight, a large promiscuous trade,
and more or less connected with natural navigation, a canal may be
highly beneficial, even with a successful railroad by its side. With such
a canal as the Erie, already in operation, possessing within itself the
means o f completing its own enlargement, so as to render it one o f the
most perfect artificial navigations in the world, it certainly would be un­
wise to abandon it, for any superiority that has yet been demonstrated in
railroad transportation : far better for all interested in cheap carriage, to
have both canal and railroad.
There are situations where a canal would be impracticable, and yet a
railroad may be a highly successful improvement.
It is not for the public interest that these improvements should be com­
pared by a partisan view ; but that each should be considered with refer­
ence to its adaptation to the local circumstances and trade that is to be
accommodated.
j. b. j.

A rt . IV.— TH E UN ITED ST A TE S EXPLORING E X PE D ITIO N *
I t is remarkable that the United States, although ranking as the
second commercial power, has never until the date o f the present expedi­
tion, contributed her quota as a nation to the advancement of geograph­
ical or physical science, except within the limits o f her own sovereignty.
It is true, that much has been accomplished by the individual enterprise
o f her citizens, and the record o f their discoveries in the great Southern
ocean, show most clearly that her deficiency has arisen rather from the
peculiar character o f her institutions, than from any want o f zeal or daring on the part o f her citizens, no better proof o f this can be needed than
is afforded by the narrative now before us.
When the expedition sailed, we were led to expect much from i t ; but
during its progress, the accounts that appeared in the public prints in­
duced a fear that the first voyage o f discovery, undertaken under the aus­
pices o f our government, would prove a complete failure, and be produc­
tive o f no beneficial results to the country or to science. A perusal o f
the narrative has fully removed these fears, and we hasten to lay before
our readers a brief notice o f such portions o f this magnificent work as
more particularly appertain to our department o f literature.
It will probably be recollected by most o f our readers that by an act
o f Congress, 18th May, 1836; an expedition was authorised to be fitted
out for the purpose o f exploring the Southern ocean, having special re­

* Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, during the years 1838, 1839,
1840, 1841, 1842. By Charles Wilkes, U. S. N. Commander of the Expedition, mem­
ber of the American Philosophical Society, &c. In five volumes and an atlas, Phila­
delphia: Lea & Blanchard. 1845.




The United States Exploring Expedition.

445

ference to the important interests o f our commerce embarked in the
whale fisheries and other adventures in that region o f the world. Owing to causes, which we feel no desire to investigate, everything con­
nected with this expedition was in confusion, and a general belief existed
that it would be abandoned, when in March, 1838, Capt. Wilkes was ap­
pointed to the command, and instructed to organize it anew ; this he ac­
complished in a short time, so that in August, o f the same year, he was
ready to depart, and the squadron under his command, consisting o f the
sloop of war Vincennes and Peacock, ship Relief, brig Porpoise, and ten­
ders Sea Gull and Flying Fish, left Hampton Roads on the 18th. The
five splendid volumes now before us, are a record o f how much was ac­
complished, and o f the danger and difficulties undergone in fulfilment of
the duties which devolved on the gallant officers and seamen attached to
the expedition.
As the primary object o f the expedition was the promotion o f the great
interests o f commerce and navigation, it was natural to expect that these
volumes would contain much that would be o f importance to the mercan­
tile community, but we scarcely anticipated the ample store o f informa­
tion to be found in them, respecting the trade and resources o f the coun­
tries visited by Capt. Wilkes. The chapter on currents and whaling
grounds, is, o f itself, a full return for all the expenses incurred by the government in the voyage.
As before stated, the squadron left the Chesapeake on the 18th August,
1838, for Rio Janeiro, via Madeira. O f this island we have an interest­
ing account, and the following particulars o f the wine trade are deserving
o f notice.
“ W i n e is th e sta p le c o m m o d it y ; th e p r o d u c e d u r in g 1 8 3 7 w a s 1 4 ,1 5 0 p ip e s.
T h e e x p o rt th e y e a r p re v io u s t o o u r v is it a m o u n te d t o 8 ,4 3 5 p ip e s, o f w h ic h a b o u t
3 ,8 0 0 p ip e s , v a lu e d at $ 7 9 3 ,0 0 0 , w e n t t o th e U n ite d S ta te s . T h e im p o rts a m o u n t­
e d t o $ 1 0 5 ,0 0 0 in sta v e s , r ic e a n d o il. T h e 5 ,7 0 0 that re m a in , in c lu d e s th a t sh ip ­
p e d to E u r o p e , th e h o m e co n s u m p tio n , a n d w h a t is store d fo r r e fin in g .
T h e in ­
h a b ita n ts o f M a d e ira are m u c h a liv e a n d ju s tly je a lo u s o f th e re p u ta tio n o f th eir
w in e s , w h ic h a re g e n e r a lly the e n g r o s s in g s u b je c t o f co n v e r s a tio n .
A n a m u s in g
e x c it e m e n t e x is te d d u r in g o u r v is it.
A L o n d o n p a p er ha d a ss e rte d that fo re ig n
w in e h a d fr e q u e n tly b e e n in tr o d u ce d in to M a d e ira , a n d a fte rw a rd s e x p o rte d a s
th e g e n u in e a r ticle , t o the U n ite d S ta te s , in p a r tic u la r, an d w h a t g a v e n e w f o r c e
t o the s to ry it w a s sta ted a s a fa c t , th a t se v e n ty p ip es h a d la te ly b e e n en te re d at
a n e x p e n s e o f $ 1 0 0 0 , a n d m a n u fa ctu re d . E v e r y b o d y w a s u p in a rm s. T h e c o m ­
m e r c ia l a s s o c ia tio n o f F r a n c e h a d p a ssed re s o lu tio n s d e n o u n c in g the p u b lica tio n
in s tro n g term s, a s d e s ig n e d b y in terested p e rs o n s to in ju re th e rep u ta tion o f th e
w in e o f M a d e ir a .
S o s t ric t a re th e la w s t o p rev en t fra u d s , th a t e v e n g e n u in e
M a d e ira , a fte r b e in g o n c e sh ip p ed , c a n n o t b e re tu rn e d t o th e is la n d .”

After leaving Madeira they proceeded to the Cape de Verdes, search­
ing on their way for the Maria rock, Bom Felix shoal and Bonetta rocks,
but in v a in ; their reported positions were sailed over, and soundings
taken, without any indications o f a shoal being obtained. The same
results ensued after leaving St. Jago, in the search for Patty’s overforks,
and Warburgh shoals, as well as the French shoal, Triton shoal, Bou­
vet’s sandy shoal, and Krusenstein’s volcano, all which vigias, or shoals,
are laid down in the charts. They then bore away for Rio Janeiro,
where they arrived on the 23d November. Capt. Wilkes observes on
the passage o f vessels from the United States to Rio :—




146

The United Slates Exploring Expedition.

“ O u r o b serv a tion s w o u ld p oin t o u t th e n e c e s s it y o f d u ll sa ilin g v e s s e ls n o t
c r o s s in g th e eq u a to r to the w e s tw a r d o f 2 0 ° W . L ., w h e re th e e q u a to ria l c u rre n t
b e g in s to be f e l t ; bu t v e s s e ls th a t sa il w e ll, m a y c r o s s it a s fa r a s 2 6 ° W . , p a r­
ticu la r ly w h e re the N . E . m o n s o o n s p re v a il in th eir fu ll stre n g th , an d v e r y m u c h
sh orten th eir p a s s a g e b y s u ch a c o u r s e .”

Among the variety o f information on the condition and resources o f
Brazil, is a full account o f the various races o f negroes, brought there as
slaves, demonstrating what has before been asserted by travellers, that
they differ almost as much from each other, as they do from the whites.
Our author states that, since the treaty with England, giving up the slave
trade, large numbers o f slaves are still smuggled in, by connivance with
the authorities; the number annually imported, contrary to law, being
estimated at 7 to 10,000; previous to this, about 50,000 were annually
introduced, o f which about one-third perished.
The national debt o f Brazil, in 1338, was $60,000,000, whilst the
revenue was $16,000,000, principally derived from duties, or imports and
exports. The imports, at that time, were over $20,000,000.
“ T h e a m ou n t o f e x p o rts is v a r io u s ly stated.
C o ffe e is th e g r e a t sta p le, and
m o re th a n 1 6 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o u n d s w e r e e x p o rte d in 1 8 3 8 . I t is d e riv e d fro m the
c e n tra l p ro v in ce s , a n d th e e x p o rts o f it h a v e m o re th a n d o u b le d in the la st te n
years.
T h e e x p o r ts o f th e so u th e rn p r o v in c e s a re m o s tly c o n fin e d t o h id e s an d
t a l l o w ; th o s e o f the n orth ern , t o s u g a r, c o tto n and t o b a c c o .
T h e tra d e w ith the
U n ite d S ta te s h a s g r e a tly in c r e a s e d .
W it h in th e la st te n y e a r s , fr o m o n e h u n ­
d red an d s ix t y to o n e h u n d red a n d s e v e n t y A m e r ic a n v e s s e ls ta k e a n d b r in g c a r ­
g o e s t o a n d fro m th e U n ite d S ta te s , an d s o m e fo r e ig n v e s s e ls a re e n g a g e d in the
sa m e tra d e.
T h e c o n s u m p t io n o f A m e r ic a n flo u r, in R i o , a n d th e n e ig h b o r in g
c o u n tr y , h a s b e e n , d u r in g th e sa m e y e a r , a b ou t 1 2 0 ,0 0 0 b a rr e ls .”

The expedition next proceeded to the Rio Nigro, and thence to Orange
Harbor, in Terra del Fuego, where preparations were made for a cruise
in the Antarctic ocean, during which they experienced very heavy wea­
ther, and obtained but few good results; accurate observations were,
however, made o f the positions and bearings o f several islands, and some
new ones discovered; and, on the 20th o f April, 1839, they again left
Orange Harbor for the Pacific, and arrived at Valparaiso on the 15th of
May. W e are now presented with a very full and interesting account of
Chili, from which we learn that the commerce of Chili is rapidly increas­
ing ; the exports o f copper from Truasco, Coquimbo, and Valparaiso,
amount to 60,000 quintals per annum, and of the ore, principally to E ng­
land, from 150 to 200,000 quintals ; the silver exported amounts to
100,000 marks, o f 8 ounces.
“ T h e r e a re 3 0 ,0 0 0 h id es ex p o rte d , p r in c ip a lly fro m V a lp a r a is o .
F r o m 5 to
6 0 0 qu intals o f w o o l a re sh ip p ed a n n u a lly fr o m C o n c e p tio n .
V e r y little s ilv e r is
c o in e d in the c o u n t r y , d olla rs b e in g a n a r ticle o f m e rc h a n d is e , w o r th fro m 7 to 9
p e r ce n t, a c c o r d in g to th e su p p lie s from B o liv ia o r P e r u . F r o m 8 0 0 ,0 0 0 to 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
s ilv e r d o lla r s c o m e a n n u a lly fr o m C o b ija to V a lp a r a is o , a n d a re sh ip p e d th e n c e to
E n g la n d .”

The annual imports into Chili and Peru have averaged $10,600,000,
o f which $1,500,000 were from the United States ; the returns from Chili
are about $6,200,000, o f which copper is the largest item, amounting to
$2,000,000. The number o f vessels employed in the trade is about two
hundred and seventy, o f which eighty are from the United States. In
consequence o f the favorable situation o f Valparaiso, a large proportion
o f the supplies for Peru are landed there, and sent to their ultimate desti­




The United Stales Exploring Expedition.

447

nation in coasting vessels. The foreign trade is principally carried on by
the English, Americans and French, though, o f late years, a good many
German and Spanish vessels have been engaged in this commerce.
“ T h e a n n u a l im p orts in to P e r u are c o m b in e d s o m u c h w it h th o s e o f C h ili,
that it w a s d ee m e d p rop er t o in c lu d e th e m u n d e r o n e h ea d ; th o s e o f P e r u a m o u n t
t o a b ou t tw o-fifth s o f the w h o le o f th e s e im p orts, p art g o to G u a y a q u ill; th e I n term e d io s , o r S o u th P e r u a n d B o liv ia , ta k e a b o u t $>1,000,000 fr o m C h ili a n d
P eru .
T h e retu rn s fro m P e r u a re— d olla rs a n d b u llio n , $>4,500,000 ; b a rk , h id e s ,
& c . , $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 .'
“ T h e s e c o u n tr ie s o ffe r a la r g e m a rk e t fo r o u r d o m e s tic c o tto n s , a n d , i f the
p r ic e s c a n b e m a in ta in ed , th e U n ite d S ta te s w ill s u p p ly th e m o s t o f th e c o a r s e r
k in d s u s ed . I h a v e it fro m the b e s t a u th ority , th a t th e c o n s u m p tio n o f th e se
g o o d s is n o w d ou b le w h a t it w a s fiv e y e a r s a g o , a n d it is s till in c r e a s in g .”

It is evident, from the facts stated by Captain Wilkes, and those derived
from other sources, that the Chili and Peru trade is o f vast importance to
the United States, as affording one o f the best marts for her manufac­
tures ; but, in consequence o f the disturbed state of those countries, and
the miserable policy pursued by their rulers, commerce has been restrict­
ed, and their vast resources but partially developed; hence, the markets
have been glutted with foreign goods, not so much from over-importation,
as from a want o f safe means o f inland transportation; for it has con­
stantly happened that, while in the seaports, goods have been sold at a
ruinous sacrifice, enormous profits would have been obtained on them in
the interior.
Latterly, the trade has been more steady, and a more
healthy state o f things has prevailed, but much still remains to be done,
before commerce can assume a regular form.
After remaining on the coast o f South America until the middle o f July,
the expedition sailed for the islands in the Pacific ; the first group of
which they visited, was the Paumster group. These islands, in a com ­
mercial point of view, possess but little interest, the only article o f impor­
tation furnished by them being the pearl oyster sh ell; these, as principal­
ly coming to our markets, viz., Tahiti, will be noticed hereafter.
The island o f Tahiti— as it is now termed, the Otaheite o f Cook— pos­
sesses unusual interest to every one who has read the voyages o f that
great navigator, and has traced, in the records o f more modern voyages,
the gradual change that has taken place in the manners and religion o f
its inhabitants. W e would willingly make copious extracts from the
narrative now before us, respecting this people, but feel constrained to
restrict ourselves to its commercial history, which is, perhaps, the least
interesting point connected with it, that would be selected, as its resources
are very limited, most o f its trade consisting in the supplies furnished to
whale ships.
“ A n estim a te h a s b e e n m a d e, th a t e a c h o f th o s e v e s s e ls in tro d u ce s g o o d s t o th e
a m o u n t o f $ 5 0 0 , m a k in g a tota l o f $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 ; b u t I m u c h q u e stio n w h e th e r it c a n
r e a c h th is e x t e n t ; a n d i f th is a m o u n t b e sold , it m u st in c lu d e th e p rofits ; h a lf
th e su m , I sh ou ld th in k , w a s a la r g e e stim a te. T h e f e w o th e r v e s s e ls that v isit
the isla n d s b r in g little c a r g o .
I f t w o a rriv e at th e sa m e tim e , t h e y d e s tr o y e a c h
o th e r’ s v e n tu r e s , b y g lu ttin g th e m a rk e ts.”

As we mentioned above, the pearl shells procured among the Paumster
group, are here disposed of. This trade was very productive for some
years before the arrival o f the expedition there, the quantity obtained in
six years amounting to about 900 tons, valued at about $50,000. The
other articles o f produce are sugar, cocoa nut oil, and arrow ro o t; o f the




448

T he United States Exploring Expidition.

first o f which Tahiti and its dependent islands furnished 149 tons, va­
lued at about $11,000 ; o f the oil, 185 tons, valued at about $13,000 : o f
arrow root, about 50 tons are produced, valued at about $4,000. There
are a few small vessels belonging to these islands, which trade to New
South Wales, where they pay the same duties as British bottoms.
As a place of rendezvous for our whalers, being in the vicinity o f their
cruising grounds, and the ample supplies they are enabled to procure
here, this island is invaluable. The vessels usually resort to the bay o f
Paprieti, as it affords greater facilities for repairs and supplies than any
other.
The next group visited was the Samown or Navigators islands, from
whence Capt. Wilkes directed his course to Australia, where he arrived
in November, and remained about a month, employed in preparing for
an Antarctic cruise, and in observations on this strange country. These
form the material for several highly interesting chapters, containing a
mass o f information on the colony, and its resources, o f the most valuable
kind.
The trade o f Australia is already great, and is rapidly on the increase.
Our author states:—
“ T h e n u m b e r o f v e s s e ls th a t e n tered th e p o rt o f S a m o w n , in 1 8 2 6 , w a s 62 , an d
th e ir t o n n a g e 1 7 ,1 7 8 to n s ; in 1 8 4 0 th e y h a d in c r e a s e d t o 7 0 4 , an d the to n n a g e ,
1 7 8 ,9 5 8 .
T h e v a lu e o f im p orts, in 1 8 2 6 , w a s 6 0 ,0 0 0 p o u n d s ; in 18 40 it ha d in ­
c r e a s e d t o 3 ,0 1 4 ,1 8 9 p ou n d s.
T h a t o f e x p o rts, in 1 8 2 6 , w a s 1 0 6 ,6 0 0 ; in 1 8 4 0
t h e y a m o u n te d to 1 ,3 9 9 ,6 9 2 p ou n d s. It w ill a ls o b e s e e n , th at in the retu rn o f
v e s s e ls b u ilt a n d r e g is te r e d in 1 8 2 2 , th e re w e r e b u t 3 , o f o n ly 163 t o n s ; in 1 8 4 0 ,
111 v e s s e ls , th e a m o u n t o f w h o s e t o n n a g e w a s 1 3 ,3 4 9 to n s .
B u t th e m o s t r e ­
m a rk a b le in c r e a s e is in the e x p o rta tio n o f w o o l, w h ic h , in 18 2 2 , w a s o n ly 1 7 2 ,8 8 0
p o u n d s, w h ils t in 18 4 0 it a m o u n te d to 8 ,6 1 0 ,7 7 5 p o u n d s .”

Nor does the wonderful increase o f trade and production cease here, as
is shown by the elaborate tables given in the appendix, which are two
long for insertion in this place, but will amply repay a perusal; we shall
merely notice in connexion with this subject, that it appears that the com­
merce with the United States is very limited, and mainly confined to a
single house at Salem, which employs a few vessels in bringing flour, to­
bacco, & c.,fo r which wool and hides are received as return cargoes.
W e now come to the most interesting portion of the voyage, in a geo­
graphical point o f view,— the discovery o f a new continent, an honor,
which must be conceded to Capt. Wilkes, whatever claims may be set up
by other nations. A calm and dispassionate perusal o f the chapters con­
taining an account o f the Antarctic cruise, will convince even the most pre­
judiced, that American seamen were the first to ascertain the existence
o f a large body o f land to the south o f Australia. It is well known to
most o f our readers that there were three expeditions of discovery in the
Southern ocean, at much the same time, the American, another, English,
under the command o f Capt. Ross, and a third, French, commanded by
Capt. D ’U rville; those o f France and America were o f the same date,
and that o f England rather later.
The existence o f a great body o f land within the Antarctic circle does
not admit o f dispute ; on this point all agree ; the main difference o f
opinion is as to its extent, and the date o f the discovery. Our limits for­
bid us to go into the subject at length, and restrict us to a mere notice o f
the events that occurred. Before entering on this, we cannot refrain from




The United States Exploring Expedition.

449

*
*
giving the following paragraph, as showing under what disadvantages,
and how unfitted were the vessels for undertaking this perilous enterprise.
“ D u r in g o u r sta y a t P o rt J a ck s o n , o u r v e s s e ls w e r e m u c h v isite d b y a ll c la s s e s ,
a n d a g r e a t m a n y in q u irie s m a d e r e s p e c t in g o u r a c c o m m o d a tio n s , & c .
A ll
s e e m e d d isa p p oin ted a t n o t b e in g a b le t o s e e the sa m e c o m p le te ou tfits in o u r
v e s s e ls a s t h e y h a d s e e n d e s c rib e d in th e p u b lish ed a c c o u n ts o f th o s e o f th e
E n g lis h e x p e d itio n , com m a n d e d b y C a p ta in J a m es R o s s . T h e y in q u ired w h e th e r
w e ha d co m p a rtm e n ts in o u r sh ip s, to p re v e n t u s fro m s in k in g ?— h o w w e in ten d ­
e d to k e e p o u r s e lv e s w a r m ?— w h a t k in d o f a n ti-s co r b u tic w e w e r e to u s e ?— an d
w h e r e w e r e o u r g r e a t ic e -s a w s ? T o a ll th ese q u e stio n s, I w a s o b lig e d t o a n sw e r,
t o th eir g r e a t a p p a ren t su rp rise, that w e h a d n o n e , an d t o a g r e e w ith th e m that
w e w e r e u n w is e to attem p t s u c h s e r v ic e in o rd in a ry c r u is in g v e s s e ls ; b u t w e had
b e e n ord e re d to g o , an d that w a s e n o u g h — a n d g o w e s h o u ld . T h is w a n t o f
p re p a ra tio n c e rta in ly did n o t add t o th e c h a r a c t e r , fo r w is d o m , o f o u r g o v e rn m e n t
w it h this c o m m u n ity ; b u t th e y s a w u s all c h e e r fu l, y o u n g , an d h e a lth y, a n d g a v e
u s th e c h a r a c t e r th at I fo u n d o u r c o u n tr y m e n g e n e r a lly b e a r, o f r e c k le s s n e s s o f
life a n d lim b .”

Nor was this all. The vessels could not stow a year’s provisions, even
on short allowance, and fuel for a much shorter period; so that, had they
been hemmed in by the ice, every man must have perished. T o add to
the evils, the Peacock was found to be almost unseaworthy; yet, in this
unprepared condition, the squadron faced the dangers o f a high southern
latitude ; and, in spite o f every difficulty and privation, nobly performed
the duties assigned to it, discovered a new continent, and returned in
safety, owing to the skill and perseverance o f its commanders, and the
zeal and courage o f their officers and men. Their reward has been,
not the applause and gratitude o f their country, but accusations and court,
martials for the officers, and neglect o f the brave men under their orders;
but we trust, to use the emphatic words o f the author, “ that the applause
o f a grateful country has been only delayed, not wholly lost.”
On the 26th o f December, the expedition left Port Jackson, for the icy
ocean o f the south; and, on the 11th January, 1841, were stopped in
latitude 6 4 deg. 11 min. S., longitude 164 deg. 30 min. E ., by a barrier
o f ice. At this time, a faint appearance o f land was perceptible ; and
the water had become o f an olive-green color, as observed from the
Peacock. On the 13th, Lt. Com. Ringgold, o f the Porpoise, was also
confident that' land was seen. On the 16th, appearances o f land were
discovered from all three vessels, and the subsequent observations, made
along an extent o f 1,500 miles, leaves no doubt that an extensive conti­
nent exists at the South pole. A summary o f these observations is best
given in the words o f the author:—
“ A l o n g th e a n ta rc tic c o n t in e n t , fo r th e w h o le d is ta n c e e x p lo re d , w h ic h is u p ­
w a rd s o f 1 ,5 0 0 m iles , n o o p e n stra it is fo u n d .
T h e c o a s t , w h e re the i c e p e rm it­
te d a p p ro a ch , w a s fo u n d e n v e lo p e d w it h a p e rp e n d ic u la r b a rrier, in so m e c a s e s
u n b ro k e n fo r fifty m ile s . I f th e re w a s o n ly a c h a in o f islan ds, the o u tlin e o f the
i c e w o u ld u n d o u b te d ly b e o f a n o th e r f o r m ; a n d it is s c a r c e ly to b e c o n c e iv e d that
s o lo n g a c h a in sh ou ld e x te n d s o n e a rly in the sa m e p a ra lle l o f la titu d e . T h e
la n d has n o n e o f th e a b ru p tn es s o f term in a tio n th a t th e isla n d s o f h ig h so u th e rn
la titu d es e x h i b i t ; a n d I a m satisfied th a t it e x ists in o n e u n in te rru p te d lin e o f
c o a s t fro m R in g g o l d ’ s K n o ll, in the e a st, t o E n d e r b y ’ s L a n d , in the w e s t — that
th e c o a s t (a t lo n g itu d e 9 5 d e g . E . ) tren d s t o th e n orth , a n d th is w ill a c c o u n t fo r
th e i c y b a rrie r e x is t in g , w it h little a ltera tion , w h e re it w a s s e e n b y C o o k , in 17 7 3 .
T h e g r e a t n u m b er o f i c e isla n d s c o n c lu s iv e ly p oin ts o u t that th e re is s o m e e x te n ­
s iv e n u c le u s , w h ic h r e ta in s th em in th eir p o s itio n ; fo r I c a n s e e n o r e a s o n w h y
V O L . X I I . -----N O . V .




28

450

The United States Exploring Expedition.

the ice should not be disengaged from islands, if they were such, as happens in
all other seas, in like latitudes. The formation of the coast is different from what
would probably be found near islands, soundings being obtained in comparatively
shoal water; and the color of the water also indicates that it is not like other
southern lands, abrupt and precipitous. This cause is sufficient to retain the
huge masses of ice, by their being attached by their lower surfaces, instead of
their sides only.”
A reference to the chart will show the extent o f this continent ex­
plored, the perfect continuity o f its coast, and the little probability o f its
being merely a chain o f its lands; it will also afford evidence that the ac­
count which appeared in the province prints, that Captain Ross had sailed
over the site o f the supposed continent, was founded in error; an inspec­
tion o f the map demonstrates that he coasted the portion o f it which trends
to the northward, as no land to the eastward o f 160 deg. is claimed to
have been discovered by Captain Wilkes. W e would willingly pursue
this subject, but we feel assured that most o f our readers will investigate
it for themselves, and that they will rise from the perusal of the narrative
with a firm impression o f its truthfulness, and will award the honor where
it is justly due.
After this perilous cruise, in which the Peacock escaped by almost a
miracle, the squadron returned to Sydney, whence they again sailed, on
the 19th o f March, for New Zealand, and arrived in the Bay o f Islands on
the 30th. W e have already extended this notice so much further than we
originally intended, that we are obliged to conclude with a few additional
extracts from the other volumes, without attempting to follow the expe­
dition in its visits to other places.
Among the information collected whilst visiting the Fejee group, there
is a particular account o f the Bicha de Mar trade, derived principally
from Captain Eagleston, an experienced trader in those seas.
This article which finds a ready sale in the China market, is a dried
worm or sheg, which is found in great numbers on the coral reefs o f many
o f the islands in the great Southern ocean. There are many kinds o f it,
some o f which are more highly esteemed than others; they are distin­
guished by shape and co lo r; the most valuable kinds are found in water
from one to two fathoms deep. After these worms are collected, they are
thrown into bins to drain and purge, after which the larger kinds are slit
along the belly, they are then placed in proper vessels without water, and
boiled in their own liquor for about half an hour, drained, and then dried
by a slow fire in a house prepared for the purpose ; this last operation re­
quires four or five days. In the process o f drying, it loses two-thirds both
in weight and bulk ; and, when cured, resembles a smoked sausage. It
is sold in the China or Manilla market by the picul, which brings
from 15 to 25 dollars.
“ To show the profits which arise from the trade in Bicha de Mar, I give the
cost and returns of five cargoes, obtained by Captain Eagleston in the Fejee
group:—
Piculs.

Cost.

Sales

1st voyage,............ ..................
617
$1,101
$8,021
2
“
600
1,200
17,500
3
“
1,080
3,396
15,120
4
“
840
1,200
12,600
5
“
1,200
3,500
27,000
“ A further profit 'also arises from the investment of the proceeds in Canton.
Captain Eagleston also obtained 4,488 lbs. of tortoise shell, at a cost of $5,700,
which sold in the United States for $29,050 net.




The United States Exploring Expedition.

451

Although the outfit for this trade is small, the risk is so great that
no insurance can be effected on the vessels; as, without an exercise
o f the greatest precaution, it is impossible to prevent the loss o f the
vessel and crew, as the natives are ever on the watch to destroy them,
for the sake o f plunder.
After leaving the Southern ocean, the expedition proceeded to Oregon,
and a long time was spent in exploring the country and in surveying the
harbors and rivers ; the information given in the several chapters devoted
to this territory are o f much moment at this time, when its occupation
has become an object o f general attention in the United States. From
the account o f Captain Wilkes, it appears that the climate is genial and
the soil good, but it seems to be better calculated for a grazing than for
an agricultural country; one o f the great drawbacks to its prosperity is
the danger attending the navigation o f the Columbia river; this, although
greatly lessened by the excellent charts now presented, can never be en­
tirely obviated, as it arises from cross tides which are constantly chang­
ing ; added to which, they are so rapid that it is impossible to steer a
vessel by the compass, or maintain her position, and no sailing directions
can possibly embrace the various effects produced by them on a vessel.
In connection with this is the singular fact peculiar to this navigation
alone, that the safest time to enter is when wind and tide are adverse.
In consequence o f these difficulties and the want o f pilots, the Peacock
was unfortunately lost; however much this may be deplored, it is evident
that no blame can be attached to Captain Hudson or his officers; they
did all that science and skill could do in the circumstances under which
they were placed, and when these are duly known and appreciated, it
must be acknowledged, even by the most prejudicial, that praise, and not
censure, is their due reward.
After the surveys o f Oregon were accomplished, the squadron rendez­
voused at San Francisco, in California,and sailed thence in October, 1841,
for Manilla, during which passage the many shoals and islands laid down
in the charts were found not to exist. In January, 1842, the expedition
arrived at Manilla, of which, and the Philippine islands we have a full
account; from here they pursued their way through the Indian archipellago to the United States, where they arrived in June, 1842.
W e have still to notice what we consider as the most valuable portion
o f the work, and which o f itself is an ample return for all the expense
incurred by the nation in the prosecution o f the undertaking ; we allude to
the chapter on currents and whaling grounds; as it establishes the im­
portant fact that the direction o f the great currents o f the ocean, by
carrying with them the proper food o f the whale, determines not only
the resorts o f those animals, but also the seasons at which they are to
be found in each locality.
From the nature o f this paper, it would be almost impossible to give
a synopsis o f it in any reasonable limits ; we must therefore confine our­
selves to stating that after giving an account o f the various currents o f the
ocean, and showing the influence o f these in sweeping with them the
medurse, which forms the principal food o f the whale, our author goes
on to prove that it is to this cause mainly, that the whale, and more es­
pecially the sperm whale, is a migratory animal. The principal whaling
grounds are shown on the map annexed to this chapter, and it will be
seen that they occupy, in most instances, the neutral, points or spaces, in




Canal Commerce o f Ohio.

452

the ocean, where no current exists; in other words, the spots in which
their food has been accumulated by the action o f the environing cur­
rents. Captain Wilkes next gives a particular account of the various
whaling grounds, both for the sperm and the right whale, and points out
the time of the year in which they most abound in each place, and finishes
with some excellent observations and suggestions respecting this most
important trade. W e cannot to highly recommend the subject embraced
in this chapter to the attention o f the mercantile public, and more especially
to that portion o f it engaged in the whale trade.
W e cannot conclude without giving our meed o f praise to the manner
in which these volumes have been got up, both as regards their typography
and the numerous illustrations with which they are adorned; these are
truly excellent, and may be cited as the best proof o f the advanced state
o f the arts in the United States. The narrative itself is told in a clear
and engaging manner, and is exceedingly rich in almost every topic that
can gratify public curiosity.

A rt. V.— CAN AL COMMERCE OF OHIO.
T h e Eighth Annual Report o f the Board o f Public Works o f Ohio,
made to the forty-third General Assembly o f that state, at the close o f the
last year, has been printed.* It forms a pamphlet o f nearly one hundred
pages, embracing a very minute account o f the condition o f the canals,
and other public improvements, owned exclusively by the state. W e shall
endeavor to present as comprehensive a view o f the commerce o f the
state as the data, chiefly furnished in the report, will permit. The com­
plete public works o f the state are as follows:—

Ohio canal, and appendages,...............................................................
334
Miami and Warren county canals,..........................................................
85
Extension of Miami canal, and appendages,...................................
105
Wabash and Erie canal, and appendages..............................................
91
Walhonding canal,.....................................................................................
25
Hocking canal,............................................................................................
56
Muskingum Improvement,..................................................................
91
Total miles in length,...........................................................

787

T o which may be added the Northern Division o f Miami Extension, to
be completed at the opening o f the spring navigation o f 1845, 35 m iles;
making an aggregate o f 822 miles o f canals and slack-water. The other
public works consist o f the Western Reserve and Maumee road, 31 miles
in length; one-third o f the stock in the Pennsylvania' and Ohio canal,
and navigable branches, 87 miles ; the White.Water canal, 25 miles ;
and the Milan canal and slack-water, 11 miles— an aggregate o f 123
miles. The state also owns one-half the stock in twenty-six turnpike
companies, embracing near 1,000 miles o f M ’Adamized road, traversing
different sections o f the state ; and has recently subscribed to the capital
* W e are indebted to Leander R ansom , Esq., the President o f the B oard, for an early
cop y of the report.— [E d. M er. M ao.]




453

Canal Commerce o f Ohio.

stock o f several railroads, three o f which are in progress, but not com­
pleted.
The board o f public works, (consisting o f Leander Ransom, William
Spencer, and a Mr. Dickinson,} represent the business on the Ohio canal,
near the 1st of July, 1844, as having largely increased over a corres­
ponding period o f 1843. The property o f this canal, and indeed o f all
similar improvements, depends, in a great measure, on the quantity o f the
agricultural staples produced in their vicinity. Wheat, in fact, is the
great and principal staple of O hio; and, as this is materially increased or
diminished in quantity, the revenues on the public works o f the state are
correspondingly affected, as well as the prominent interests o f the people.
For a series o f years, extending from 1835 to 1842, nearly the same
quantity o f wheat and flour was shipped from the district o f country south
of, and including Roscoe, that was shipped from the district north o f that
point; but, since 1842, the difference in favor o f the northern district has
greatly increased— amounting, in 1844, out o f an aggregate shipment o f
3,624,223 bushels, to over 1,100,000 bushels. There has been, as will
be seen by the tables that follow, a very considerable increase in the
quantity o f pork shipped by the Ohio canal, the past year ; exceeding, by
over 30,000 barrels, the shipment o f any previous year. The shipments
o f wool, it appears, have more than doubled any previous yea r; amount­
ing, in the aggregate, to nearly 1,000,000 pounds.
The quantity of merchandise imported into Ohio, through this channel,
in 1844, is considerably less than the previous year. O f the merchandise
shipped at Cleveland, in 1844, amounting to 11,552,460 pounds, only
1,476,107 pounds were transported the whole distance for Portsmouth,
and the Ohio river trade. This item o f business has gradually decreased,
since 1836 ; and it is stated by the board that, should the greater part be
lost to the Ohio canal by the opening o f the Miami, it will be o f much
less consequence than many have imagined.
W e give, from the report, several tabular statements o f the receipts or
imports o f merchandise, and New York salt; and the shipments or ex­
ports o f the leading articles o f produce from the state, by this canal. The
following table exhibits the number o f pounds o f merchandise shipped by
way o f the Ohio canal, from Cleveland and Portsmouth ; the aggregate
shipments, and the proportion shipped from Cleveland, that arrived at
Portsmouth:—
P ounds

Years.
1833,.......
1834j. .. .
1835,.......
1836,.......
1837,.......
1838........
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842,.......
1843,.......
1844,.......

op

M e r c h a n d is e

From Cleveland.
9,896,440
10,127,613
14,839,950
13,384,959
10,757,386
18,875,286
19,125,282
10,783,514
15,164,747
10,091,803
13,250,758
11,552,460




s h ip p e d v i a

O h io C a n a l .

P ro p , o f mer.
shipped from
C l’v e ’ ld, that

From Portsmouth.

Aggregate.

ar. at P’tsm’ h.

5,868,605
7,220,003
3,487,271
3,763,398
7,085,735
6,747,565
5,773,929
5,111,112
5,886,587
5,176,823

20,708,555
20,604,962
14,244,657
22,638,684
26,211,017
17,531,079
20,938,676
15,202,915
19,137,345
16,729,283

5,193,784
no returns.
4,855,609
4,4£0,355
2,199,825
4,166,871
1,910,457
2,880,112
1,476,107

454

Canal Commerce o f Ohio.
B bls. P oke

Years.
1ftaa
1ftai
1R35
IRSfi
1837^.......
1838,.......
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842,.......
1843,,.....
1844,.......

Years..
1833,.......
183L____
1835,.......
1836.. ...
1837,.......
1838^.......
1839j.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842,.......
1843,.......
1844,.......

s h ip p e d v i a

O hio C a n a l .

Rec’d at
Rec’d at
Cleveland. Portsm’th. Aggregate.

L bs. L a k d

Rec’d at
Cleveland.

shipped v ia

O hio C a n a l .

Rec’d at
Portsm’th.

Aggregate.

........................................................................................
13 572
56*077
46,767
37,230
26,441
39,200
58,608
22,810
45,174

29,501
14,812
23,847
15,500
8,969
31,209
26,420
45,036
70,295

43,073
70,889
70,614
52,730
35,410
70,409
85,028
67,846
115,469

522,498
638^269
1,527,610
1,157,109
857,455
525,802
961,161
1,311,185
1,649,835
1,540,135

Pounds o f Wool.
Rec’d at
Rec'd at
Cleveland. Portsmouth. Aggregate.

32,176
48,222
107,805
199,803
391,138
848,878

49,926
15,127
25,548
24,857
38,541
129,916

82,102
63,349
133,353
224,660
429,679
978,794

................
................
22,800
987,122
577,156
466,447
1,361,718
1,832,262
3,274,066
4,080,351

1,550,410
2,144,231
1,434,611
992,249
2,322,879
3,143,447
4,923,901
5,620,486
Bush, of
Bbls. of New York Salt. min. coal
From
Prop, arrived rec’d at
Cleveland, at Portsm’th. Clevel’d.
49,131
28,447
.......
95,634
36303
.......
50,473
46,139
8,438
84,124
22,331
......
183,484
62^977
154
73,292
63,465
998
134,881
109,916
17,029
172,206
77,254
12,390
478,370
59,773
1,440
466,844
49,556
339
44,310
183
387,834
540,305
73,325
454

The statements below, point out the several particulars :—
3.
1.
2.

4.

1,154
1835,.......
1,048,827
387,232
132,319
1836,.......
1,300,976
463,821
3,399
167,431
735
1,567,596
1837,.......
549,141
203,691
1838........
2,368
2,666,337
1,229,012
287,465
1839,.......
2,840,255
1,100
1,515,820
264,887
505,461
4,682,712
1840,.......
2,155,407
1841,.......
3,771,546
128,191
1,564,421
441,425
1842,....,.
3,775,220
1,311,665
492,711
3,700,381
605
1843,.......
813,536
577,369
1844,......
3,447,046
487
494,909
976,551
N o t e .— Column 1 contains the number of bushels of wheat received at Cleveland, via
Ohio canal; 2, number of barrels of flour received at Cleveland, via Ohio canal; 3, ag­
gregate bushels of wheat, (reckoning a barrel of flour at five bushels,) received at Cleve­
land ; 4, number of bushels of wheat received at Portsmouth, via Ohio canal.
6.
9.
5.
7.
8.
25,745
129,879
601,448
1,178,706
577,258
32,629
166,544
1,467,520
629,670
837,850
13,546
813,036
68,465
1,636,061
823.025
13,898
1,345,368
71,858
2,738,195
1,392,827
6,932
35,760
3,876,015
1,538,418
1,337,597
2,705,401
34,134
170,670
4,853,382
2,147,981
2,293,052
62,441
4,211,942
1,918,890
440,396
2,059,942
18,688
93,440
3,868,660
1,808,718
2,404,449
28,736
144,2853,844,666
1,440,217
2,404,194
35,338
3,624,223
1,220,029
177,177
N o t e .— Column 5 shows the number o f barrels of flour received at Portsmouth; 6 ,
aggregate bushels of wheat, (reckoning a barrel of flour five bushels,) received at Ports­
mouth ; 7, grand aggregate of wheat shipped on the Ohio canal; 8, proportion of the
foregoing grand aggregate shipped from a district south of, and including Roscoe, which
also includes Zanesville wheat; 9, proportion shipped from the district north of Roscoe,
1835,.......
1836........
1837,.......
1838........
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.,....
1842, * ...
1843,.......
1844,.......




I

455

Canal Commerce o f Ohio.

There has been received, by the collector on this canal, for tolls, fines,
and water-rents, for the year ending November 15, 1844, as reported to
the auditor o f state,.......................................... $343,710 99
Amount thus reported last year,........... . .
324,259 81
W hich shows an increase, for the year, o f . ................. .
$19,451 18
W a l h o n d i n g C a n a l . — The amount received by the collector, for
tolls, fines, and water-rents, on this work, for the year ending November
15, 1844, as reported to the auditor o f state, is. $1,976 78
The amount reported last year, w a s .. . . . . .
610 32
Showing an increase, for the year, o f ...................................... $1,366 46
The following are a portion o f the leading articles shipped on this canal,
since its completion :—
1842.
1843.
1844.
Wheat,.................................bush.
Flour,................................... bbls.
W ool,..................................... lbs.

21,133
3,554
80

31,371
6,595
5,511

100,714
10,060
41,926

There has been paid on this canal, for the year ending November 15,
1844, by Leander Ransom, acting commissioner—
For superintendence and repairs,................... .......................
$1,20Q 00
For incidental expenses,............... ..........................................
38 10
Total payments for the year,.....................................
$1,238 10
C a n a l . — The amount received by the collectors on this work,
for tolls, fines, and water-rents, for the year ending November 15, 1844,
as reported to the auditor o f state, i s . . . .............................
$5,286 44
Amount reported to him last year,...................................
4,349 33
H

o c k in g

Showing an increase, for the year, o f . ........... ....................
$937 11
The deficiency in the crop o f wheat in this valley, for the last three
years, has had a very decided effect on the revenues o f this work.
Annexed, is a comparative statement o f some of the leading articles
transported on this canal, since it was opened for navigation :—
1840.
1841.
1842.
1843.
1844.
Wheat.................................bush.
Flour,...................................bbls.
Coal.................................... bush.
Salt, (domestic,)................. bbls.

17,908
274
....
....

70,680
6,163
31,981
4,186

41,988
13,662
80,329
6,777

33,896
20,464
127,853
10,279

44,046
11,960
118,004
9,416

M u s k in g u m I m p r o v e m e n t . — The amount received on this work b y
the collectors, for tolls, fines, and water-rents, for the year ending N o­
vember 15, 1844, as reported to the auditor, is................
$29,384 64
The amount thus reported last year, w as......................
22,340 98

$7,043 66
Showing an increase, for the year, of.
The following statement shows a portion o f the leading articles trans­
ported on this improvement, since its completion:—
1844.
1842.
1843.
1840.
1841.
Shipped.
Flour,.............................. bbls.
Salt...........................................
Merchandise,*................... lbs.

23,494
1,705
.......

79,727
13,672
117,148

95,762
8,774
629,773

109,986
97,558
11,773
19,042
2,274,873 3,415,647

* Received at Harmar, to pass up the Improvement.




456

The Precious Metals in Russia.

M i a m i C a n a l . — There has been a steady and gradual improvement in
the business o f this canal for the last three years, as will be shown by
the annexed tabular statements o f the receipts and shipments o f a few of
the most prominent staple articles o f the country, and the merchandise
shipped from, and received at, two o f the most important points :—
S h ifted

from

C in c in n a t i ,

v ia th e

Can al.

1 8 3 9.
1840.
1841.
1 8 4 2.
1 8 4 3.
1 8 4 4.
Merchandise,.. ......lbs. 8,664,640 5,566,282 4,359,433 2,842,861 3,651,293 4,112,291
3,191,085 2,007,192 1,989,105 1.267,322 1,510,891 1,326,263
Iron and nails,.
Castings,.........
1,449,788 496,143 no returns, no returns, no returns. 259,818
Pig iron,..........
659,371 308,142 400,201 386,568 419,427
817,643
Salt,.................
23,061
21,928
23,120
16,518
21,982
17,489
R

ec eive d a t

C in c in n a t i ,

1840.
165,762
74,026

v ia th e

C anal.

1 8 4 2.
18 4 3.
18 4 4.
Flour,...............
74,204 127,093
133,544
Whiskey,.........
48,853
58,798
68,933
Pork, (including bulk
pork and bacon,)__
67,736
31,795
33,255
36,208
25,252
47,154
Lard,................
2,562,192 1,238,280 1,749,151 1,793,731 1,543,256 4,298,743
Wheat,............
97,200 no returns.
5,283
5,983
13,272
1 8 3 9.
138,120
43,228

S h ipped

from

1841.
118,577
69,893

D

ayton.

Flour,............... ...bbls.
Whiskey,.........
Pork, (including bulk
pork and bacon,)....
Lard,...............
Wheat,............

1839.
54,999
20,694

1840.
79,862
37,129

1 8 4 1.
68,379
41,103

8,879
348,218
4,698

5,379
246,863
840

10,018
431,975
1,191

Merchandise.......... lbs.
Pig iron,......................
Castings,.....................
Iron and nails,............
Salt....................... bbls.

1 8 3 9.
3,577,982
147,059
766,860
1,422,803
no returns.

R

eceive d a t

1842.
37,032
31,982

18 4 3.
73,188
37,370

18 4 4.
87,207
38,512

11,295
11,648
14,539
793,648 1,331,805 1,497,196
155
298
2,685

D ayton.

1840.
1841.
1842.
1843.
1 8 4 4.
2,714,503 2,951,557 1,915,253 2,960,703 3,240,979
no returns. 271,961
262,002 387,663 613,527
no returns. 484,462
51,556 175,556 227,126
1,136,262 1,463,676
872,324 1,586,227 1,281,648
6,874
12,401
7,599
13,029
9,900

There has been received, for tolls, fines, and water-rents, during the
year ending November 15, 1844,........................................
$77,844 25
There was received, during the year ending November
15, 1843,.........................................................................
68,640 09
Showing an increase, for the present year, o f . ................

$9,204 16

A rt . VI.— TH E PRECIOUS M ETALS IN RUSSIA.
THE SILVER MINING SYSTEM.

As the silver mines o f Russia belong principally or almost wholly to
the Emperor, a much more strict and rigorous system is pursued than
where, as in the gold mines, the operations are left to private speculation.
Mr. Cottrell, in the course o f his journey through Siberia, visited the
emperor’s silver-mines at Zouenogorsk. These mines consist o f a series
o f subterranean caverns and long galleries. After a descent by a stair­
case upwards o f three hundred feet deep, there occurs a gallery nine




The Precious M etals in Russia.

457

hundred feet long, at the end o f which is a water-wheel forty-two feet in
diameter. This wheel, which is called the preobraschenska, is set to
work by water brought along two canals excavated under ground ; and
the wheel itself is employed in lifting the silver-ore to the mouth o f the
mine. There are three other water-wheels in different parts o f the mine,
to facilitate the operations. Farther on, galleries are cut in every di­
rection, leading to other shafts which have ceased to be worked.
These mines have been worked above a century, and are becoming
almost exhausted, yielding only one part o f silver from two hundred
thousand parts o f ore or rock. The workmen employed are serfs o f the
crown, who receive two rubles a month each, besides twelve puds o f flour
monthly, and house-rent free. The labor is not very excessive ; the works
are going on night and day, but three sets o f workmen are employed,
who relieve each other every eight hours, so that no one works above
eight hours in the twenty-four. These mines have produced altogether
during the period o f rather more than a century that they have been
crown property, about fifty thousand puds o f silver, and seventeen hundred
puds o f gold, besides lead and other minerals o f more or less value. At
present the net produce is supposd to be worth about thirty thousand
pounds sterling annually. The establishment is on a large scale, em­
ploying in the laboratory part alone about three hundred m en ; and the
arrangements are planned with the most perfect regularity.
The mode o f procuring silver from the crude substance which it contains
is very different from that adopted in respect to gold, arising from the
different state in which the two metals present themselves. The gold,
as we stated in the former article, is found mixed up with grains o f sand;
and the mo le o f separating it is as follow s:— On an inclined plane is
placed a large wooden machine formed into different compartments,
which are divided off by large iron combs. T he first o f these combs is
coarse and open, as the material to pass through it is composed o f pieces
o f quartz, stone, and sand, mixed together. Gold is generally found in
quartz, as well as interspersed among the fragments; and to obtain the
former, the quartz is bruised into moderate-sized pieces; but the time
employed in so doing is often times greater thai^ the value o f the gold
will repay, and therefore a good deal o f the gold is voluntarily sacrificed.
When the auriferous fragments are placed in one o f the compartments,
water is poured on the mass, and stirred about; the larger pieces o f stone
and much o f the sand separate, while the heavier particles o f gold fall to
the bottom. Again and again is this washing performed, until all the
sand is washed away, and the particles o f gold are left nearly in a pure
state. O f this mode o f proceeding Mr. Cottrell says that it is very simple,
though improvements in machinery would diminish the expense consider­
ably ; and what is o f more consequence, from the want o f workmen,
enable them to increase their operations considerably, which must now
be limited in proportion to the number o f laborers they can obtain. W e
believe it would be a most profitable speculation for any clever inventor
o f machinery to go there to devise some new plan for clearing the mate­
rials from which the gold is extracted; and we are convinced he would
make his fortune, as he might obtain a patent as easily as in this country.
Not only are grains o f gold found in this way mingled up with grains o f
sand and small pieces o f stone, but occasionally pieces o f six and seven
pounds’ weight are found; and on one occasion a mass weighing twenty
four pounds was found almost wholly pure gold.




458

The Precious Metals in Russia*

But with respect to silver, the mode o f extraction is very different. It
is found in a very hard rock o f granite and porphyry. This rock is in
the first place blasted by means o f gunpowder: and the masses thus
separated are broken up into small pieces with hammers. These smaller
pieces are finally pounded by large hammers worked by machinery.
The stone so pounded is put into furnaces for the separation o f the metallic
particles from the dross; this is done in immense smelting-houses, where
a current o f air is brought in from openings above to act the part o f bel­
lows, and create a draught in the furnace below ; from whence the sub­
stance is poured out, cleared o f its baser parts, but apparently not much
more purified than when it was put'in. The next process takes place in
another furnace, where all the metallic particles, except the silver, are
removed. Lastly, the nearly purified silver is put into a doubly-heated
refining furnace, called a treib-ofen, together with pieces o f lead, which,
when melted, draw off with them any remaining drossy particles that may
have escaped the previous processes ; the silver, being the heavier metal,
sinks to the bottom o f the furnace, where it is left till cold. The silver
when taken out cold from, the furnace, is forwarded to the Mint at St.
Petersburg, whe re a further process o f refining takes place, to separate
from it the particles o f gold, which are always found with the silver in
greater or lesser quantity.
In the neighborhood o f Barnaoul, too, there are silver-mines belonging
to the crown, the produce o f which is sent to that town for smelting into
large bars. Five hundred men are employed in the laboratory, which is
a quarter o f a verst square. One o f the smelting-houses is three hundred
feet long, and another nearly four hundred feet; they are very wide, and
have several tiers o f furnaces, which are supplied by a staircase behind,
and provided with bellows o f most gigantic dimensions. The annual
produce is stated at about two hundred and fifty puds o f silver, and a
million o f other metals, principally lead, copper, and iron. W hen the
silver is sent to St. Petersburg, gold is extracted from it in proportion,
o f about twenty-five puds o f gold to a thousand puds o f silver. There are
one hundred, and fifteen smelting ovens in all, twelve large open hearths,
twelve refining-furnaces^ five furnaces for separating the copper, and four­
teen calcining-ovens. Four hundred thousand puds o f coal for the re­
fining-furnaces, and five million puds for other furnaces and ovens, are
consumed annually.
The whole population o f the province or government o f Tomsk, amount­
ing to a hundred thousand, are more or less employed in these various
mining operations ; for, besides the government officials, the miners, and
washers, and the refiners, there are large bodies o f persons constantly
employed in transporting the ore to the works, and the metal from the
works to different parts o f the empire ; so that a district in the heart o f
Siberia, which we are apt to picture to ourselves as being only the scene
o f horrors, exiles, privation, and labor in chains, is really a bustling
and flourishing place.
In one or two districts farther west than those noticed above, there are
other establishments for working mines o f the precious as well as those
o f the inferior metals. At the flourishing town o f Ekaterineburg, situ­
ated at the foot o f the mountains which separate Siberia from Russia
proper, are some very large establishments o f this kind. Mr. Cottrell,
in the course o f a western journey o f four thousand miles from Irktusk to
St. Petersburg, stopped a little while at this town, and thus speaks o f




Annals o f American Commerce.

459

some o f the .operations in the neighborhood :— “ There are two establish,
ments belonging to individuals, which are really royal. The one between
thirty and forty versts’ distance belonging to M. Jacoblef} a gentleman
o f St. Petersburg, perhaps in absolute ready money, the wealthiest
in the w orld: and the other three hundred versts off, which we had not
time to visit, belonging to Mr. Demidof, who is known personally to
many o f our readers, and to many more by the fame o f his colossal fortune,
which is, however, far smaller than that o f M. Jacoblef. The establish­
ment o f the latter gentleman is a complete town. He employs several
thousand workmen, who are all well lodged and fed. There are for
their use an hospital, church, various schools, a public dispensary, clergy,
medical men, schoolmasters, and very good shops o f every kind, all belonging to the proprietor, and kept up at his expense. The director o f
the whole has a salary o f fifty thousand roubles a y e a r; and the appear­
ance o f comfort and good management that pervades it, is the best proof
that the establishment is flourishing, not less as it regards the employer
than the employed.”
Gold-mines were part o f the wealth here alluded to as possessed by
M. Jacoblef; but iron constitutes the principal element o f his commercial
greatness. The large works o f M. Demidof relate to copper, platinum,
and molachite. In 1840 he brought into the market a hundred puds o f
platinum— an enormous quantity, when the costly value o f the metal is
taken into account.
These details seem to show that there are agencies at wrork in the
heart o f the Russian empire, which will give to it a commercial character
not to-be despised, however small when compared with that o f England.
From the descriptions given by Mr. Cottrell, it appears that the population
in those manufacturing towns, comprising a large section of the middle
classes to which manufacturers are sure indirectly to give rise, is far in
advance o f the population o f other towns in the empire, where the mili­
tary and government officials are the only important persons in the place.
H e says that at Barnaoul, the center o f the busy smelting and refining1
district, there are more persons o f literary acquirement than in all the
rest o f Siberia put together; although Tobolsk, Irktusk, Tomsk, & c., are
the great government stations o f the country, and have large numbers o f
officers and official agents.

A kt. V I I .— A N N A L S O F A M E R I C A N C O M M E R C E .— N o . V I I .

1801. Commerce.— The value o f the exports o f the United States was
upwards o f $93,000,000. The tonnage o f the United States was upwards
o f $900,000. The amount o f duties received by the United States was
upwards o f $20,000,000; and o f drawbacks paid by the states, toward
$ 8,000,000 .
Newspapers.— There were now printed in the United States about 200
newspapers ; 17 o f which were printed daily ; 7, three times a week ;
30, twice a week ; and 146 weekly.
1802. Merino sheep.— David Humphreys, late minister to the court o f
Madrid, imported into New England 100 o f the Merino breed o f sheep
from Spain, to improve the breed o f that useful animal in his own coun­
try. Some were also imported by R . R . Livingston.




460

Annals o f American Commerce.

Sheet copper.— The only manufactory o f sheet copper in America was
in Massachusetts.
Louisiana.— The value o f the articles imported this year into the United
Slates from Louisiana and the Floridas was $1,006,214 ; the value o f the
articles exported to those places was above $1,100,000.*
1803. Louisiana purchased by the United States.— Louisiana was
purchased of the French republic by the United States for $15,000,000.
On a representation to the Spanish government o f the injury done to the
United States by its officer, who had suspended the right o f deposit at
N ew Orleans, that right had been restored. The government, however,
had been previously aware o f the danger to which the public peace would
be perpetually exposed, whilst so important a key to the commerce o f the
western country remained under a foreign power ; and propositions had
been authorized for obtaining, on fair conditions, the sovereignty o f New
Orleans, and o f other possessions in that quarter. At this juncture, the
government o f France, perceiving the importance, to both nations, o f such
arrangements as might permanently promote their mutual peace, interests,
and friendship, transferred to the United States, on certain conditions, the
property and sovereignty o f all Louisiana.
1804. Genesee.— The harbor o f Genesee was made a port o f entry.
1806. Treaty with Great Britain— not ratified.— A treaty o f amity,
commerce, and navigation, between Great Britain and the United States,
was concluded at London, and signed by the American commissioners,
Monroe and Pinckney; but it was not ratified by the American gov­
ernment.
Lehigh coal.— The Lehigh coal, obtained at the Mauch Chunk moun­
tain, in Pennsylvania, which had for some time been only used by the
blacksmiths and people in the immediate vicinity, was brought into no­
tice. William Turnbull had an ark constructed at Lausanne, which
brought down 200 or 300 bushels to Philadelphia.!
1808. Slave trade abolished.— The importation o f Africans into the
United States ceased by law on the 1st of January.
1810. Rambouillet decree.— The Rambouillet decree, alleged to be
designed to retaliate the act o f Congress which forbade French vessels to
enter the ports o f the United States, was issued by Bonaparte on the 23d
o f March. By this decree, all American vessels and cargoes, arriving in
any o f the ports o f France, or o f countries occupied by French troops,
were ordered to be seized and condemned.
1811. Sugar, wine, and oil made in Georgia.— On the failure o f cot­
ton, the planters o f Georgia turned their attention to sugar, wine, and
oil. Mr. John Cooper, o f St. Simon’s made two pipes o f excellent red
* The estimate is $1,124,710; of which $170,110 worth only were domestic
articles.
t Account of the discovery of anthracite coal on the Lehigh, by Thomas C. James.
M. D., in Memoirs Pennsylvania, Hist. Society, i. 315. About the beginning of the
year 1792, the “ Lehigh Coal Mine Company” was formed, but without a charter of in­
corporation. This company “ took up about 8 or 10,000 acres of, until then, unlocated
land, including the Mauch Chunk mountain, but probably never worked the mine.” In
the trial of the coal, in 1806, it was “ rejected as unm anageableand seems not to have
been extensively used until about the year 1820. That year, the quantity of coal sent
from Mauch Chunk to Philadelphia by water was 16,000 bushels. The quantity was
very rapidly increased annually until 1825, when it was 546,236 bushels. In half the
season, up to the 10th of August, 1826, there descended to Philadelphia 20,260 tons,
equal to 567,280 bushels.




Annals o f American Commerce.

461

wine. Sweet and castor oil was made in great abundance on the sea
coast o f Georgia. Mr. Thomas Spalding, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Grant,
made parcels o f Muscovado sugar. At Mr. Spalding’s plantation, on
Sapelo island, were made twenty-five pounds o f good sugar, and the next
year, eighty-four pounds.
Trade with Asia.— The sum o f $2,950,000 was shipped from the
port o f Philadelphia alone to Canton and Calcutta; supposed to be about
one-half of the whole amount exported in this year from the United States
to Asia.
Hemp.— Kentucky manufactures o f hemp were valued at $500,000.
1812. Embargo law.— A law was passed on the 3d o f April, and
signed by the president on the 4th, laying an embargo for 90 days. An
act was soon after passed, to prohibit the exportation o f specie, goods,
wares, and merchandise, during the continuance o f the embargo.
1813. Cotton manufactories.— In Baltimore and its vicinity there were
now running about 9,000 spindles in the cotton manufactories ; 1,500 or
2,000 more were to go into operation before the 1st o f January.
1815. Commercial convention.— A convention to regulate the com­
merce between the territories o f the United States and of his Britannic
majesty was signed at London on the 3d o f July. By the first article, a
reciprocal liberty o f commerce was agreed upon between the territories
o f the United States o f America and all the territories o f his Britannic
majesty in Europe. This convention was ratified by the president on the
22d o f December.
Roads and canals.— The president recalled the attention o f Congress
to the great importance o f establishing throughout our country the roads
and canals which can best be executed under the national authority; ob­
serving, that considerations o f political economy are strengthened “ by
the political effects o f these facilities for intercommunication, in bringing
and binding more closely together the various parts o f our extended
confederacy.” A water intercourse with Concord, in New Hampsl ire,
was opened by way of the canals on the Merrimack. The first boat o f
the Merrimack Company arrived at the landing at Concord on the 23d o f
June.
1816. Bank.— A National Bank was established by act o f Congress.
Emigrations to the United States.— In this and the preceding year there
were great emigrations from England and Ireland to America. This
year, 1,192 American and foreign vessels arrived at New York, bringing
to that port alone 7,122 passengers.
1817. New York canal.— The first law, establishing a canal fund, and
directing the canal to be commenced, was passed by the legislature o f
N ew York. The first excavation was begun on the 4th o f July.
Manufactures.— The Delaware Society for promoting American manu­
factures was instituted at Wilmington. The Scotch loom, by Gilmore,
was introduced at the Lyman factory, at North Providence.
1819. Steam-ship.— The first steam-ship sailed for Europe in May.
1822.
Steamboats on the Mississippi.—In nine years, since the en­
rollment and license o f the first steamboat employed in trade on the Mis­
sissippi, there were 89 boats enrolled at the port o f New Orleans, form­
ing, in the aggregate, a tonnage exceeding 18,000 tons. The Arkansas
river had already been several times ascended by a steamboat, more than
500 miles from the Mississippi.




462

Mercantile Law Cases.

1823. C anal navigation. — On the 1st o f Ootober the whole line o f the
canal between Albany and Schenectady was prepared for the reception
o f water. On that part o f the line there were two stupendous aqueducts,
and 29 locks between Albany and Schenectady. On the 8th o f the
month, the first boats passed from the west and north, through the canal,
into the tide waters o f Hudson and Albany, amidst the celebration of
thousands.
Patterson.— At Patterson, New Jersey, there were 3 extensive woollen
factories, and 2 duck factories, supplying, in a great measure, the United
States navy with canvass, and consuming upwards o f 1 ton o f flax per
day; 3 factories making machinery, one o f which is stated to be the most
extensive and complete o f any in the United States ; 3 most extensive
bleach greens ; 2 brass and iron foundries ; saw and grist mills ; paper
m ill; rolling and slitting m ill; nail factory, and a reed factory. There
also were 4 places o f public worship, 1 seminary, 6 schools, and 2 print­
ing offices.
1824. S u g a r. — The crop o f sugar in Louisiana was estinated at
40,000 hogsheads.
1826. Railroad.— The Quincy railroad was opened on 7th October.
T rea ty with C en tral A m erica . — A general convention o f peace, amity,
commerce, and navigation, between the United States o f America and
the federation o f the Centre o f America, was ratified by the president, on
the 28th o f October.
C anal. — The line o f the Blackstone canal from Worcester to Provi­
dence was marked o u t; about 500 hundred hands were actively engaged
in its construction.

MERCANTILE

LAW

MERCANTILE

DEPARTMENT.
LAW

CASES.

COLLISION— THE ITINERANT.

I n th e B ritish A d m ir a lty C o u rt, b e fo r e D r . L u s h in g to n , J a n u a ry 2 3 , 1 8 4 4 .
D r . L u s h in g to n g a v e ju d g m e n t in this c a s e , w h ic h stood o v e r fro m the 2 0 th o f
D e c e m b e r , 1 8 4 3 , to en a b le the C o u r t a n d T r in it y M a s te rs to c o n s id e r s o m e n ic e
n a u t ic a l p o in ts. T h e le a rn e d ju d g e n o w sta ted , w it h r e fe r e n c e t o th e fa c t s , th a t it
m ig h t h a v e b e e n p ru d e n t fo r th e Itin e ra n t, w h ic h , in a f o g g y n ig h t, w a s u n d e r a
p re s s o f sa il, t o h a v e t a k e n in h e r stu d d in g s a i l s ; b u t th e C o u r t w a s n o t o f o p in io n
th a t th e c o llis io n w a% o c c a s io n e d b y th e o m is s io n o f th e Itin e ra n t so t o d o, a n d
th a t th e c o n d u c t o f that v e s s e l did n o t m a k e h e r re sp o n sib le fo r th e d a m a g e s u s ­
ta in e d b y th e I s a b e lla .
T h e fo u n d a tio n o f th e ju d g m e n t o f the C o u r t w a s , th a t
w h e r e m e a s u r e s o f p ru d e n c e o u g h t to b e a d op ted , w h ic h m u st b e v e r y d ifficu lt, an d
a lm o s t im p oss ib le t o d efin e b e fo re h a n d , a n d w h ic h p a r tic u la r m e a s u r e s m u s t d e p e n d
u p o n c ir c u m s t a n c e s a lm ost a lw a y s v a r y in g — s u c h a s th e state o f th e w in d , th e tide,
a n d th e n u m b e r o f v e s s e ls in th e n e ig h b o r h o o d — it w a s im p o s s ib le t o a s c r ib e
d ir e c t b la m e t o a n y v e s s e l, m e re ly b e c a u s e sh e d id n o t a d op t a p a rticu la r m e a s u re
o f p r e c a u tio n w h ic h c o u ld n o t be d efin ed b e fo re h a n d ; an d a s the o n u s la y o n th e
p a r ty c h a r g in g th e Itin era n t t o m a k e o u t th eir c a s e , a n d a s th e y h a d n o t d o n e s o
s a tis fa cto r ily t o th e C o u rt, that v e s s e l w a s n o t h e ld r e sp o n sib le .
B u t it w a s n o t
t o b e u n d e rsto o d , (t h e le a rn e d ju d g e a d d e d ,) fr o m this ju d g m e n t , th a t in e v e r y
c a s e o f th is k in d th e C o u r t w o u ld h o ld the p a rty d is ch a r g e d fr o m lia b ility . I n
th e p re s e n t c a s e , b oth th e C o u r t an d th e T r in it y M a s t e r s r e le a s e d th e Itin e ra n t,
m o re e s p e c ia lly o n th e g r o u n d th at th e y w e r e a ll o f o p in io n th at th e a c c id e n t
w o u ld h a v e o c c u r r e d , le t w h a t m ig h t h a v e b e e n d o n e .




Mercantile Law Cases.

463

BOTTOMRY BOND— THE SHIP LORD COCHRANE.

I h th e B ritish A d m ira lty C o u rt, J u n e 2 1 , 1 8 4 4 . T h is w a s a q u e s tio n a s to the
v a lid ity o f a b o tto m ry b o n d , g iv e n a t P e r n a m b u c o , u p o n the sh ip , c a r g o , an d
fr e ig h t.
T h e v e s s e l, w h ic h b e lo n g e d to M r . B e n s o n , o f L iv e r p o o l, le ft this c o u n ­
t r y in the s p rin g o f 1 8 3 9 , d estin ed t o th e isla n d o f A s c e n s io n , w ith g o v e rn m e n t
s t o r e s , an d a fte rw a rd s to g o to P e r n a m b u c o fo r c a r g o .
S h e la n d ed the s to re s a t
A s c e n s io n , d isp o s e d o f th e rem a in d er o f h e r c a r g o a t P e rn a m b u c o , a n d t o o k a
h o m e w a r d fre ig h t.
In le a v in g th e p ort, sh e su sta in ed d a m a g e b y ru n n in g o n th e
b a r, a n d w a s fo r c e d to p u t b a c k an d rep a ir. T h e b on d w a s g iv e n t o c o v e r ad ­
v a n c e s fo r th is p u rp os e, an d the r e s u lt o f this a c c id e n t w a s v e r y u n fo rtu n a te , th e
re p a irs an d e x p e n s e s in c u r r e d b y th e m a ste r e x c e e d in g th e v a lu e o f the sh ip an d
f r e i g h t ; a n d the p res en t q u e s tio n w a s , w h e th e r the re m a in d e r, n e a rly fifiO O l.,
•should fa ll u p o n th e c a r g o .

Dr. Addams, (with whom was Dr. Bayford,) in opposition to the bond, did not
question its validity, generally; but as affecting the cargo, and the owners of the
cargo. Till the case of the Gratitudine, it was a question whether, under any
circumstances, it was in the power of the master of a ship to hypothecate the
cargo; but, in that case, Lord Stowell held that a master might, under particular
and special circumstances, hypothecate cargo. In this case, there were no such
special circumstances; and the advances made under the bond, though they might
be for the benefit of the ship and freight, were not for the benefit of the cargo.
Dr. Lushington, without hearing Dr. Harding and Dr. Elphinstone in support
of the bond, was clearly of opinion that there was no tenable ground of opposi­
tion to it. The master was without funds or credit at Pernambuco ; and, although
the respectability of the owner was well known, he had furnished the master with
no authority to draw upon any person in the Brazils; and there was nothing in
■the whole transaction, unfortunate as it had turned out, which had the slightest
•appearance of fraud or impropriety. On the contrary, the agent for Messrs.
M’Calment & Co., who had advanced the money, had acted for the best. The
shippers of the cargo were upon the spot, and could have objected; but, with one
or two trifling exceptions, they had acquiesced. It was idle to suppose that the
•cargo could be exempted from liability, where the ship and freight were insuffi­
cient ; and he pronounced for the validity of the bond, with interest and costs.
COLLISION— SCHOONERS CHRISTINA AND D R AP ER .

I n th e B ritis h A d m ir a lty C o u rt, M a r c h 1 2 , 1 8 4 4 .
T h e c o llis io n in th is c a s e
o c c u r r e d o n th e n ig h t o f th e 2 9 th o f N o v e m b e r, b e t w e e n t w o s c h o o n e rs — th e
C h ristin a , o f 1 0 0 to n s, a n d th e D r a p e r, o f 8 0 t o n s ; th e fo rm e r o n h e r v o y a g e t o
R o u e n , w it h c o a ls , th e la tter fro m E x m o u th to P o rts m o u th , w it h g e n e r a l m e rc h a n ­
d is e . T h e p la c e o f the a c c id e n t w a s b e tw e e n D u n g e n e s s an d th e N o rth F o re la n d .
T h e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f th e c o llis io n w e r e , that the D r a p e r sa n k in a q u a rte r o f a n
h o a r a fterw a rd s, a n d th e C h ristin a w a s o b lig e d to p u t in to R a m s g a t e t o re p a ir h e r
•damage.
T h e e v id e n c e a s t o a ll th e m a teria l fa cts— d ire c tio n o f th e w in d , c o u r s e s
o f th e v e s s e ls , p oin ts fro m w h e n c e s e e n , a n d m e a s u re s t a k e n b e fo re a n d a fte r th e
• occu rren ce— w a s in a sta te o f u tter c o n flic t .
T h e C o u r t w a s a ss iste d b y T r in it y
M a s te rs .
A ft e r h e a r in g D r . A d d a m s an d D r . P ra tt fo r th e D r a p e r, a n d th e
Q u e e n ’ s A d v o c a t e a n d D r . B a y fo r d fo r th e C h ristin a , D r . L u s h in g to n su m m e d u p
th e c a s e t o th e g e n t le m e n b y w h o m h e w a s a ssisted , o b s e r v in g that it w a s w h o lly
im p o s s ib le t o r e c o n c ile th e affida vits, a n d d ifficu lt t o s a y to w h ie h sid e c re d it s h o u ld
b e g iv e n .
T h e T r in it y M a s te rs sa id th at this c a s e w a s s o c o n tra d ic to ry , a lto ­
g e th e r , in its sta tem en ts, th a t, p re v io u s to c o m in g in to C o u rt, th e y h a d re q u e s te d
th e a s s is ta n c e o f th e D e p u ty -M a s te r. B o th v e s s e ls stated that th e y s a w th e o th e r
o n th e le e b o w , s t e e r in g in o p p o site d ire c tio n s , an d b oth sta ted th a t t h e y w e r e
c lo s e -h a u le d , w h ic h w a s im p o s s ib le . F r o m c e rta in ad m itted fa cts , h o w e v e r , t h e y
w e r e o f o p in io n th at th e C h ristin a ’ s sta tem en t h a d b e e n b o r n e o u t, a n d th a t n o
b la m e a tta ch ed t o h e r ; b u t th a t th e b la m e a tta ch e d e x c lu s iv e ly t o th e D r a p e r,
th e v e s s e l su n k . T h e le a r n e d ju d g e p ro n o u n ce d fo r th e d a m a g e ; a d d in g that,
h o w e v e r h e m ig h t r e g r e t it, y e t, a c c o r d in g to th e p rin cip le s a d op ted in o th e r C o u rts ,
a n d a s a m atter o f ju s t ic e t o th e o th e r p a rty , h e w a s b ou n d t o g iv e th e co s ts .




464

Mercantile Law Cases.
MARINE INSURANCE— ELLW AND VS. m ’ b ONNELL.

I n the B ritish R o l l s ’ C o u rt, J u ly 6 , 1 8 4 4 , b e fo re L o r d L a n g d a le .
T h is ca u s e
c a m e o n u p o n th e d efen d a n t’s e x c e p t io n s t o th e m a ste r’ s rep ort, that h is fu rth e r
a n s w e r w a s in s u fficie n t. M r . K in d e r s le y , M r. T u r n e r , a n d M r. H e t h e r in g to n ,
w e r e fo r th e d efen d a n t a g a in st, an d M r. H ea th field fo r the p la in tiff fo r, the report.
T h e b ill stated th e form a tion , in D u b lin , o f “ T h e P a t rio t ic A s s u r a n c e C o m p a n y
o f Ire la n d ,” in 1 8 2 6 ; th eir e m p lo y m e n t o f the d efen d a n t, w h o , at th e tim e o f
filin g th e b ill, w a s a m em b er, a s th e ir a g e n t in E n g la n d ; th at W il l i a m E llw a n d ,
th e p la in tiff’ s fa th er, in s u red w ith th em g o o d s o n b oa rd th e A n n e , fr o m L iv e r p o o l
t o B u e n o s A y r e s ; an d th e d efen d a n t, as the c o m p a n y ’s a g e n t, s ig n e d the p o lic y fo r
5001. T h e A n n e w a s ca p tu re d b y th e B r a z ilia n g o v e rn m e n t, an d th e g o o d s w e r e
s e iz e d a n d c o n d e m n e d .
W illia m E llw a n d b r o u g h t a n a c t io n fo r a to ta l lo ss, o n
w h ic h th e c o m p a n y p ro p o se d t o p a y 601. p e r c e n t ; E llw a n d t o m a k e w h a t h e
c o u ld o f h is g o o d s , b y s a lv a g e or c o m p e n s a tio n .
E llw a n d a g re e d , o n h a v in g h is
c o s ts .
T h e 2001., an d c o s ts , w e r e p a id — E llw a n d d eliv e re d u p th e p o lic y , o n w h ic h
a m em ora n d u m w a s en d o rse d b y the d efen d a n t, “ S ettle d — 601. p e r c e n t, b y c o m ­
p ro m is e , in fu ll o f a ll c l a i m a n d th e c o m p a n y g a v e u p the g o o d s , a n d r e n o u n c e d
a ll r ig h t t o s a lv a g e o r co m p e n s a tio n . T h e B r a z ilia n g o v e r n m e n t a fte rw a rd s m a d e
c o m p e n s a tio n , w h ic h th e y p aid to the B ritish c h a r g e -a ’a fla ire s, a n d h e tra n sfe rre d
t o th e c o m p a n y , w h o s e n t o u t p o w e rs to c la im fro m th e c o m m is s io n e rs a p o rtio n o f
th e in d em n ity .
W illia m E llw a n d d ied , le a v in g the p la in tiff h is e x e c u t o r , w h o filed
t h e b ill, in s is tin g th a t the c o m p a n y w e r e tru stees fo r h i m ; c h a r g in g th a t the
d e fe n d a n t w a s a m em b er, a n d that b y th eir a c t all a c t io n s an d su its w e r e t o be
in stitu ted a g a in s t th e s e c r e ta r y , o r a g a in s t a n y o n e m e m b e r, a s th e n o m in a l
d e fe n d a n t o n b e h a lf o f the c o m p a n y , an d c o n t a in in g v a r io u s in te r ro g a to r ie s fo r
d is co v e r y .
T h e p ra y e r w a s fo r a d e cla ra tio n that the p la in tiff w a s e n titled t o the
w h o le o f th e m o n e y s r e c e iv e d fr o m th e B ra z ilia n g o v e rn m e n t.
T h e d efen d a n t, in h is first a n s w e r , o f F e b r u a r y , 1 8 4 3 , said h e w a s , b u t is n o t
n o w , o n e o f th e m e m b e rs— in h is s e c o n d a n s w e r , o f N o v e m b e r la st, h e said h e
w a s n o t a m e m b e r, b u t w a s o n e a t th e tim e o f filin g th e o r ig in a l b i l l ; a n d , in h is
la s t a n s w e r , sa id h e c o n s t a n tly re sid e d in L o n d o n , n e v e r h a d a n y sh a re in th e d i­
r e c t io n , w h ic h w a s c a r rie d o n in D u b lin e n tir e ly b y th e d ire c to rs th e re , w h o ha d
t h e e x c lu s iv e c u s t o d y o f th e b o o k s , a n d th a t h e w a s th e L o n d o n a g e n t.
L o r d L a n g d a le sa id the s in g le q u e s tio n w a s , w h e th e r the a n s w e r w a s su fficie n t.
T h e p laintiff, b e in g re sid e n t h e r e , did n ot g o to Ire la n d , w h e re h e m ig h t su e the
s e c r e ta r y , b u t su e d th e d efen d a n t h ere in E n g la n d , an d w a n te d a d is c o v e r y o f
p a p e rs .
T h e d efen d a n t sa id , “ 1 a m n o t a m e m b e r— I w a s o n e , b u t a m n o t n o w ,
a n d 1 h a v e n o r ig h t t o g e t a t the d o c u m e n ts .”
T h e o n ly a n s w e r h e had h ea rd to
th is, w a s , “ Y o u m u st be a b le to g e t th em s o m e h o w o r o t h e r a n d th e a r g u m e n t
w a s , “ Y o u w e r e a m e m b e r w h e n th e b ill w a s filed , a n d c a n n o t g e t rid o f y o u r
lia b ility a s s u c h , b y a n y su b se q u e n t a c t .” T h e d e fe n d a n t ha d d iv e s te d h im s e lf, h e
w o u ld n o t s a y p ro p e rly , it m ig h t b e im p rop er, o f th e p o w e r o f g iv in g th e d is c o v e r y ,
a n d w a s h e t o b e p u t in to ja il ? H a d th e d efen d a n t p u t in th e b e st a n s w e r h e w a s
a b l e ; an d, h a v in g d iv es ted h im s e lf o f th e p o w e r o f o b ta in in g ce rta in in fo rm a tio n ,
w a s h e t o b e s e n t t o p ris o n b e c a u s e h e c o u ld n o t g e t it ? N o a u th o rity had b e e n
c ite d ; n e ith e r w a s h e to sen d th e d efen d a n t to ja il b e c a u s e h is s o lic ito r c o u ld n o t
fin d p a p ers.
T h e d e fe n d a n t h a v in g b e e n a p artn er d u r in g the lia b ilitie s, had n o w
c e a s e d to b e o n e . H e m ig h t b e lia b le p e rs o n a lly , b u t ha d n o r ig h t to w a lk in to
th e c o m p a n y ’ s o ffice , a n d s a y , “ G iv e m e th e in fo rm a tio n .”
T h e a c c o u n t h e had
g iv e n o u g h t t o e x e m p t h im — th e e x c e p t io n s m u s t b e a llo w e d , a n d th e d e p o s it
r etu rn ed .
SALVAGE— THE GLASGOW PACKET.

I n the B ritish C o u r t o f A d m ir a lty , J u n e 3 , 1 8 4 4 .
D r . L u s h in g to n g a v e s e n ­
t e n c e in th is c a s e .
T h e v e s s e l p ro c e e d e d a g a in st, b o u n d fr o m G l a s g o w t o L o n ­
d o n , h a d b e e n ru n in to b y a n o th e r v e s s e l, w h ils t at G r a v e s e n d -r e a c h ; u p o n w h ic h
h e r ru d d er w a s slip p ed , an d sh e w a s t o w e d b y th e T a m O ’ S h a n te r to th e E s s e x
s h o re , in the p e rfo rm a n ce o f w h ic h s e r v ic e th ree m e n fr o m th e S p r in g a s s is te d ,
a n d s om e p arts o f th e c a r g o w e r e p u t o n b o a rd th e G r e y M a r e M e g . T h e s e r v ic e s




Mercantile Law Cases.

4 65

o f th e sa lv ors c o m m e n c e d , a c c o r d in g t o th eir o w n a c c o u n t, w h ile th e v e s s e l w a s
in th is c o n d itio n at a n ch o r , a n d lik e ly to sin k . T h e le a rn e d J u d g e d ire c te d h is
a tte n tio n to the fo llo w in g p oin ts :— first, w h e n th e s e r v ic e d id c o m m e n c e ; s e c o n d ,
o f w h a t k in d it w a s , an d th e d e g r e e o f m e rit to b e attribu ted t o i t ; th ird , w h e n it
e n d e d . T h e s a lv o rs a lle g e d th a t it c o m m e n c e d a b ou t e le v e n o ’ c l o c k o n th e 3 0 th
o f N o v e m b e r, b y th e m a te h a ilin g th e m to sa v e w h a t th e y c o u ld : th is a v e rm e n t
w a s n o t s p e c ific a lly d en ied , a n d w a s su p p orted b y affida vits. T h e H o p e a n d th e
C o n fid e n c e a fte rw a rd s c a m e u p , an d th e m a te g a v e c h a r g e o f th e v e s s e l t o t w o
o f the sa lv ors ; a n d a s the C o u r t m u st ta k e th e m e a n in g o f th e w r itte n d o c u m e n t
fr o m its co n te n ts , n o t fro m a n y p a ro l e x p la n a tio n , th e e ff e c t o f th is c h a r g e w a s ,
th a t th e c a r e o f th e v e s s e l w a s g iv e n t o the p e rs o n s n a m e d , an d th at it c o n v e y e d
a n a u th o rity t o d o a ll th e y t h o u g h t fit fo r th e p re s e rv a tio n o f th e p ro p e rty . H e
w a s th e re fo re o f th e o p in io n that th o s e s a lv o rs w e r e en title d t o b e p a id a r e a s o n ­
a b le co m p e n s a tio n fo r th eir e x e r tio n s , fr o m a b o u t n o o n , o f th e 3 0 th o f N o v e m b e r,
t ill s o m e tim e o n the 2 d o f D e c e m b e r , w h e n th e p e rs o n s a r r iv e d fr o m L o n d o n .
T h e ten d er o f 91. 12s. h e t h o u g h t in a d eq u a te fo r th e s e s e r v i c e s ; b u t b e fo re h e
a d ju d ica te d , h e m u st lo o k to s u b s e q u e n t o c c u r r e n c e s .
T h e n e x t q u e s tio n w a s ,
w h e th e r t h e s e m e n w e r e le g a lly d is ch a r g e d fro m fu rth e r in te r fe r e n c e w it h th e
v e s s e l, a n d w h e n .
In ord in a ry c a s e s , w h e n th e s e r v ic e s o f th e first se t o f sa lv o rs
h a d b e e n a c c e p t e d , a n d th e y w e r e c o m p e te n t to p e rfo rm th e w h o le s e r v ic e , t h e y
c o u ld n o t b e d isp o s se sse d b y s u b s e q u e n t s a l v o r s ; b u t h e r e the v e s s e l w a s a c t u a lly
su n k , an d th e o r ig in a l sa lv ors c o u ld n o t h a v e ra ised h er, a n d b e sid e s, th e o w n e r s
w e r e o n th e sp ot. N o r h a d p o s s e s s io n b e e n a c q u ire d b y s u c c e s s fu l s e r v ic e s , a n d
th e re w a s n o n e c e s s it y fo r k e e p in g th e sh ip a s a s e c u r i t y ; th e o w n e r s w e r e k n o w n ,
a n d th e sh ip c o u ld n o t h a v e e s c a p e d the p r o c e s s o f th e c o u r t.
I f, th e n , th e y w e r e
d is ch a r g e d de f a c t o b y th e o w n e r s o r th e ir a g e n ts , th e re w a s n o ju stifia b le
p r e t e n c e fo r a n y attem p t t o c o n t in u e th e ir s e r v ic e s , a n d th e y c o u ld n o t c la im
p a y m e n t fo r w h a t w a s d u e a g a in s t th e w ill o f th e o w n e r s .
A s t o th e fa c t o f th e ir
h a v in g b e e n d is ch a r g e d o n th e 2 d o f D e c e m b e r , w h e n th e p e rs o n s a rrive d w h o
w e r e h ired to w e ig h th e sh ip , th ere c a n b e n o d ou bt. H e c o n s id e r e d th e s u b se ­
q u e n t c o n d u c t o f th e s a lv o rs a fter th eir d is c h a r g e a s e x c e e d in g ly r e p re h e n s ib le ,
a n d h e sh ou ld n o t a llo w a n y c o m p e n s a tio n t o th e m fo r s e r v ic e s , i f th e y w e r e
s e r v ic e s , im p r o p e rly in tru d ed . H e p ro n o u n ce d a g a in s t th e te n d e r, a n d g a v e 401.
fo r the s e r v ic e s p erfo rm e d b e t w e e n th e 3 0 th o f N o v e m b e r an d th e 2 d o f D e c e m b e r ,
a n d h e lim ite d th e c o s t o f sa lv ors t o 201. n om in e exp e n s a r u m .
H e c o u ld n o t c o n ­
c lu d e d w ith o u t a d v e rtin g t o th e affida vits m a d e b y a p e rs o n o f th e n a m e o f N e a le .
I n th e first, h e stated th a t “ u n le s s th e re h a d b e e n a g r e a t n u m b e r o f m e n e m ­
p lo y e d in ad d ition to to th o s e p ro v id e d b y the said B e n ja m in J o n e s a n d a p art o f
t h e s c h o o n e r ’ s c r e w w h o w e r e a ls o th e re , th e s c h o o n e r c o u ld n o t p o s s ib ly h a v e
b e e n ra ised , .an d th a t th e re w a s , w it h th e sa id J a m e s G r o v e s a n d the m e n w h o
a c t e d w it h h im , s c a r c e ly s tre n g th e n o u g h fo r th a t p u r p o s e .”
I n the s e c o n d affi­
d a v it, h e s w o r e , “ th at th e b a rg e s , lig h te rs , an d ap p a ra tu s w it h th e d e p o n e n t a n d
th e o th e r m e n e m p lo y e d b y th e said B e n ja m in J o n e s , c o u p le d w it h th e a s s is ta n c e
o f th e s c h o o n e r ’ s c r e w , w e r e a m p ly s u ffic ie n t fo r r a is in g th e s c h o o n e r ” — in its
v e r y term s c o n t r a d ic t in g w h a t h e h a d o r ig in a lly s w o r n .
H e (t h e le a r n e d J u d g e )
s h o u ld c o n s id e r th e p ro p r ie ty o f s u b m ittin g th e s e affid a vits to th e L o r d s C o m ­
m is s io n e r s o f th e A d m ir a lt y , a n d w h e th e r th e ir lord sh ip s m ig h t n o t th in k it r ig h t
a n d p ro p e r t o g iv e d ire c tio n s t o th e ir s o lic it o r t o p r o s e c u te th is p e rs o n , a n d a ll
oth e rs w h o sh o u ld s o attem p t t o p e rv e rt th e c o u r s e o f ju s t ic e .
SALVAGE— THE JOHN GOODALL.

I n th e B ritis h C o u r t o f A d m ir a lt y , J u ly 12 , 1 8 4 4 . T h e v e s s e l in th is c a s e w a s
su ed b y n o le s s th a n th r e e se ts o f sa lv o r s , e a c h b r in g in g a s e p a ra te a c tio n , a n d
a p p e a r in g b y t w o c o u n s e l.
T h e sh ort fa c t s o f th e c a s e w e r e th e s e :— T h e
v e s s e l o f 3 9 9 to n s b u rd e n , h a d le ft L o n d o n , b o u n d o n a v o y a g e t o the C a p e a n d
C a lc u tta , w it h a v a lu a b le c a r g o , in t o w o f a ste a m -tu g , th e G r a y M a r e M e g , o n
t h e 2 4 th o f A p r il la st.
S h e h a d a rriv e d o f f G r a v e s e n d , a n d a n ch o r e d c lo s e t o th e
K e n t is h sh ore, w h e r e , in the n ig h t, sh e w a s d is c o v e r e d to b e o n fire in th e h o ld ,
s u p p o s e d t o b e th e e ffe c t o f s p o n ta n e o u s c o m b u s t io n .
A s ig n a l o f d istre ss w a s
v o l . x i i .— n o .




v.

29

Mercantile Law Cases.

466

h o is te d , th ere w a s p re s e n tly n o la c k o f a s s is ta n c e — 21 sk iffs, w it h 6 7 G ra v e se n d m e n
o n boa rd , in c lu d in g t w o p ilots a n d t w o stea m v e s s e ls , the G r a y M a r e M e g a n d the
L io n , o ffered th eir s e r v ice s , an d the p e o p le o n b oa rd the J o h n G o o d a ll w e r e lite ra lly
“ e n c u m b e r e d w it h h e lp .”
T h e v e s s e l w a s c o n v e y e d fro m the K e n t t o th e E s s e x
s h o re , an d s cu ttle d s o a s to e x tin g u is h the fl a m e s ; p art o f th e p ro p e rty , e s p e c ia lly
th e ch ro n o m e te r s , w a s c a r rie d o n s h o re , an d sh e w a s fin a lly c o n v e y e d to w a rd s
L o n d o n , th e c o n s ta n t p u m p in g b e in g in s u fficie n t to o k e e p h e r fr e e .
T h e p re s e n t
v a lu e o f th e p ro p e rty , a fter the d a m a g e su sta in ed b y fire a n d w a te r , w a s 13,3821.
T h e o w n e r s h a d ten d ered 1201. t o th e s tea m er G r a y M a r e M e g , an d 1001. t o th e
L io n , b u t m a d e n o ten d er t o the p ilots o r th e G ra v e s e n d m e n , c o n s id e r iu g th e ir
s e r v ic e s to h a v e b e e n u n n e c e s s a r y a n d in tru siv e . T h e p a rtie s w e r e re p re se n te d
r e s p e c t iv e ly b y th e Q u e e n ’ s a d v o ca te , D r . P h illim o r e , D r . A d d a m s , D r H a g g a r d ,
D r . H a rd in g , D r . B a y fo r d , D r . R . P h illim o r e , an d D r . H . N ic h o ll.
D r . L u s h in g to n , a fte r in v e s t ig a t in g a n d d is cr im in a tin g w it h g r e a t c a r e the
fa c t s a n d n a tu re o f th e s e r v ic e s re n d e re d b y th e r e s p e c t iv e cla im a n ts , c a m e t o
th e c o n c lu s io n th a t th e s e r v ic e s re n d e re d b y th e G r a v e s e n d m e n h a d b e e n
p ro m p tly a n d e fficie n tly re n d e re d , t h o u g h th e y w e r e n o t o f a n a tu re t o b e h ig h ly
r e w a rd e d , a n d h e a llotted t o th em 2501., o u t o f w h ic h tw o , n a m e d B r ig g s an d
D ic k s , w e r e t o b e p a id 51. e a c h , in a d d itio n t o th eir s h a r e ; t o th e G r a y M a r e
M e g h e g a v e 1501., in s te a d o f 1201., th e su m t e n d e r e d ; an d w it h r e s p e c t to th e
L io n , w h ic h h a d d o n e n o m o r e th a n t u g th e d isa b led v e s s e l, w it h th e a s s is ta n c e
o f th e o th e r s tea m er, u p t o L o n d o n , h e p r o n o u n c e d in fa v o r o f th e te n d e r, t h o u g h
w it h o u t (u n d e r th e c ir c u m s t a n c e s ) c o n d e m n in g th e o w n e r s o f th a t v e s s e l in th e
c o s ts .
T h e le a r n e d J u d g e c o m m e n te d se v e r e ly u p on th e u n n e c e s s a r y p r o c e e d ­
in g , o n th e p art o f the s a lv o rs, in th ree s ep a ra te a c tio n s , a n d in tim a te d , th a t i f it
w e r e r ep ea ted , h e sh ou ld ta k e m e a s u re s t o rep ress the p r a c t ic e .
T h e Q u e e n ’ s A d v o c a t e (fo r the o w n e r s .)— -A re th e o w n e r s to p a y th e c o s ts
o f a ll th e th re e p a rtie s ? D r . L u s h in g to n .— T h e c o s ts o f o n e s e t o f s a lv o r s , t o
w h o m y o u m a d e a n in s u fficie n t t e n d e r ; b u t n o t th e c o s t s o f th e L io n .
MARINE INSURANCE.

W e s t e r n C ir c u it, B r is to l, (E n g la n d ,) b e fo re C h ie f J u s tic e P a tte s o n , an d a sp e ­
c ia l ju r y . P a rfit vs. T h o m p s o n an d oth ers.
T h is a c tio n w a s b r o u g h t to r e c o v e r
th e a m o u n t o f th e lo s s o n a p o lic y o f in s u r a n c e fo r 2,0 001 ., w h ic h ha d b e e n e f­
fe c t e d o n a v e s s e l c a lle d the “ H u tc h in s o n ,” b y th e F o rth M a r in e I n s u r a n c e C o m ­
p a n y , o f w h ic h th e d efen d a n ts w e r e m e m b e rs .
T h e sh ip w a s b u ilt in 1 8 2 5 , a n d
p u r ch a s e d b y th e p la in tiff in 1 8 3 8 , w h e n sh e w a s rep a ire d a t a n e x p e n s e o f 1,5001.
I n 1 8 4 1 , sh e w a s ch a rte re d b y L a u r ie , H a m ilto n & C o ., o n a v o y a g e to S ie r r a
L e o n e , a n d t h e n th is in s u r a n c e w a s e ffe cte d .
O n th e 10 th o f M a r c h , 1 8 4 1 , th e
v e s s e l sa iled fro m B r is to l, u n d e r th e co m m a n d o f C a p ta in W h i t e .
I n the B a y o f
B i s c a y th e w e a t h e r w a s v e r y b a d , b u t the v e s s e l a rriv e d in th e M a la c o u r i r iv e r o n
th e 1 5 th o f A p r il, w h e r e it re m a in e d till the 9th o f J u ly , w h e n sh e sa ile d fo r E n g ­
la n d . W h e n o f f the I s le s d e L o s , th e re w a s v e r y r o u g h w e a th e r ; b u t w h e n o f f
C a p e V e r d , the w in d la s s , a n ch o r , & c . , w e r e lost, a n d th e v e s s e l b e c a m e le a k y , an d
w it h s o m e d ifficu lty r e a c h e d th e G a m b ia riv e r .
A n a g e n t o f L lo y d ’ s th e n su r­
v e y e d th e v e s s e l, a n d it b e in g fo u n d n e c e s s a r y th a t v e r y co n s id e r a b le rep a irs m u s t
b e d o n e , a n d w h ic h c o u ld n o t b e c o m p le te d th ere, it w a s c o n s id e r e d b e s t t o s e ll th e
v e s s e l, w h ic h fe tch e d 4111. T h e d efen d a n ts c o n te n d e d th a t t h e y w e r e n o t lia b le
fo r a to ta l lo s s , b u t o n ly a p o r t i o n ; a n d t h e y p a id 4001. in to C o u rt, a n d a lle g e d
th a t th e q u e s tio n w a s , w h e th e r th e v e s s e l h a d su sta in ed th e d a m a g e b y th e p e rils
o f th e se a , o r t h r o u g h u n w o r th in e s s .
M r . J u s tic e P a tte s o n h a v in g su m m e d u p , th e ju r y r etu rn e d a v e r d ic t fo r th e
p la in tiff, th e a m o u n t o f d a m a g e t o b e r e g u la te d b y M r . P o w e ll, o f L o n d o n .
COLLISION— BRITISH BRIGS SUSAN AND COLONIA.

I n th e B ritis h A d m ir a lt y C o u rt, b e fo r e D r . L u s h in g to n , J a n u a ry 2 3 , 1 8 4 4 .
T h i s w a s a c r o s s a c t io n b e t w e e n th e o w n e r s o f t w o b r ig s , th e S u s a n a n d the
C o lo n ia , w h ic h , o n th e a fte r n o o n o f th e 4 th o f O c to b e r , in d a y lig h t, th e w e a th e r
b e in g fa ir, c a m e in to c o llis io n o f f F o lk e s t o n e .
T h e fa u lt o f th e c o llis io n w a s at­
trib u ted b y e a c h v e s s e l to the o th e r, a n d th is q u e s tio n d e p e n d e d u p o n th e c o n s id ­




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

467

e ra tio n o f m atters o f n a u tica l s c i e n c e ; to d eterm in e w h ic h , th e C o u r t had th e
a ss ista n ce o f T r in it y M a ste rs . A ft e r h e a rin g D r . A d d a m s a n d D r . R . P h illim o r e
fo r the S u sa n , a n d th e Q u e e n ’ s A d v o c a t e a n d D r . B a y fo r d fo r th e C o lo n ia , the
T r in it y M a ste rs d e liv e re d it a s th eir o p in io n th at th e c o llis io n w a s e n tir e ly in
c o n s e q u e n c e o f th e C o lo n ia s ta rb o a rd in g h e r h e lm w h e n sh e o u g h t t o h a v e p u t
it to p ort, a n d th a t th ere w a s n o r e a so n , w h a te v e r , t o im p u te a n y b la m e t o the
S u s a n . D r . L u s h in g to n p ro n o u n ce d fo r th e c la im o f the S u s a n , a n d d ism iss e d
th e o w n e r s o f th at v e s s e l from the oth e r a c tio n , w it h co s ts .

MONTHLY COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE.
THE MARKETS— PRICES OF UNITED STATES PRODUCE IN THE NEW YORK MARKET, AT DIFFERENT
PERIODS— PRICES OF IMPORTED GOODS IN NEW YORK— EXPORTS OF BRITISH MANUFACTURES
FROM GREAT BRITAIN, FROM 1841 TO 1844— IMPORTS OF LEADING ITEMS OF FOREIGN PRODUCE
INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM— GROSS REVENUE ON MERCHANDISE— POPULATION AND REVENUE OF
THE GERMAN ZOLL-VEREIN— TRAFFIC OF GERMAN RAILWAYS, FOR 1844— CONSUMPTION OF
SUGAR IN THE ZOLL-VEREIN, IN 1844.

T he markets have, during the past month, presented an anomalous appearance. At
the close of our article for April, we briefly alluded to the new reductions of duties upon
articles of foreign growth consumed in England, leading to an increased demand for
United States produce. The influence of those advices, as a general cause, added to
some collateral reasons, produced considerable animation and rise in many important ar­
ticles. The result of this rise has been naturally an increase in the demand for money,
inasmuch as that the same quantity of produce requires now for its purchase a larger sunt
of money than was the case some months since. The progress of prices in New York
is expressed in the following table:—
P ric es

of

U n it e d S t a t e s P ro duce

Ashes,..................
Beeswax, N. Y .,... ..100 lbs.
Candles, tallow, m
u
sperm,....
Coal, anth.,...........
Cordage, Am .,......
Cotton, N. O. fair,
Cot. bagging, Ky., .100 yds.
Sheetings, B. 4-4,.
Dry cod,................
Mackerel, No. 1,... .......bbl.
Flax, Am.............. ..100 lbs.
Flour, Western,.... ....... bbl.
“ Bye,............
Wheat,..................
Rye,.......................
Corn,.......................
Hemp, dew rotted,.
Hops,...................... ..100 lbs.
Iron, Am. pig,.......
“ rolled,...........
Lead, pig,.............. .100 lbs.
Molasses, N. 0 .,... 100 gals.
Tar,........................
Turpentine, JN. C., soft,......
Lead, W . Am.,...... .100 lbs.
Oil, whale,.............. .100 gal.
Beef, mess,............
Pork,......................




in t h e

N

ew

Y

ork

1843.

1844.

Oct. 14.
$ 4 50
29 00
11 50
33 00
5 50
12 00
8 75
16 00
5 50
2 37
10 00
8 50
4 50
3 12
95
65
52
5 75
10 00
27 50
70 00
3 45
27 00
1 75
2 50
8 00
38 50
6 75
11 00

Feb. 14.
$ 4 75
30 00
12 00
33 00
5 50
12 00
10 75
16 00
9 00
2 75
10 87
8 50
4 94
3 62
1 05
70
48
5 50
9 00
28 50
70 00
3 55
32 00
1 50
2 62
8 00
40 00
0 25
9 62

M

a r k e t , a t d if f e r e n t p e r io d s .

April 20.
$ 4 50
29 75
12 00
32 00
5 50
12 00
8 87
16 00
9 00
3 00
10 87
8 50
5 06
3 25
1 12
71
54
5 75
8 00
28 50
77 50
3 30
30 00
1 62
2 75
8 00
35 00
6 50
9 25

June 8.
$ 4 25
29 50
12 00
32 00
5 25
12 00
8 25
17 00
9 00
3 00
10 25
8 50
4 56
3 12
98
67
47
4 50
8 00
30 00
80 00
3 45
31 00
1 56
2 62
8 00
34 00
5 50
8 62

Sept. 7.
$ 4 25
30 00
12 00
32 00
5 50
12 00
7 50
17 00
9 00
2 50
10 75
8 50
4 25
3 12
92
67
46
5 00
8 00
30 00
80 00
3 47
32 00
1 69
2 37
7 00
38 00
5 75
9 50

Monthly Commercial Chronicle,

468
P ric es

U n it e d S t a t e s P ro duce ,

of

Lard, Ohio,..............100 lbs.
Butter, Wes. dairy,................
Cheese,..................................
R ic e ,....................................
Clover,...................................
Whiskey,............... 100 galls.
Steel, Am.,............... 100 lbs.
Sugar, N. O.,.........................
Tallow,.................................
Tobacco, Ky.,........................
Whalebone,..........................
Wool, Merino,.....................
Total, 41 articles,.........
P r ic e s

of

1843.
Oct. 14.
$ 8 00
14 00
5 50
3 00
8 50
25 00
5 00
6 87
7 50
6 50
48 00
32 00
$538 43

1844.
Peb. 14.
$ 7 25
16 00
5 50
2 87
11 00
24 00
5 00
7 25
7 25
6 50
50 00
42 00
$567 07

U n it e d S t a t e s P r o d u ce ,

1844.
Ashes,...................................hbl.
Beeswax, N. Y .,...........100 lbs.
Candles, tallow, m.,.................
“
sperm.........................
Coal, anth.,..........................ton
Cordage, Am.,............. 100 lbs.
Cotton, N. O. fair,...................
Cotton bagging, Ky.,.100 yards
Sheetings, B. 4-4,....................
Dry cod,.............................cwt.
Mackerel, No. 1,.................bbl.
Flax, Am.,.................. 100 lbs.
Flour, Western,................. bbl.
“
Rye,..............................
Wheat,..............................bush.
Rye,...........................................
Corn,..........................................
Hemp, dew rotted,............cwt.
Hops,........................... 100 lba.
Iron, Am. pig,.....................ton
“ rolled,..............................
Lead, pig,....................100 lbs.
Molasses, N. O.,...... 100 galls.
Tar.......................................bbl.
Turpentine, N. C., soft,...........
Lead, W . Am.,........... 100 lbs.
Oil, whale,............... 100 galls.
Beef, mess,..........................bbl.
Pork...........................................
Lard, Ohio,................. .100 lbs.
Butter, Western dairy',.............
Cheese,.....................................
Rice...........................................
Clover,.......................................
Whiskey.................100 gallons
Steel, Am.,.................. 100 lbs.
Sugar, N. O.,...........................
Tallow,......................................
Tobacco, Ky.,............................
Whalebone,..............................
W ool, Merino,..........................

Continued.

e t c .—

April 20.
$7 50
18 00
7 00
3 25
8 59
23 25
5 00
7 37
7 00
6 50
35 00
42 00
$549 21
e t c .—

June 8.
$ 6 25
15 00
5 50
3 25
8 00
23 50
5 00
7 25
7 00
6 00
30 75
40 00

Sept. 7.
$ 6 50
11 00
5 50
3 62
8 75
25 00
5 00
7 00
7 25
6 00
48 00/
43 00

$545 50

$558 82

Continued.

1845.

Nov.16. Jan. 4.
84 00 $3 75
29 50
29 50
12 00
12 00
31 00
30 00
6 00
6 00
12 00
12 00
7 00
6 37
17 00
17 00
8 00
8 00
2 62
2 50
11 75
12 50
8 50
8 50
4 69
4 68
3 50
3 37
1 00
1 05
70
68
50
50
4 50
4 37
12 75
15 00
31 00
31 00
80 00
80 00
4 12
4 00
30 00
22 00
1 94
1 75
o 50
2 37
7 00
7 00
35 00
33 00
6 50 ' 7 00
9 00
9 50
6 25
6 50
00
14
14 00
6 50
5 75
3 62
3 25
7 50
8 00
28 00
25 50
5 00
5 00
6 75
5 00
7 37
7 25
6 50
5 50
41 00
40 00
42 00
38 00

Febi.5.
$ 4 00
29 50
12 00
29 00
6 00
12 00
6 25
15 00
8 00
2 50
12 50
8 50
4 87
3 62
1 00
68
45
4 75
15 00
32 50
80 00
3 87
23 00
1 75
2 62
7 00
31 50
7 25
10 00
7 00
15 00
7 00
3 31
7 37
23 00
5 00
5 50
7 25
5 50
35 00
38 00

Mar. 5. Mar. 29. Ap’l1 5.
$ 4 00 $ 4 00 $4 00
30 00
30 00
30 00
11 00
11 00
11 00
28 00
29 00
29 00
6 00
6 00
6 00
12 00
12 00
12 00
7 00
7 37
7 37
15 00
15 00
15 00
6 50
7 50
7 50
2 75
2 75
2 75
12 00
11 75
11 75
8 00
8 00
7 00
87
81
4
4
4 75
3 25
3 25
3 12
1 00
1 05
1 05
67
71
70
47
48
49
4 70
4 75
4 75
15 00
14 00
14 00
34 00
34 00
37 00
87 50
95 00
95 00
3 50
4 00
4 00
27 00
35 00
36 00
1 56
1 56
1 56
2 81
2 62
2 75
7 50
8 50
7 50
30 25
32 00
32 00
7 50
8 75
9 25
10 25
14 00
13 75
7 00
8 00
8 25
16 00
15 00
15 00
00
8
8 00
8 00
3 50
3 62
3 62
7 25
7 00
7 00
24 50
23 00
24 50
5 00
5 00
5 00
6 25
7 50
7 50
7 00
7 00
7 00
5 50
5 50
5 50
35 00
35 00
35 00
38 00
38 00
38 00

Total,41 articles,...........$557 30 $540 10 $533 59 $514 70 $572 26 $575 41




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

4 69

The aggregate, down to April 5th, shows an advance of $41 82, or nearly 9 per cent,
from February 5th, a period of sixty days. The improvement did not, however, pervade
every article, but evinced itself in some of leading importance; such as ashes, cotton,
iron, molasses, sugar, lard, pork, beef, and cheese. The rise in the value of these articles
required an additional sum, equal to $30,000,000, to represent the same quantities. The
effect of this upon the money market has been to advance and steady the rate of interest,
which has ruled 6 to GJ per cent, very nearly, since the 1st of February. During the
corresponding period of last year, the rate of interest, which had advanced to 7£ per
cent in February, under the large speculations in cotton, suddenly fell off, in the months
of March and April, to 3 a 3J per cent, and promoted a considerable rise in stocks, as
well as of imported goods. The prices of both, however, declined subsequently. Thi3
year, the speculation seems rather to run in the articles of agricultural produce, and there­
by holds out the promise of greater permanence in the evidently increasing general pros­
perity. The change which has been undergone in the prices of imported goods, at periods
corresponding with those included in the above table, is as follows:—
P r ic e s

of

I m p o r t e d G oods

in

1844.
Feb. 14.
$27 00
1 10
8 87
9 50
7 50
22 00
3 50
35 00
4 75
17 00
26 00
11 00
2 12
9 55
12 75
1 00
34 00
57 50
50 00
90
2 25
30 00
27 00
10 75
2 65
7 25
90

Total, 27 articles,.........

$387 40

$411 84

o
o
r—1

Barilla,....................
Bristles, St. Peter,.. ........ lb.
Coal, Liverpool,....
Cocoa, Guayaquil,. 100 lbs.
Coffee, Cuba,...........
Copper, sheathing,..
Opium, Turkey,...... ........ lb.
Balsam Copaiva,.... 100 lbs.
Saleratus,................
Duck, Russian,.......
Fustic, Cuba,..........
Flax, Russian,....... 100 lbs.
Raisins, bunch,.......
Hemp, Russ., clean . . .cwt.
Hides,...................... .100 lbs.
Indigo, Madias,.... ........ lb.
Iron, Eng. pig,.......
“ common bar,..
Mahogany, St. Dom
Oil, Eng. linseed,...
Plaster Paris,........
Salt, Turk’s Isl.,. . 100 bush.
Cloves,.................... 100 lbs.
Pepper,...................
Brandy, Otard,........ ......gallSugar, Cuba m.,...... .100 lbs.
Teas, Hyson,......... ........ lb.

1843.
Oct. 14.
$27 00
1 10
10 00
9 50
8 00
22 00
2 50
23 00
5 00
17 50
26 00
11 00
1 75
9 55
13 50
1 00
26 00
57 50
40 00
85
2 00
26 00
27 00
8 75
2 50
7 50
90

P r ic e s

of

I m ported G

oods in

N

1844.
1845.
Nov. 1G. Jan. 4.
Barilla,.............................. ton $30 00 $32 00
Bristles, St Peter,............... lb.
1 10
1 10
Coal, Liverpool,............ chald. 10 25
10 50
Cocoa, Guayaquil,. . 100 lbs.
9 00
9 00
Coffee, Cuba,.................
7
00
7 00
Copper, sheathing,.........
21
50
21 50
Opium, Turkey,................ lb.
3 40
3 50
Balsam Copaiva,......... 100 lbs. 25 00
25 00




ew

N

Y

ew

Y

ore.

April 20.
$28 00
1 10
8 25
9 50
7 50
22 00
3 50
24 00
4 50
17 00
26 00
11 00
2 25
9 55
13 50
90
32 50
57 50
55 00
85
2 50
31 00
26 00
10 75
2 81
7 50
80

June 5.
$27 00
1 10
8 25
9 50
7 50
21 50
3 25
25 00
4 50
17 00
26 00
11 00
2 25
9 55
13 25
90
35 00
65 00
55 00
75
2 50
34 00
26 00
11 00
2 81
7 00
90

$405 76

$420 51

ork—

Feb. 1.
$32 00
1 10
10 50
9 00
7 00
21 50
3 50
25 00

Sept.
$30
1
9
9
7
21
3
25
4
17
28
11
2
9
12
34
65
80
2
26
26
10
2
6
1

7.
00
10
50
00
50
00
25
00
00
00
00
00
37
00
50
87
00
00
00
75
25
50
00
75
65
75
00

$446 74

C on tin u e d .

Mar. 5.
$33 00
1 10
10 00
9 00
7 00
21 50
3 75
24 00

Mar. 29. April 5.
$32 00 $32 00
1 10
1 10
10 25
10 25
9 00
9 00
7 00
7 25
21 50
21 50
5 00
5 00
24 00
24 00

Monthly Commercial Chronicle .

470
P r ic e s

of

I m p o r t e d G oods

Saleratus,................
Duck, Russian,.......
Fustic, Cuba,.........
Flax, Russian,....... TOO lbs.
Raisins, bunch,,......
Hemp, Russ, clean,
Hides,...................... .100 lbs.
Indigo, Madras,.... ........ lb.
Iron, Eng. pig,.......
“ common bar,..
Mahogany, S t Dom ,.100 ft
Oil, Eng. linseed,... . .gallon
Plaster Paris,...........
Salt, Turk’s Isl.,. .100 bush.
Cloves,.................... 100 lbs.
Pepper,...................
Brandy, Otard,....... ....... galSugar, Cuba m.,...... ,100 lbs.
Teas, Hyson,......... ........ lb.

1844.
Nov 16.
$ 4 00
17 00
28 00
11 00
2 62
S 75
12 25
90
31 00
65 00
92 00
74
2 62
26 00
26 00
10 25
2 60
6 75
85

in

N

1 8 4 5.
Jan.4.
$4 00
17 00
28 00
11 00
2 75
9 25
12 25
90
31 00
65 00
75 00
73
2 62
24 00
26 00
10 00
2 75
6 50
85

ew

Y

ork

Feb. 1.
$4 00
17 00
28 00
11 00
2 70
9 50
12 00
90
32 50
65 00
75 00
73
2 62
24 00
25 50
10 00
2 60
5 50
85

— Continued.
Mar 5.
$4 00
17 00
28 00
11 00
2 65
9 75
11 75
90
37 50
70 00
75 00
75
2 62
24 00
25 50
10 50
2 60
6 00
85

Mar
$4
17
28
11
2
10
12
45
80
75
2
27
25
10
2
6

23.
00
00
00
00
60
50
00
87
00
00
00
75
62
00
50
75
60
00
85

April 5.
$4 25
17 00
28 00
11 00
2 55
10 25
12 00
87
47 50
85 00
75 00
75
2 62
27 00
25 50
10 75
2 50
6 00
85

Total, 27 articles.......... $455 53 $439 20 $439 00 $449 76 $471 89 $479 49
The advance in this class of articles is less general, during the past spring, than in that
of domestic produce ; and less so this, than during the same period of the last year. The
animation in business, last year, evinced itself more in those articles which the agricultu­
rists purchase, than in those which they sell. This naturally produced a slight revulsion,
inasmuch as that it involved the inability of the consumers, to some extent, to pay ; and
several extensive failures took place during the spring season, arising from this inability
to collect debts. The movement this spring has been in those articles which farmers
have to sell; and the advancing money prices are indicative that the trade will react upon
the Atlantic cities, in enhanced purchases of goods. The immediate incentive to this
disposition to speculate, was the diminution in the Cuba crop of sugar, accompanied by
such a modification of the British tariff as was estimated to enhance the consumption
some 50,000 tons in the British islands. The supply of pork was also alleged to be
greatly deficient, owing to a scarcity of corn in the western states. This advanced the
price of that, and kindred articles, to a very considerable extent. The rise in sugar has
fortunately been accompanied with a very large crop in Louisiana— consequently, the
planters reap the advantage o f a high value on an extensive production. In iron, a very
considerable advance has taken place, based mostly on the great demand for iron for rail­
roads, and other purposes, in England; the markets here sympathizing with the move­
ment It is remarkable that the progress of business, both here and in England, as -well
as on the continent, has been predicated upon the increased consumption of food and
goods evincing a greatly improved condition of the people, in a better reward for their
labor. This is generally indicated in the enhancement of all indirect taxes, both in the
United States, France, Belgium, the Zoll-verein, and Great Britain. Of these, the cus­
toms duties are the most important. In the case of Great Britain, the amount of revenue
has been considerably enhanced, notwithstanding that the rate of some of the duties was
diminished. Perhaps, however, the exports of Great Britain afford the best indication,
not only of the improvement of the markets to which her goods are sent for sale, but also
of the enhanced employment her operatives have enjoyed, and the extent to which raw
materials have been consumed. The following is a table of the declared value of lead­
ing heads of British exports, for four years:—




471

Monthly Commercial Chronicle,
D

eclared

V alue

of

E

x to r ts of

B r it i s h M

an ufactures from

G r e a t B r it a in .

Coal and culm,.................
Cotton goods,...................
Cotton yarn,.....................
Earthenware,...................
Glassware,.......................
Manufactures of iron,....
“
44
flax,....
Yam of flax,.....................
Iron,.................................
Copper and brass,............
Lead,................................
Tin in bars,.....................
Tin plate,.........................
Salt,..................................
Silk goods,.......................
Refined sugar,.................
Sheep’s wool,...................
Yam of wool,..................
Manufactures of wool,....

1841.
£671,929
16,209,241
7,262,510
590,772
421,271
1,625,191
3,356,030
900,840
2,867,950
1,529,488
238,461
86,708
368,047
175,663
786,066
547,834
557,676
489,344
5,787,544

1 8 4 2.
£733,574
13,910,084
7,752,676
554,221
310,061
1,392,888
2,360,152
1,023,978
2,453,892
1,821,754
357,377
190,911
348,236
206,639
589,644
439,335
510,965
503.521
5,190,243

1843.
£685,331
16,248,759
7,191,879
629,585
336,910
1,744,037
2,816,111
873,164
2,574,494
1,652,991
258,669
109,943
480,407
208,207
664,661
415,812
417,835
697,354
6,784,432

1844.
£665,584
18,823,402
7,008,184
751,279
388,608
2,167,673
3,055,243
1,021,796
3,194,904
1,735,528
276,296
76,655
483,609
226,940
735,094
331,264
532,478
944,515
8,296,216

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

£44,545,595

£40,738,151

£44,790,563

£50,615,265

The increase is here no less than £5,900,000, or more than 12 per cent. The most
important increase has been in cotton and woollen goods, and hardware. The aggregate
advance in exports, from 1842, was no less than 25 per cent, notwithstanding that the
prices of the articles have declined. This fact is of itself sufficient to account for the
continued accumulation of coin in the vaults of the bank, during the last two years. So
large an increase of the exports of the products of British industry has, to some extent,
involved an enhancement of the import of raw materials, and thus helped to swell the
revenues of the country. The official imports, however, show that the greatest increase
in the customs o f Great Britain, during the past year, has been in those articles of general
consumption imported from abroad, that come under the general head of food. The fol­
lowing table shows the quantities of the several articles imported for three years, with the
amount of gross duty collected on each, for the year 1844:—
I m port

of

L e a d in g I t e m s of F o r e ig n P ro d u ce in t o t h e U n it e d K in g d o m ,
R e v e n u e p a id i n b y e a c h A r t ic l e , in 1844.

and th e

G ro ss

1842.
1 8 4 4 . Am’t duties.
1843.
42,780
£866
Barilla,...........................
45,340
52,440
639,433
838,088
653,937
*8,305
Bark................................
180,892
186,667
Butter,...........................
148,288
180,965
Cheese,..........................
180,829
213,523
117,272
166,584
Cocoa,............................
2,251,145
2,541,691
2,590,528
11,612
Coffee,............................
28,583,931 30,031,606 31,394,225
682,218
674,861
Wheat,...........................
823,271
2,607,944
869,149
Barley,...........................
1,028,902
204,806
49,969
223,543
262,358
Oats,...............................
77,910
282,543
41,963
28,779
9,453
2,724
28,515
R ye,...............................
Peas,..............................
122,981
45,218
38,857
80,451
Beans,............................
225,680
71,181
45,702
43.279
Flour,............................
22,677
1,125,801 ctr.426,794 ctr. 712,968
Cochineal,......................
758,912
604,240
827,456
357
3,639,888
Indigo,............................
3,135,888
2,748,928
*1,804
948,640
Lac dye,.........................
838,208
776,160
*445
20,703
Fustic,...........................
16,763
*2,175
20,422
95,961
93,546
Madder,.........................
148,791
*2,523
“
root,................
97,266
84,788
102,194
*1,281
N ote.—Those duties marked thus, (*) are to be removed, v,■ith the exception of sugar,
on which the reduction is estimated at $6,000,000.




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

472
I mport

of

L eading I tems

of

F oreign P roduce into U nited K ingdom,

Eggs,....................................... No.
Flax,....................................... cwts.
Currants.........................................
Figs...............................................
Lemons,............................... .boxes
Rosin,.....................................cwts.
Gloves, leather,...................... pairs
Hemp..................................... cwts.
Hides, raw,....................................
Mahogany,...............................tons
Molasses,............................... cwts.
Copper ore............................... tons
Iron,...............................................
Tobacco, leaf,...........................lbs.
“
manufactured,..............
Turpentine,........................... cwts.
Wine, Cape,...........................galls.
“
French................................
“
other,..................................
Cotton, British,.........................lbs.
“
other................................
W ool, sheep’s,..............................
Zinc,....................................... cwts.
Oil, whale and sperm,.............tuns
“ palm,............................... cwts.
“ olive,............................... .galls.
“ cocoa,.............................. cwts.
Quicksilver................................ lbs.
Rice,...............................................
“ rough...............................cwts.
Saltpetre,.......................................
Seed, clover...................................
“ flax and lin,.................. bush.
“ rape,.....................................
Silk, raw,....................................lbs.
“ waste,....................................
“ thrown,..................................
Silks, European,..........................
“
India,..........................pieces
Skins, seal,................................No.
“
kid,.....................................
“
lamb, undressed,................
Cassia,........................................lbs.
Cinnamon......................................
Cloves............................................
M ace,............................................
Nutmegs,.......................................
Pepper............................................
Pimento,........................................
Rum,........................................galls.
Brandy,..........................................
Gin..................................................
Sugar, colonial,.......................cwts.
Tallow ,..........................................
Beasts,.......................................No.
Tea,........................................... lbs.
Staves,....................................... No.
Lumber,.................................. loads

etc.— Continued.

1842.
1843.
1844.
Ain't duties.
89,347,823 70,448,250
67,487,920
£24,606
1,148,616
1,439,574
1,595,839
7,010
196,522
254,744
285,368
252,218
22,938
32,450
33,310
26,209
335,983 ca. 286,000 ca. 348,000
71,328
186,689
237,474
202,667
*159,486
1,592,028
1,839,429
1,834,989
28,557
614,167
698,472
911,715
*3,990
537,563
537,467
631,765
*8,767
16,775
24,243
24,320
*12,781
535,191
454,437
615,510
*290,885
15,208
54,271
58,591
75,206
14,557
12,083
21,639
22,502
22,152,707 22,891,526 24,535,116
3,863,389
225,355
263,813
240,602
113,648
452,775
473,579
466,566
*2,041
371,255
332,729
349,584
50,446
382,417
347,457
492,383
141,689
4,321,735
5,607,267
6,235,150
1,798.961
70,058,016 47,194,336 65,975,952
*10,309
407,659,616 538,714,848 492,039,296
*672,614
44,611,465
48,656,829 69,493,358
*37,856
56,120
82,500
114,340
300
15,784
23,424
21,400
33,763
337,936
383,025
373,578
*9,807
2,407,860
2,552,256
2,717,316
23,493
27,399
34,129
43,502
1,539
259,260
253,241
246,959
1,080
252,412
259,201
327,842
8,843
319,864
153,216
304,952
13,997
345,926
385,675
355,014
9,321
160,424
70,643
92,012
48,332
2,873,928
3,745,272
4,874,360
*2,673
547,824
694,648
552,128
*305
3,936,714
3,649,467
4,021,276
17,593
1,433,712
1,495,424
1,775,872
832
363,975
335,113
410,536
22,050
233,872
263,774
291,008
278,074
39,988
98,497
129,814
8,461
350,955
413,216
268,865
*240
477,727
444,591
419,112
1,128
854,720
1,346,127
1,561,136
*273
121,253
142,106
114,646
1,519
17,009
17,496
18,619
258
90,653
100,036
128,384
3,370
19,010
20,371
22,689
2,978
170,064
168,461
109,719
15,591
2,679,624
2,790,069
3,097,563
81,313
453,488
401,520
341,152
800
2,097,866
2,103,989
2,198,142
1,025,858
1,083,106
1,038,941
1,023,736
1,168,316
14,596
13,899
14,948
17,069
3,876,362
4,045,105
4,139,895 *5,216,296
1,034,508
1,175,545
1,085,349
*174,602
10,697
13,306
9,840
1,292
37.391,012 40,302,981 41,366,987
4,524,613
70,698
661
314
*3,520
774,444
1,363,110
1,542,671
913,086

Total duties,............................................................................................. £24,421,235
N ote.— T hose duties marked thus, (*) are to be removed, with the exception of sugar,
on which the reduction is estimated at $6,000,000.




Monthly Commercial Chronicle ,

47 3

It is observable that the whole duty is payable by about sixteen articles, which are con­
sumed as food, in the shape, as respects manufacture, in which they are imported. Of
these, grain, sugar, coffee, tea, and tobacco, form the chief; paying near £16,000,000 out of
the £24,000,000, or two-thirds of the whole revenue. O f each and all of these articles, it
may be remarked that the import has been progressive in the last three years. The ag­
gregate of the four articles, excluding grain, imported, has increased 118,788,696 lbs., or
25 per cent; showing a very important progress in the physical condition of the people
of England. This improvement in the ability of the masses to consume imported goods,
is not confined, by any means, to the British islands; but, if we examine the official
returns of the European states, we shall find a similar progress in affairs. For this pur­
pose, we may recur to the customs revenues of the states composing the German com­
mercial league, from its formation, down to the year 1844; and also the population added
to the league at different periods, by embracing new states in the union:—
P o p u l a t io n

Years.

and

R

e v e n u e of t h e

G erman Z

Population.

1834,
...............
•|
1835,
...............
1836,.........................
•|
1837,........................
1838.........................
1839,........................
•l
1840.........................
1841,.......................
1842.........................
■|
1843,........................
1844,.........................

J

o l l - V e r e in .

Revenue.
Thalers.
14,515,722
16,580,280
18,162,874
17,697,296
20,119,288
20,569,488
21,306,191
21,955,204
23,410,563
25,365,770
26,471,591

23,478,120
25,153,629
25,193,626
25,668,878
25,758,669

or $10,886,792
or
12,435,110
or
13,622,156
or
13,272,972
or
15,089,466
or
15,427,116
or
15,979,643
or
16,466,403
or
17,557,880
or
19,024,323
or
19,853,794

This is the increase of population through the actual geographical extension of the cus­
toms union; and that increase, as compared with the revenue, gives the following pro­
portions :—
Population,...............
Revenue,..................

1834.

1844.

23,478,120
$10,886,792

25,758,669
19,853,794

Increase. Inc. per cent.
2,279,549
9J
8,967,002
82J

It will be observed that this is not the actual increase of population of those countries
since 1834, but merely the numerical increase of the Zoll-Verein, by adding new states
to the Union.- The actual population is now 27,711,000. The population of the states
which composed the Union in 1834, was 23,478,120. The population of the same states
is now 25,534,321— an increase of 2,056,201, or about 9 per cent in ten years ; the last
enumeration being for 1843. It is observable that this large and increasing population,
with their growing prosperity, is every year widening its demand for foreign produce,
mostly that of the United States.
The facility of communication from one state to another, since the consolidation of the
customs of eighteen separate states (which formerly were each encircled by custom-houses,
and all their concomitant delays,) into one, has been accompanied by other facilities to
industry, which have contributed to produce the results manifest in the above table. One
of the greatest advantages has, doubtless, been the large suni3 of money drawn from
England by the sale of corn, during the period of her short harvests. The application of
these funds to manufacturing purposes, has greatly multiplied the exchangeable products
within the German circle, and their profitable interchange has given a new impulse to the
import of foreign raw materials, and tropical produce. But, perhaps, a still greater stimu­
lant has been experienced in the progress of railroads; which, of late years, have been
constructed to the extent of near 2,000 miles, embracing every part of the German em­
pire, and bringing her distant resources within easy access of her most profitable and

\



Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

474

extensive markets. Steam-driven cars have been substituted for the slow-moving wagons,
and the proverbial industry of Germans is being turned to account by becoming available.
In order to form some estimate of the extent to which this cause is operating in amelio­
rating the condition of the people at large, we append a table of twenty-eight principal
roads; showing their length, the number of passengers transported in 1844, the quantity
o f freight, expressed in centners of IlO f pounds each, and the receipts for the year, as
follows:—
T r a f f ic o f G e r m a n R a i l w a y s , f o r 1844.
Receipts.
Freight.
Length. Passengers.
No.
Cent.
Miles.
Linz-Budweis,................
85
15,158
669,329 fl. c. 273,655— $136,822
231,800— 115,900
Linz-Munden,.................
46
133,977
884,753
1,663,686— 831,843
Ferdinand’s North Road,
210
664,730
1,940,332
906,352— 453,176
50
Vienna Gloggniz,............
1,057,636
1,184,644
62
Murzzuscht-Gratz...........
Munich-Augsburg..........
42
ft. V. 282,475 — 112,990
186,378
18,658
Nuremberg & Bamberg,..
46,648—
40
70,387
1,574
Augsburg,.......................
3,938—
26
8,314
22,162
55,402—
Nuremberg and Furth,...
4
479j416
314
Taunus Road,.................
742,332
431,270— 172,508
28
Baden
“ .................
1,450,257
884,679— 353,871
106
28,000
193,436
mh. 102,037—
Hamburg and Begedorf,.
15
163,540^— 45,640
Altona and Kiel,..
95,008
72
352,346
thl. 674,701— 506,026
102
653,710
Berlin and Anhalt,.........
“
Frankfort,....
300,700— 225,525
52
232,557
320,“238
181,477— 136,108
“
Potsdam,......
435,619
17
408,890— 306,668
“
Stettin,.........
90
273,131
748,179
152,026— 114,020
Silesia Road,...................
53
249,019
138,951— 104,189
Breslau and Freiburg,....
43
249,896
296,816
14,884—
11,163
45
24,476
3,953
“
Liegniz,......
177,603— 133,200
Saxon-Bavarian..............
45
217,179
432,575
Leipsic and Dresden,__
72
608,819— 456,615
430,197
945,774
“
Magdeburg,.
1,375,421
690,951— 518,189
80
685,953
Helberstadt and “
133,222—
99,917
38
220,618
399,444
Brunswick Road,...........
462,502
218,397— 183,798
65
58,602
Hanover
“ ...........
78,136—
135,554
191,827
41
Dusseldorf & Elderfeldt,
284,495
931,711
160,811— 120,609
17
Rheinish,..........................
2,755,060
539,679— 404,760
374,564
57
77,282
103,042—
Donn. Cologne...............
537,610
20
Total,.....................

1,619

......... $5,749,853

10,256,780

The receipts being given in the currency of the location of the road, as marks courant
in Hamburg, convention florins in Austria, and thalers in Prussia, we have reduced the
whole to United States currency, as near as may be. The result is the whole trade for
1844. Its increase is seen in the returns for the month of December,.as follows:—
No. of passengers..
December, 1843;...............
“
1844...............

512,606
610,943

Receipts,
Thalers.
464,663
539,770

Increase,.................

98,247

75,107

$348,498
404,828
56,330

When we contemplate the means of communication which subsisted in former years,
throughout the ancient empire of Germany— the bad roads, and the creeping wagons,
met at every cross-road by the custom-house officer, and his inquisitorial inspections, to
guard the revenues of each petty prince and potentate, and reflect that all these have been
swept away, and that perfect freedom of intercourse admits steam-cars to connect every
important, point, and lay open every resource of the empire to the capitalist and the mer­
chant, and that 10,000,000 of people within the year availed themselves of these facilities,




Monthly Commercial Chronicle .

475

paying for fares and freights near $6,000,000 to the companies, we become aware of the
great revolution in progress in the interior of Europe, and that the hourly increasing
ability of the people to purchase is producing a corresponding increase of consumption of
foreign produce. The rate of consumption is now far behind that of England and the
United States, in most leading articles; that of sugar being one. Some years since, the
fever of beet-root sugar prevailed to a considerable extent, and the notion was entertained
by the German States that sufficient sugar could be raised from that article, on the Ger­
man soil, to supply the wants of the people. Hence, sugar of that description has enter­
ed to a considerable extent into the consumption of the country. The following table
gives the quantities of each kind consumed in each of the states last year:—
C o n su m p t io n

Prussia,......................
Bavaria,.....................
Saxony,......................
Wurtemburg,.............
Baden,.......................
Hesse Cassel,.............
“
Darmstadt,___
Thuringia...................
Brunswick,.................
Nassau,.....................
Frankfort,..................
Luxemburg,...............
Total centners,.
Total lbs.r ........

of

Colonial sugar.
1,022,280.20
84,119.80
17,894.67
5,388.67
72,976.61
17,454.33
234.00
29.33
15,939.33
1.33
466.00
586.67

1844.
Total.
1,212,846.64
87,846.03
19,174.94
9,473.67
83,901.31
18,650.03
234.00
2,179.37
18,259.70
1.33
464.10
586.67

1,237,368.14
139,822,598

1,453,687.69
164,266,582

S ugar

Beet sugar.
190,566.44
3,527.03
1,280.20
4,085.00
10,924.70
1,195.70
2,150.04
2,590.37

216,319.55
24,443,989

in t h e

Z o l l -V e r e in ,

Population.
15,273,582
4,375,586
1,706,276
1,703,258
1,294,131
702,598
820,907
952,214
241,257
398,095
67,873
175,223
27,711,000

The quantity of beets consumed for the manufacture of this amount of beet sugar, was
4,326,391 centners, or 488,882,003 lbs. This manufacture of beet sugar, which, in 1841,
was one of importance, has now nearly perished. When the duties of the league were
under debate, Bavaria and Wurtemburg objected strongly to the high duty ($3 60 per
113 lbs.) imposed upon foreign sugars, on the ground of its increasing the price to the
consumers. It was adopted, however, in consequence of the idea held out of encouraging
beet-root sugar. This led to extensive cultivation of the sugar beet, and the establish­
ment of many factories, at great expense ; the result of which has been utter loss to those
who embarked in it In 1841, there were in Bavaria ten factories—there are now six.
In many of the states of the league, expensive works have been abandoned altogether,
although the consumption of sugar has considerably increased. It is, however, still far
behind that of Great Britain; where, with nearly the same population, the quantity of
sugar consumed is nearly four times as large. The consumption of cotton and rice, which
aTe free of duty, is yet in its infancy in the Zoll-Verein; but, from the impulse which af­
fairs have there received, as well as in the other countries of Europe, it is very evident its
future grow must be very extensive, if not rivalling that of Great Britain.
The revulsion of 1836-7 has long since spent itself; and, during the period in which
it swept over the commercial world, important events have transpired. Eleven colonies
have been added to the possessions of Great Britain; the heretofore sealed empire of
China has been opened to the commerce of the world ; the gold mines of Russia have
swelled their productions immensely; railroads have been stretched over every avenue of
commerce in both hemispheres, which have lost half their distance from each other through
the power of steam; and the vast cotton fields of Texas have been brought within the
circle of the Union. All these events have been compressed into a decade, although
each one of them is of sufficient importance of itself to have stamped its impress upon a
century. Each and all of these influences are now beginning to exert its power in sti­
mulating trade; and, by giving to labor a better reward, is laying the foundation of a large




Commercial Statistics,

476

increase in the consum ption o f raw materials and food .

T h e great principle a vow ed b y

the British governm ent, is to ameliorate the condition o f labor, by allow in g it to consum e
m ore.

Its reward exists n ot in m ere m on ey paid to it, but in the quantity o f necessaries

and com forts it can com m an d for the laborer. A ll the elem ents seem to conspire to carry
out this principle.

T h e m ore the great laboring masses o f the w h ole w orld can consum e,

the greater w ill be the dem and for produce.

I n the last ten years, the cry has been ,

“ over-production” — the fact has been , “ under-consum ption.”

T h e true rem edy is, n ot

to produce less, but consum e m o r e ; and this rem edy is n o w bein g p ow erfully applied.

COMMERCIAL

STATISTICS.

B R IT IS H F O R E IG N A N D C O A S T IN G T R A D E .
S how ing the N um ber and T onn age o f B ritish V essels em ployed in the C oasting T rad e,
Irish T rad e, and F o re ig n T r a d e ; and the N um ber and T onn age o f F o re ig n V essels
entered inw ards fr o m all p a rts, in clu d in g their rep eated voy a g es— 1801 to 1843.
F

1801........
1802,.......
1803,.......
1804,.......
1805,.......
1806........
1807,.......
1808,.......
1809,.......
1810,.......
1811,.......
1812,.......
1813,.......
1814,.......
1815,.......
1816........
1817.........
1818,.......
1819,.......
1820,.......
1821,.......
1822,.......
1823,.......
1824,.......
1825,.......
1826........
1827,.......
1828,.......
1829,.......
1830,..:...
1831,.......
1832,.......
1 8 3 3,......
1834.........
1835,.......
1836,.......
1837,.......
1838.........
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842........
1843,.......

o r e ig n

Ships.
4,987
7,806
6,264
4,865
5,167
5,211

British ships.
Tons.
922,594
1,333,005
1,115,702
904,932
953,250
904,3G7

5,615
5,154

933,675
896,001

8,975
8,880
9,744
11,255
13,006
11,794
11,285
10,810
11,087
11,271
11,733
13,516
12,473
13,133
13,436
13,659
13,548
14,488
13,372
13,119
13,903
14,295
14,347
15,155
16,113
17,635
17,883
18,525
19,980
20,450

1,290,248
1,372,108
1,415,723
1,625,121
1,886,394
1,809,128
1,668,060
1,599,274
1,664,186
1,740,859
1,797,320
2,144,598
1,950,630
2,086,898
2,094,357
2,184,535
2,180,042
2,367,322
2,185,980
2,185,814
2,298,263
2,442,734
2,505,473
2,616,166
2,785,387
3,101,650
3,197,501
3,361,211
2,332,502
3,594,650

Years.




T

rade

I n w ard s.

Men.

99,119
97,273
111,880
107,556
100,325
97,485
98,980
112,244
108,686
123,028
113,093
118,686
119,141
122,185
122,103
131,627
122,594

146,319
154,499
170,339
172,404
178,696

Ships.
5,497
3,728
4,254
4,271
4,517
3,793
4,087
1,926
4,922
6,876
3,216

Foreign ships.
Tons.
780,155
480,251
638,104
607,299
691,883
612,904
680,144
283,657
759,287
1,176,243
687,180

5,286
5,314
3,116
3,396
6,238
4,215
3,472
3,261
3,389
4,069
5,653
6,968
5,729
6,046
4,955
5,218
5,359
6,085
4,546
5,505
5,898
6,005
7,131
7,343
8,679
10,326
10,198
9,527
8,392
8,837

599,287
746,985
379,465
445,011
762,457
542,684
447,611
•396,256
469,151
582,996
759,441
958,132
694,116
.751,864
634,620
710,303
758,828
874,605
639,979
762,085
833,905
866.990
988,899
1,005,940
1,211,666
1,331,365
1,460,294
1,291,165
1,225,949
1,324,808

Men.

____

39,342
41,870
.......

56,778
68,891
79,550
81,295
73,634

......

477

Commercial Statistics,
C o a st in g

and

I r is h T

rade

Ships.
1801,..
1802,..
1803..
1804..
1805..
1806..
1807..
1808..
1809..
1810..
1811,..
1812,..
1813..
1814..
1815..
1816..
1817..
1818..
1819..
1820..
1821,..
1822,..

I n w a rd s,

in c l u d in g

Coasting.

Years.

Tons.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
110,566
i t l l 3 ,0 3 3
' 127,365
(j t l l 3 ,2 0 6
1 127,722
♦j t i l 1,324
( 125,720

1 8 2 3 ,.........
1 8 2 4 ,.........

...

s

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

119,488
118,849
119,283
116,866
122,440
121,329
123,795
128,011
128,171
130,254
133,299
131.321
127,840
13 3,82 4

7,899,603
8,1 01,3 37
9 ,1 67,5 73
8 ,3 00,7 56
9 ,3 92,9 65
8 ,3 68,8 12
9 ,5 0 3 ,5 5 4
8 ,1 8 6 ,6 0 4
8 ,9 11,1 09
8 ,9 3 3 ,6 3 3
9 ,2 40,1 40
9 ,2 7 9 ,3 0 8
9,419,681
9 ,4 00,3 36
9 ,8 74,7 15
10,188 ,916
1 0 ,337 ,545
10 ,4 0 9 ,3 7 0
1 0 ,491 ,752
10 ,6 1 0 ,4 0 4
1 0 ,776 ,056
10,869,071
10,785 ,450
10,260 ,771

THEIR REPEATED VOYAGES.

Irish Trade.
Ships.
Tons.
5,360
456,026
5,820
461,328
5,796
504,884
5,643
490,455
6,306
566,790
6,907
578,297
.......
No returns.
8,477
768,264
7,041
600,898
8,403
713,087
9,014
789,097
10,812
925,736
8,569
718,851
7.562
613,898
8,462
680,333
7.575
621,272
9,186
770,547
7,969
644,896
8.575
699,885
9,229
783,750
9,440
819,648
9.562
822,927
9,3 82

78 6,63 7

7,5 3 4

61 5,39 6

8,922

74 1,18 2

6,388
7,411
8,7 90
8 ,9 2 2
8,4 55
9,029
9,7 05
9,476
10,026
10 ,116
9,820
10,299
10 ,312
9,221
9,4 2 3
9 ,9 2 4
9,060

632,972
73 7,75 2
92 3,50 5
90 6,15 8
88 0 ,9 6 5
92 1 ,1 2 8
1 ,0 26,6 13
1,041,882
1,1 00,3 89
1,1 38,1 47
1,1 79,0 62
1 ,2 02,1 04
1,2 64,9 75
1,1 76,8 93
1,150,393
1,196,385
1,148,887

BUSINESS OF L IT T L E FO RT, ILLINOIS.
In the first number of the Banner, a new weekly paper commenced at Little Fort,
we find several items in regard to its location, business, and present state of the market.
The village is situated forty-five miles north from Chicago, nine and a half miles south of
the north line of the state, and sixteen miles south of Southport, W . T . On the 19th of
August, 1842, Little Fort had 85 inhabitants; on the 1st of March last, 452. But the
position which this place now sustains in the public eye must necessarily tend to a rapid
increase of population. There is nearly one-half a section of land laid out into town*
* No returns of coasting trade previous to 1823.
N
t Coasting trade marked (t) 1823-4-5-6, from Huskisson’s speech, 7th May, 1827.




478

Commercial Statistics.

lots, a large portion o f which is already sold and improved. A substantial court-house,
and sixty other new buildings, have been erected during the past year, together with a
large warehouse near the pier. The imports and exports for the past season are append­
ed. Arrivals of steam and other craft, 151.
I m por ts.

E xports.

Merchandise,.............
Lumber,....................
Shingles and bolts,....
Salt,...........................
Flour,.........................
Pork and beef,...........

1,011
863
447
758
650
145

Wheat,.....................
Oats,..........................
Hides,........................
Furs and skins,........
Pork,.........................
Wood,.......................

66,000
200
8,000
2,000
15
1,300

«
N E W LONDON W H A LE FISH ERY , FOR L A S T T W E N T Y -F IV E YEARS.
The New London Advocate furnishes the following statement of vessels, and produce
of the whale fishery, at that port, from 1820, (the time of its commencement in New
London,) till 1844, inclusive:—
Ships, &c. Whale.
Sperm. Years.
Ships, &c. Whale.
Years.
Sperm.
22
20
21
18
20
18
18
18
13
17
10
17
12

18 4 4 ,.......
18 4 3 ,.........
18 4 2 ,.........
1 8 4 1 ..........
18 4 0 ,.........
1839,.........
18 38,.........
18 3 7 ,.........
18 3 6 ,.........
1 8 3 5 ,.........
18 3 4 ..........
18 3 3 ..........
18 3 2 ,.........

2,2 9 6
3,5 98
4,0 5 5
3,9 20
4,1 10
4 ,1 0 5
3,301
8,4 69
3,1 98
12,189
4 ,5 6 5
8 ,5 0 3
703

39,816
3 4 ,677
28 ,165
26,893
32 ,038
2 6 ,2 7 4
2 4 ,953
2 6 ,7 7 4
18,663
16,397
12,549
2 2 ,3 9 5
2 1 ,375

1831,.........
1830,.........
1829,.........
1828,.........
1827,.........
1826,.........
1825,.........
1824..........
18 23,.........
18 22,.........
18 21,.........
1820,.........

14
14
9

5

5
3

19,402
15,248
11,325
5,4 35
3,375
2,8 0 4
5,483
4,996
6,712
4,5 28
2,3 23
1,731

6,4 87
9,7 92
2^205
168
6,1 56
88
2,2 7 6
1,9 24
2,3 1 8
194
105
73

I t will be seen that the imports for the past year (whale and sperm) have exceeded that
of any previous year 3,837 bbls.

W H A LE FISH E R Y OF SAG HARBOR, IN 1844.
W e are indebted to the politeness of our esteemed friend, Luther D. Cook, of Sag
Harbor, for the following tabular statements of the whale fishery for that district, during
the year 1844. Mr. Cook has been for a long time interested in this branch of commer­
cial enterprise, and is a very accurate gatherer of the statistics of the whale fishery, for
the Sag Harbor district. W e should be glad if some gentlemen residing at the different
ports would oblige us with similar annual statements.
L

is t o f

A

r r iv a l s

O f Whaling Vessels, with the amount o f the produce o f the Fishery, within the District
o f Sag Harbor, (IV. Y.,) during the year 1844.
A bsent.
Bbls. Bbls.
Lbs.
Timeofarr. Name.
Tons. Mo. Ds.
Master.
Sp. oil. Wh. oil. bone.
1844.
March 18— Arabella,*........... 3G7 29 23 H. Babcock.
414 2,248 20,258
April
9— Franklin,!.......... 391 32 27 J. Halsey.
193 2,922 28,391
“
14—Portland*............ 292 20 11 W . H. Payne.
29
2,454 22,850
“
14—Hudson*.............. 368 18
2 H. Nickerson, jr.
00
2,369 21,840
“
19—Roanoke,t............ 251 19 18 N. Case.
94
1,720 15,417
“
25— Timor,*............... 289 18 29 A. Eldredge.
38J 2,466 26,098
May 19—Alciope*.............. 378 20
8 B. C. Payne.
152 2,419 20,776
“
[24— Hamilton 1st,*... 322 22 23 I. Ludlow.
341 2,022 17,739
June
8—Wiscasset*........ 380
30
2 S. P. Smith.
240 2,736 27,000




* Ships.

t Barques.

Commercial Statistics.
June
“
“
July
“
“
“
“

18— Thos. Dickason,* 454
24—Acasta.t............. 286
24— Sarah & Esther,t
157
11— Ontario 1st,*. 368
13— Barbara,!....... 260
18— Washington,*. 236
28—Phoenix*............ 314
28—Nimrod,!...... 280

35
4 W . S. Havens.
21 25 J. M. Havens.
12
8 D. B. Harlow.
24 10 J. M. Green.
10 16 E. H. Howes.
12 00 E. P. Brown.
23 28 S. P.Briggs.
11
1 A. Rogers.

479

44
58
00
78
126
00
00
189i

4,334
1,401
842
2,993
1,053
1,392
2,518
309

37,200
13,600
7,500
23,000
7,607
10,185
16,920
1,220

17 arrivals in 1844.
5,393 tons.
1,997 36,198 317,601
34 departures from the district, in 1844,........................................................ tons
11,707
37 vessels sailed from the district in 1842 and 1843, and now out,..................
13,040
71, total number of vessels............................................................................. tons
L

is t of

V

24,747

esse i .s

Engaged in the Whale Fishery, sailed from the District o f Sag Harbor, (IV. Y.,) in 1844.
Time sl’g.
Name.
Tons.
Master.
Destination. Managing owners & ag'nts.
1844.
May 2—Silas Richards,*. 454 Richard Dering. N. W . C. Mulford & Sleight
“ 13—Philip 1st,!......... 293 J. S. Case.
“
Wells,Carpenter& Ireland.
“
23— Panama,*......... 465 T. E. Crowell.
“
N. & G. Howell.
“
28— Arabella,*........ 367 H. Babcock.
“
N. & G. Howell.
“ 28— Ohio,*................ 297 T. Lowen.
“
Post & Sherry.
June 1— Portland,*.......... 292 J. Wade, jr.
“
S. & B. Huntting & Co.
“
4— Niantic,*........... 451 S. H. Slate.
“
Charles P. Dering.
“
5—Franklin,!........... 391 E. Halsey.
“
Huntting Cooper.
“
6— Gentleman,!...... 227 W. L. Payne.
C. I.
Ira B. Tuthill.
“ 24— Sabina*............. 416 D. P. Vail.
N. W . C. Charles P. Dering.
July 1— Timor,*.............. 289 N. Edwards.
“
Huntting Cooper.
“
8—Hudson,*............ 368 H. Nickerson, jr.
“
L. D. Cook and H. Green.
“ 22— Hamilton 1st,*... 322 J. Babcock.
I. O.
Charles P. Dering.
“ 22— Alciope,.*.......... 377 J. Halsey.
N. W. C. Post & Sherry.
“ 29— St. Lawrence,*... 523 E. M. Baker.
“
L. D. Cook and H. Green.
“
Wiggins & Parsons.
“ 29—Roanoke,!.......... 251 S. Baldwin.
“ 30—John W ells,*.... 366 J. W. Hedges.
“
Thomas Brown.
Aug. 12— Thos. Dickason,* 454 W . Lowen.
“
Mulford & Sleight.
“ 17— Sarah & Esther,! 157 S. Griffing.
S. A. O. Ireland, Wells & Carpenter.
“ 23—Acasta,!............. 286 D. B. Harlow.
N. W . C. John Budd.
“ 29—Ontario 1st,*...... 368 J. M. Green.
“
S. & B. Huntting & Co.
“ 30— Barbara,!........... 260 H. French.
S. A. O. Charles P. Dering.
“ 31—Nimrod,!............ 280 W . F. Fowler.
“
Charles P. Dering.
“ 31— Washington,!.... 236 G. W. Corwin.
I. O.
Wiggins & Parsons.
Sept 4— Neva,*............... 363 N. Case.
N. W . C. Ireland, Wells & Carpenter.
“ 18— Martha,*............ 359 D. R. Drake.
“
L. D. Cook and H. Green.
“ 19— Levant,*............. 382 J. M. Havens.
“
Nathan N. Tiffany.
“ 19— Noble 2 d ,!........ 273 W. B. Howes.
S. A. O. Charles P. Dering.
N. W . C. S. & B. Huntting & Co.
“ 28—Wiscasset,*........ 380 W. H. Payne.
Oct. 5— Italy,*................. 298 F. Weld.
“
David G. Floyd.
“ 10— Phcenix,*........... 314 S. P. Briggs.
“
L. D. Cook and H. Green.
“ 14— Salem,*.............. 470 D. Hand.
“
Mulford & Sleight.
“ 31— Oscar,!............... 369 I. Ludlow.
“
Huntting Cooper.
Nov. 7—Lucy Ann.*....... 309 E. P. Brown.
“
Wiggins, Parsons & Cooke.
34 departures in 1844.

11,707
L is t

of

V

esse ls

Engaged in the Whale Fishery, from the District o f Sag Harbor, which have not re­
turned during the past year, and are now at sea, January 1, 1845.
Timesl’g.
Name.
Tons.
Master.
Destination. Managing owners & ag’nts.
1842.
Sept. 2—Henry Lee,*...... 409 L. L. Bennet. N. W . C. S. & B. Huntting & Co.
O ct
7—John Jay,*........ 494 W J. Rogers.
“
N. & G. Howell.
“
7— Tuscany,*......... 299 J. Godby.
“
John Budd.




* Ships.

t Barques.

Commercial Statistics.

480

Nov. 25— Ann Mary Ann,*
380 J. Winters.
“
Mulford & Sleight.
1843.
Mar. 25— Caroline,+........... 252 J. Rose.
S. A. O. Wiggins & Parsons.
April 21—Citizen,*............. 464 D. F. Lansing. N. W. C. Mulford & Sleight.
June 10—Neptune,*.......... 338 W . Pierson.
“
S. & B. Huntting & C o.
“ 19— Washington,*.... 340 N. C. Sandford.
“
Huntting Cooper.
“ 20—Columbia,+........ 285 L. B. Edwards.
“
L. D. Cook and H. Green.
“ 29— Concordia,t....... 265 E. Cartwright.
I. O. Thomas Brown.
July 5—Henry,* .............. 333 G. B. Brown.
N. W . C. Samuel L ’Hommedieu.
“
Mulford & Howell.
“ 7— Ann,*.................. 299 S. C. Leek.
“ 7— Thames,*............ 414 J. R. Bishop.
“
Thomas Brown.
“ 20— Noble,t.............. 274 D. Sweeny.
“
Ira B. Tuthill.
“
N. &, G. Howell.
“ 21— F r a n c e ,* ........ 411 S. W . Edwards.
“ 24— Superior,+........... 275 J. Bishop, jr.
“
Post & Sherry.
Aug. 11— Triad,*............... 336 I. M. Case.
“
Corwins & Howell.
“ 17— Daniel Webster,* 397 E. H. Curry.
“
Mulford & Howell.
“ 17— Delta,*................ 314 D. Weeks.
N.H. Corwins & Howell.
“ 24— Cadmus,*.......... 307 D. Smith, jr.
I. O. Mulford & Sleight.
“ 28— Hamilton 2d,*... 455 D. Loper.
N. W .C . Mulford & Sleight.
“ 30— Hannibal,*......... 311 J. Canning.
“ S. & B. Huntting & Co.
“ 31— Marcus,*............ 283 S. L. Sherman. S. A. O. N. & G. Howell.
“ 31— Ontario 2d,*....... 489 B. R. Green.
N. W . C. Post & Sherry.
Sept 16— Alexander,*........ 370 W . A. Jones.
“ William A . Jones.
“ 16— Gem,t................... 326 T. B. Worth.
“ Huntting Cooper.
“ 18— American,!.......... 283 J. Havens.
“ S. & B. Huntting & Co.
“ 21— Huron,*............. 290 W . A. Green.
“
L. D. Cook and H. Green.
“ 27— Bayard,!............. 339 J. N. Fordham.
“
Corwins & Howell.
“ 28—Romulus,!.......... 233 J. Rogers.
I.O. Mulford & Howell.
O ct 4— William Tell,*... 370 B. Glover, jr.
N. H. Thomas Brown.
“ 11— Crescent,*.......... 340 S. Miller.
N. W . C. Post & Sherry.
“ 18— Helen,*.............. 424 M. P. Cartwright.
“
Charles P. Dering.
“ 25— Illinois,*............ 463 D. Jagger.
“
JohnBudd.
“ 30—Josephine,*........ 397 Thomas W . Roys. “
Post & Sherry.
Nov. 8— Manhattan,*....... 440 M. Cooper.
“
John Budd.
Dec. 4— Fanny,*.............. 391 H. H. Edwards.
“
N . & G. Howell.
37 vessels sailed in 1842
and 1843.
13,040

* Ships.

! Barques.

B A L TIC TRADE.
S how ing the N um ber o f V essels w hich p a ssed the Sound, d istin gu ish in g British, fro m
F o reig n , and the proportion o f B ritish to F o reig n Ships. A lso , the N um ber and T on ­
n a g e o f B ritish V essels lost in the B a ltic.
V

Years.
1826,.......
1827,.......
1828,.......
1829,.......
1830........
1831,.......
1832........
1833,.......
1834,.......
1835,.......
1836,.......
1837,.......
1838,.......
1839,.......
1840........
1841,.......
1842........

essels 1PASSED

British.
3,730
5,099
4,426
4,791
4,274
4,772
3,330
3,192
2,756
2,472
3,188
3,417
4,009
4,498
4,071
3,777




THE S o und .

Foreign.
7,335
7,901
8,821
8,685
8,938
8,174
8,872
7,793
7,849
7,783
8,728
9,685
9,951
11,677
11.591
10,958

L

o st in t h e

Prop, of British
Total. to tot. ship’ng. Ships.
0.337
11,065
13,000
0.392
13,247
0.334
13,476
0.355
13,212
0.323
12,946
0.442
33
12,202
0.324
14
10,985
0.351
16
10,605
0.314
18
10,255
0.295
12
11,916
0.322
23
13,102
0.323
23
13,960
0.348
13
16,175
0.342
14
15,662
0.305
7
14,735
0.297
23

I

B a l t ic ,

Tons.

Total
Br. trade.

6,334
2,897
3,570
3,687
2,760
5,668
3,812
3,043
2,998
2,025
5,389

866,684
592,833
590,859
519,846
470,727
605,889
655,447
756,470
840,971
733,139
671,652

Steamboat, Railroad, and Canal Statistics.

481

S T E A M B O A T , R A I L R O A D , A N D CANAL S T A T I S T I C S .
M ADISON AND IN D IAN APO LIS RAILROAD.
The following extract from the report of a committee appointed by the directors, ex­
hibits the history and condition of the road, its income and business, and future prospects,
very satisfactorily:—
The Madison and Indianapolis railroad was one of the works embraced in the general
system of internal improvements adopted by the state, in the year 1836. It was then
located from Madison to Columbus, 45 miles ; and afterwards to Edinburgh, 11 miles
further. The expenditures of the state on the road, between the years 1836 and 1842,
were $1,624,291 9 3 ; of which $62,493 21 were received from tolls, and the balance
from the state treasury.
The legislature of 1842, finding the public works unprofitable and expensive, with no
funds to complete them, and dull prospects from them if completed, passed the act pro­
viding for their extension by private companies, as herein, under which this association
has heen organized. By virtue of its provisions, about $80,000, mostly in land, at cash
prices, was subscribed as stock, in April and May, 1842. In June, directors were chosen,
and the board organized—in July, the first thirteen miles north of Griffith’s were put under
contract; and, soon after, the next four, to Columbus. The road was completed, June 1,
1843, three miles, to Scipio ; September 1, seven miles further, to Elizabethtown; Feb­
ruary 1,1844, four and a half miles, to Clifty; and July 3, two and a half miles further,
to Columbus.
The company took possession of the road on the 20th February, 1843; from which,
until the 3d February, 1844, the receipts from tolls were $22,110 33; of which $5,918 92
were paid for expenses of transportation, $3,342 28 for repairs of road, $2,641 44 for
8,638 70, was profits
e road, and added to the capital stock. The receipts in
1844,........... .......
February 20,1843, to March 31, $1,551 98 January,
<c
1,449 53 March,
April,
.......
u
1,256 84 April,
May,
.......
it
1,221 58 May,
June,
.......
H
1,304 82 June,
July,
it
1,205 62 July,
August,
IS
1,444 87 August,
September,
.......
2,183 27 September 28, i i
October,
.......
Si
3,083 89 October,
November,
.......
it
November,
3,868 09
December,
.......

3,499
3,109
2,477
3,055
2,772
2,854
3,309
4,554

66
96
36
78
36
09
20
80
84
67

The ordinary expenses of the road, for each working day, have been, for some time,
about $ 3 6 ; and, when two engines are run, $10 more. For the success which has
heretofore attended the association, much credit is due to N. B. Palmer, Esq., late presi­
dent and superintendent, who voluntarily retired from those stations on 1st of July last.

STEAM B E T W E E N N E W Y O R K AND LIVERPOOL.
The Great Western Steam-ship Company’s steam-ship Great Western, Capt. Mathews
and their new iron steam-ship Great Britain, Capt. Hosken, are appointed to sail during
the year 1845, as follows:—
F rom N

F r o m L iv e r p o o l .

Great Western,.
Great Western,.
Great Western,.
Great Britain,..
Great Western,.
Great Britain,..
Great Western,.
Great Britain,...

Si

((
Si
Si
it
ii
tt

VOL. X II.— -NO. V.




17th May.
5th July.
2d August
23d August
27th Sept.
11th Oct.
22d Nov.

ew

Y

ore.

Great Western,....... Thursday, 24th April.
Great Western,.......
“
12th June.
Great Western,.......
“
31st July.
Great Britain,..........Saturday, 30th August.
Great Western,....... Thursday, 18th Sept.
Great Britain,......... Saturday, 25th Oct.
Great Western,....... Thursday, 6th Nov.
Great Britain,..........Saturday, 20th Dec.
30

Steamboat, Railroad, and Canal Statistics.

482

PASSAGES O F T H E G R E A T W E S TE R N .
The following details of the seventy passages of the Great Western across the Adam
tic, form an interesting record connected with the rise and progress of steam navigation:—
F r o m B r is t o l

or

L iv e r p o o l , t o N e w Y o r k , v i z : f r o m K in g - R o a d ,
t h e W h a r f — T im e b y t h e C h r o n o m e t e r .

or the

Arrived.
1838.
April 23...............
June 17................
August 5..............
September 24......
November 15.......

D.

H.

15
14
14
16
19

10
16
18
9
0

3,111
3,140
3,043
3,050
3,100

7
57
131
143
107

1839.
January 28.
March 23...
May 18......
July 6........
August 24...
October 19..

1839.
February 16..
April 14.........
May 31..........
July 22...........
September 10.
November 2...

18
22
13
16
16
14

20
6
12
0
20
22

3.114
3,350
3,086
3,030
3.025
3,021

104

1840.
February 20..
April 15........
June 4.........
July 25..........
September 12.
November 7..

1840.
March 7.........
May 3...........
June 18........ .
August 9........
September 27.,
November 24.

15
17
14
14
15
16

April 8................

April 23...............

May 27..............
July 14...............
September 1......
October 23,
\
1.15, p. M ....

June 10.................
July 29.................
September 16......
5 Nov’r 8, mid- {
\ night.............S

\

Time.

14 ----

1841.

3,058
3,093
3,073
3,018
3,049
3.025

17
20
18
23
7
12

S 15 12 to an- 1
j chor outside, t
14
12
15
2
15
10
16

100
85
97
54
40
—
44

3,033
3,014
3,036

42
98
127
-----

8 4 .2

69
64
65
97
109
-----

8 0 .4

60
67
124
136
-----

9 6 .3

1843.
April 29.............
June 17.............
August 5............
September 23....

1843.
May 11, midnight.
July 1....................
August 21...........
October 7.............

1844.
June 22,3.15 p . m .
Aug. 17,12.45 >

1844.
July 6, midnight..

14

20

2,890

33

August 3 1 , 6 , p.

m.

14

5

2,966

135

p. m .

14

10

3,093
3,020
3,028
3,020
3,036
14 15

12
13
15
14

18
16
16
4

3,068
3,027
3,025
3,020
14

P .M ................. $
1 1 a. m.

O ct 12,

34 voyages.
Average,




Oct. 26,9.30,

527

14

2,934
l/l 19.

139

102

—

3,113

10
15 12

75.3

111

1842.
April 17, noon__
June 4 , 2 .2 5 , p. m .
July 30.................
Sept. 17, 10, p. m .
Nov. 6, 6J p. m . . . .

4
24
14
10
8

114.1

77

3,096

3,035

12

110
107
114
113
137
-----

1842.
Ap. 2,1.30, r. m .
May 21, 5, p. M .
July 16, 1, p. M ..
Sept. 3, 5, p. m .. .
Oct. 22,3, p. m . .

15
14
14
14
15

to

Dis. run
in naut. Pass’n- Yearly
gers. av’age.
i. miles.

Sailed.
1838.
April 8........
June 2.........
July 21........
September8.
October 27..

1841.

D o ck s ,

91

Steamboat, Railroad, and Canal Statistics.
F r o m B r is t o l

Sailed.
1843.
February 11.......
F rom N

ew

Y

ork

to

Arrived.
1843.
March 12...........
to

M

a d e ir a a n d

N

ew

29

ork.

day 4 hrs.
at Madeira.

Arrived.
1838.
May 22........ ........
July 8..................
August 30............
October 16...........
December 7.........

1839.
February 25 .........
April 22 ................
June 13................
August 1................
September 21....
November 1 6 ... .

1839.
March 12 ................
May 7..................
June 26.....................
Aug. 13,4.30 a . m.
October 4 ................
November 30.......

1840.
March 19..............
May 9.................
July 1.....................
August 18.............
October 10...........
December 9.......

1840.'
April 2 ......................
May 23................
July 14......................
August 31............
October 23...........
December 23.......

1841.
May 1.....................
June 19................
August 7...........
September 25....
November 23....

1841.
May 14, 7.30 p. m .
July 3...................
August 20...........
October 8 .............
December 6.........

1842.

1642.

14
12
13
12
13

h a r f to

4,698

52

K i n s - R oad ,

0
14
2
12
16

3,218
3,099
3,058
3,068
3,152

66
91
87
127
80
Qft 1

A

3,133
3,332
3,033
3,067
3,034
3,038

12
0
6
10*
0
10

36
113
115
64
43
31

13 17
14
14
13
13
13
14

4
2
12
1
6
9

67.
3,101
3,076
3,138
3,030
3,028
3,071

52
137
152
69
97
70

13 21
13
14
12
12
13

1
2
10
13
5

M a yll,4 A .M .lh .

June 16,2.30 p . m .
Aug. 11,2. 15 p . m .
Sept. 29, 2 p. m..
November 17....

June 29, 7.30 a . m .
Aug. 24, 2 p. m ...
Oct. 12, 11 p. m ...
Nov. 30, 10 p. m ..

1843.
May 25..............
July 13...............
August 31.........
October 19.........

1843.
June 8 .....................
July 26.................
September 14......
November 1.........

1844.
July20,3.15p. m.
Sept.14, 3 .1 5 p . m .
Nov. 9,2.30 p. m.

1844.
Aug. 4, 12 noon..
Sep.29,12 midn’ t.
Nov. 23,11.45 a m .

C 12
<4
t to light
(
vessel.
12
12
12
19
13
4
12
15

96.1
3,208
3,109
3,081
3,063
3,049

13
April 2 8 ...............

or

h.

IQ

14
15
13
12
13
13

gers.

Dis. run
Yearly in naut. Pass’n- Yearly
average, miles.
gers. av’age.

Time.
d.

miles.

1

H.
1

B r is t o l o r L iv e r p o o l , v iz : f r o m t h e W
t h e D ocks — T im e b y t h e C h r o n o m e t e r .

Sailed.
1838.
May 7....................
June 25.............
August 16.........
October 4 ...........
November 2 3 . ...

Dis. run Pas­
in naut. s e n ­

•

T irae.
D.

Y

483

94
81
68
43
30

14

S

62.4
3,248

77

3,225
3,106
3,048
3,077

99
70
35
29

3,116
3,106
3,090
3,069

126
104
73
99

12 16
13
12
13
12

8

21
8

17
13

34 voyages.........
A v e ra g e ...............




14
15
13
454

1J

20

100.2
2,891
3,231
2,791

8

21
14

8

13

9

19

66
30
31
42.
2,585
76

484

Steamboat, Railroad, and Canal Statistics.
F r o m N e w Y o r k t o L iv e r p o o l .

Dis. run in
PasSailed.
Arrived.
Time.
naut. miles, seng’rs.
1843.
1843.
d.
h.
March 16...............
April 1...................
15
11
3,140
24
Total distance run, including passages to London, Milford, and Liverpool, 256,000 sta­
tute miles ; and the average speed outward, 9$ miles per hour; homeward, 11$ miles.

OPENING AND CLOSING OF T H E N E W YO R K CANALS.
The following table shows the date of opening and closing the canals, and the number
of days of navigation in each year, from 1824 to the present:—
Navigation Navigation No. dsNavigation Navigation No. ds.
opened.
closed, of navclosed, of nav. Years.
opened.
Years.
Nov. 30
230
April 15
April 30
Dec. 4
219 1835,....
1824,......
“ 26
216
238 1836,....
“ 25
“ 12
“ 5
1825,......
234
243 1837,....
“ 20
Dec. 9
“ 20
“ 18
1826,......
228
241 1838,....
Nov. 25
“ 22
« 12
“ 18
1827,......
269 1839,....
Dec. 16
241
“ 20
“ 20
Mar. 27
1828,......
228
210 1840,....
“ 20
« 3
May 2
“ 17
1829,......
221
242 1841,....
Nov. 30
April 20
“ 17
« 32
1830,......
“ 28
222
“ 16
230
1842,....
“ 20
« 1
1831,......
241 1843,....
May 1
“ 30
214
“ 25
“ 21
1832.......
“ 26
April 15
222
“ 12
238
1844,....
“ 19
1833,......
tt
“ 12
240 1845......
“ 15
“ 17
1834,......
STATISTICS OF BRITISH STEAM N AVIGATION.
The following table, compiled from official documents, shows the number and tonnage
of steam vessels belonging to England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the total number and
tonnage belonging to the United Kingdom in each year, from 1814 to 1843, inclueive:—
E ngland.
S cotlan d.
I reland.
U. K in g d o m .
Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels., Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.
Years.
....
,,,
i
69
i
69
1814,...
209
429
5
3
8
1815,...
638
315
632
5
7
...
12
1816,...
947
462
514
6
i
63
7
1817,...
14
1,039
1,586
683
i
63
10
8
1818,...
19
2,332
11
825
1,459
2
11
264
1819,...
24
2,548
1,639
14
1,127
3
17
252
34
1820,...
3,018
26
3,377
3,344
4
59
29
330
6,051
1821,...
5,322
52
28
2,701
5
434
85
1822,...
8,457
26
2,347
6
69
7,527
487
101
10.361
1823,...
2,682
80
8,642
29
5
409
114
1824,...
11,733
112
12,280
36
3,292
3
192
151
1825,...
15,764
162
16,791
51
4,496
15
2,899
1826,...
228
24,186
5,390
21
173
17,734
59
4,194
253
1827,...
27,318
56
4,903
25
191
18,367
4,740
272
1828,...
28.010
203
19,085
57
5,399
27
5,017
287
1829,...
29,501
61
31
203
18,831
5,687
5,491
295
30,009
1830,...
62
35
223
20,304
5,777
6,181
320
32,262
1831,...
20,813
73
7,205
40
235
7,220
348
1832,...
35,238
71
7,075
43
268
23,290
7,757
382
1833,...
38,122
46
301
27,059
77
8,187
8,183
43,429
424
1834,...
68
344
30,351
85
9,833
52,767
1835,...
12,583
497
95
11,588
71
59,362
388
34,314
13,460
554
1836,...
37,240
109
13,368
69,045
422
87
18,437
618
1837,...
484
43,877
105
13,113
74,684
1838,...
84
17,694
673
45,160
86
79,240
517
117
15,704
1839,...
18,376
720
87,539
50,491
19,497
79
560
129
17,551
768
1840,...
585
59,040
126
19,133
790
79
17,505
95,678
1841,...
69,699
133
827
1842,...
615
19,925
79
18,303
107,927
646
855
1843,...
72,042
128
19,422
81
17,824
109,288




Steamboat, Railroad, and Canal Statistics,

485

Number and Tonnage o f British Steam Vessels built and registered in eaeh year, from
1814 to 1843.
E nglan d.
S cotland.
I reland.
U. K in g d o m .
Years.
Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Ton’ge. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.
5
285
1814........................................
5
285 ..........................
1815,...
161
625 .
786
2
7
9
1816,...
4
270 .
568
4
298
8
3
194 .
421
1817,...
4
227
7
3
216 .
1818,...
3
6
1,340
1.124
2
167 .
342
1819,...
2
175
4
102
4
403
1
8
655
1820,...
3
150
10
22
1821,...
12
1,463
1,545 .
3,008
369 .
2,449
4
27
1822,...
23
2,080
2,469
2
1823,...
2,344
125 .
19
17
5
17
2,234
1824,...
12
547 .
1,687
5
403 .
24
3,003
1825,...
19
2,600
22
72
2,718 .
8,638
1826,...
50
5,920
1
118
28
3,376
1827,...
18
9
994
2,264
30
2,039
5
352 .
1828,...
25
1,687
16
1,751
1829,...
1,080
3
671
.
13
18
8
814 .
1,745
1830,...
10
931
2,749
695 .
31
1831,...
7
24
2,054
33
2,851
1832,...
14
1,908 .
19
943
«
6
’ 33
2,928
1833,...
27
1,964
964 .
10
36
26
1,675 .
5,128
1834,...
3,453
23
86
10,924
1835,...
63
6,844
4,080 .
63
8,758
1836,...
43
5,924
20
2,834 .
22
958
78
11,669
1837,...
53
6,223
3
4,488
6,286
18
3,263 ,
84
1838,...
66
9,549
6,139
1839,...
43
18
1
286
62
2,885
2,968
16
4,110 ,
10,296
1840,...
59
6,186
75
1841,...
9
7,683
342
48
11,363
38
1
3,158
13,716
1842,...
58
6,063
1843,...
45
Showing the Number and Tonnage o f Steam Vessels employed in the Coasting Trade
and Foreign Trade, entered inwards from all parts, distinguishing British from Fo­
reign ships, including their repeated voyages.
B r it i s h S t e a m V e s se l s I n w a r d s .

Years.
1820,.......
1821,.......
1822,.......
1823,.......
1824,.......
1825,.......
1826,.......
1827,.......
1828,.......
1829,.......
1830........
1831........
1832,.......
1833,.......
1834,.......
1835,.......
1836........
1837,.......
1838........
1839,.......
1840,.......
1841,.......
1842,.......
1843,.......

Coastwise.
Skips.
Tons.
9
505
188
20,028
31,596
215
55,146
434
124,073
888
257,734
1,666
2,810
452,995
737,020
4,404
914,414
5,591
5,792
978,981
1,073,506
6,796
1,161,012
7,072
7,769
1,256,805
1,513,684
9,070
10,046
1,609,324
1,849,409
11,227
13,003
2,238,137
15,481
2,671,577
17,771
2,959,125
2,926,521
15,556
2,913,505
15,464
15,136
2,903,784
15,115
2,961,970
3,001,431
14,633




F o r e ig n .

Foreign.
Ships.

Tons.

159
129
139
186
334
443
482
497
560
537
537
681
968
1,015
1,122
1,123
1,983
2,293
2,057
2,182
2,113
2,439

14,497
8,942
10,893
16,155
32,631
50,285
52,679
51,754
62,613
65,946
71,493
98,224
146,720
170,151
195,722
217,640
286,264
356,595
321,651
360,675
330,038
379,909

Inwards.
Ships.
Tons.
10
7
6
11
38
74
58
3
42
85
74
51
12
18
50
60
441
511
471
478
492
533

520
364
312
652
2,206
4,558
3,406
405
7,781
11,345
7,000
3,708
3,164
5,058
10,948
12,504
54,401
70,773
1,626
55,832
69,426
77,225

Nautical Intelligence.

486

Showing the Number o f Steam Vessels employed in the Coasting and Foreign Trade,
(including their repeated voyages,) and o f the proportion per cent o f the Coasting and
Foreign Trade performed by Steam Vessels, at intervals o f three years, commencing
1821, and the Number o f Foreign Steam Vessels employed, and the proportion per
cent o f the Foreign Trade performed by them.
B r it i s h S t e a m V esse ls .

F o r ’ g n S . V e s se l s .

Prop,
Prop,
Prop,
per ct.
per ct.
Foreign.
per ct.
Coastwise.
Years.
Ships.
Ships.
Ships.
Ships.
Ships.
Ships.
1821,.......
188
1824........
6
.107
139
1.188
888
.697
1.223
74
1827........
4,404
443
3.373
1830,.......
.783
5.691
560
4.133
42
6,796
1833........
.926
51
9,070
7.765
681
5.190
.701
1836,.......
1,122
50
12,988
10.499
7.820
4.948
1839........
2,293
13.002
511
15,556
11.947
1842,.......
5.826
492
15,115
11.827
2,113
10.575
1843,.......
6.031
533
14,633
10.934
2,439
11.437
N o t e .— The great apparent increase in the number of foreign steam vessels, is from the
number of passage vessels. For example, there arrived, during the year 1841,478 foreign
steamers entered inwards, of which 334 were at the port of Dover, and but 72 at the port
of London; whilst, of British steam vessels from foreign ports, 621 ships, 149,748 tons,
entered inwards at the port of London, and 940 ships, 59,081 tons, entered inwards at
the port of Dover.

NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.
T H E B R EAK W ATER A T CARACCAS.
following, translated from the Caraccas Liberal, of the 18th of January, 1845,
will be read with interest:—“ This work, now being constructed in the harbor of La
Guayra, is not yet finished, but its beneficial results are already felt. Not only do small
coasting vessels, which formerly had to anchor at a distance from the wharf, and discharge
their cargoes by means of lighters, now lie alongside of it, but also vessels of a larger
class, that require greater depth of water, approach near the wharf. On the 15th of Ja­
nuary was seen in La Guayra, for the first time since the conquest, an American schooner
from Charleston, coming up to the wharf, and, by means of planks, unloading all her
cargo, without using lighters, or exposing it to be wet with salt water, and at a great
saving of time and expense, notwithstanding the breakwater has reached but two-thirds
of its length, and what is done is not in the state of perfection that it will be when it is
finished. The advantages which this work is already producing, and will yet produce,
both in foreign and native commerce, are incalculable. There can be no doubt that the
value of the goods which were formerly damaged and lost in the wretched road of La
Guayra, and the expenses that will hereafter be saved, will amount in a very short time
to a much greater sum than the cost of this most important work.
T

he

SEA LIG H T A T BRU STERO RT, PRUSSIA.
The sea light at Brusterort, kingdom of Prussia, on the Baltic, has undergone an im­
proved alteration, in consequence of which, two stationary lights have been formed, oc­
cupying the same place, and being of the same height as the former; each of which,
however, will be visible, in clear weather, at a distance of two and a half German miles,
and within a circle of 101 degrees of the horizon, from W . to N. to N. N. E. Both lan­
terns will be lit, for the first time, in the evening of the 1st of October this year, and
after that will be kept burning from the setting to the rising of the sun. (Dated Berlin,
September 15th, 1844.)




Commercial Regulations.

487

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.
EXPORTS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES ADJOINING T H E U. STA TE S.
T h e following law of the United States, allowing drawbacks upon foreign merchandise
exported in the original packages to Chihuahua, and Santa Fe, in Mexico, and to the
British North American Provinces, adjoining the United States, was passed at the session
of Congress just closed, and approved by the President
DRAWBACK ALLOWED ON GOODS EXPORTED TO THE TERRITORIES ADJOINING THE UNITED STATES.

1. That any imported merchandise which has been entered, and the duties paid or se­
cured according to law, for drawback, may be exported to Chihuahua, in Mexico, or Santa
Fe, in New Mexico, either by the rout of the Arkansas river through Van Buren, or by
the rout of the Red river through Fulton, or by the rout of the Missouri river through
Independence.
3.
That all the merchandise so exported shall be in the original packages as imported,
a true invoice whereof, signed by the exporter, shall be made, to the satisfaction of the
collector, describing accurately each package, with its contents and all the marks upon it,
exclusive of the name of the exporter, the place of destination, and the rout by which it
is to be exported ; all which shall be inscribed thereon. Upon which invoice the collector
shall certify that he is fully convinced the same is true, that the goods are in the original
packages as imported, that they are duly entered for drawback, and to be exported by the
owner, (naming him,) to either of the places aforesaid, (naming it,) and by one of the
aforesaid routes, (naming it.)
3. That upon the arrival of such goods at either of the places in Arkansas or Missouri
above named, they shall be again inspected and compared with the invoice and certificate
aforesaid, by an officer of the United States, who shall, if fully convinced that the several
packages are identical, having remained unbroken and unchanged, also certify on said
invoice the facts, in such form as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe.
4. That upon the arrival of any such goods at Santa Fe or Chihuahua, they, with the
invoice and certificates aforesaid, shall be submitted to the inspection of the Consul of the
United States, or such agent as the President may appoint for that purpose; who, if fully
convinced thereof, shall, in such form as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe,
certify upon said invoice that the goods have arrived there in the original packages as
imported, without change or alteration, and have been exported from the United States
in gdld faith, to be disposed of and consumed in a foreign country.
5. That if the exporter shall give bond, with satisfactory sureties, in thrice the amount
of duties, that the said merchandise by him exported has been delivered at either of the
places aforesaid without the United States, in good faith, to be sold and consumed there,
and shall also produce said invoice, with the regular certificates thereon, the collector
shall thereupon pay to him the usual drawback allowed by law.
6. That the Secretary of the Treasury shall appoint inspectors to reside at each of the
following places, to wit:—Van Buren, Fulton, and Independence, above named, or such
other places in Missouri as the Secretary of the Treasury shall designate, who shall each
have a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars, and make a full report of all the trade that
passes under their inspection, to the Secretary of the treasury, semi-annually, giving an
account of the number of packages, the kind of goods, the value, and the names of the
exporters.
,
7. That any imported merchandise which has been entered, and the duties paid or se­
cured according to law, for drawback, may be exported to the British North American
provinces adjoining the United States; and the port3 of Plattsburgh, in the district of
Champlain ; Burlington, in the district of Vermont; Sackett’s Harbor, Oswego, and Ogdensburgh, in the district of Oswegatchie ; Rochester, in the district of Genesee ; Buffalo
and Erie, in the district of Presqu’isle ; Cleveland, in the district of Cuyahoga; Sandusky,
and Detroit, together with such ports on the sea-board, from which merchandise may now
be exported for the benefit of drawback, are hereby declared ports from whence foreign
goods, wares, and merchandise, on which the import duty has been paid, or secured to be
paid, may be exported to ports in the adjoining British provinces, and to which ports foreign
goods, wares, and merchandise may be transported inland, or by water, form the port of origi­
nal importation, under existing provisions of law, to be thence exported for the benefit of
drawback: Provided, that such other ports situated on the frontiers of the United States, ad­
joining the British North American provinces, as may hereafter be found expedient, may




48 8

Commercial Regulations,

have extended to them the like privileges, on the recommendation of the Secretary of the
treasury, and proclamation duly made by the President of the United States, specially
designating the ports to which the aforesaid privileges are to be extended.
8. That all laws now in force in relation to the allowance of drawback of duties upon
goods imported into the United States and exported therefrom, and in relation to the
conditions and evidence on which such a drawback is to be paid, shall be applicable to
the drawback allowed by this act And, in addition to existing provisions on the subject,
to entitle exporters of goods to the drawback allowed by this act, they shall produce to
the collector of the port from which such goods, wares, and merchandise were exported,
the certificate, under seal of the collector or other chief revenue officer of the port to
which the said goods, wares, and merchandise were exported in the said adjoining prov­
inces : which certificate shall be endorsed upon a duplicate or certified copy of the mani­
fest granted at the time of such exportation, and shall state that the same identical goods
contained in the said manifest had been landed at such foreign port, and duly entered at
the custom-house there, and that the duties imposed by the laws in force at such port
upon the said goods had been paid, or secured to be paid, in full; and the said exporters
shall also produce the affidavit of the master of the vessel in which the said goods were
exported, that the same identical goods specified in the manifest granted at the time
o f such exportation had been carried to the port named in the clearance or manifest, and
had been landed and entered at the custom-house, and that the duties imposed thereon at
the said foreign port had been paid, or secured to be paid; and that the goods referred to
in the certificate of the collector or chief revenue officer of such foreign port herein men­
tioned, were the same identical goods described in the manifest aforesaid, and in the said
affidavit.
9. That no goods, wares, or merchandise, exported according to the provisions of this
act, shall be voluntarily landed or brought into the United States ; and on being so landed
or brought into the United States, they shall be forfeited ; and the same proceeding shall
be had for their condemnation, and the distribution of the proceeds of their sales, as in
other cases of forfeiture of goods illegally imported. And every person concerned in the
voluntary landing or bringing such goods into the United States, shall be liable to a pen­
alty of four hundred dollars.
10. That from the amount of duties upon any goods, wares and merchandise imported
into the United States, and which shall be exported according to the provisions of this
act, there shall be deducted two and a half per centum of such amount, which shall be
retained by the respective collectors for the use of the United States, and the residue only
shall be the drawback to be paid to the exporters of such goods, wares, and merchandise.
11. That the Secretary of the treasury is hereby fully authorized to prescribe such
rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States, as
may
deem necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act, and to prevent the illegal
re-importation of any goods, wares or merchandise which shall have been exported as
herein provided ; and that all acts, or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this
act be, and the same is hereby repealed.

IN LA N D N A VIG ATIO N O F T H E UNITED STATES.
The following act of the United States extending the jurisdiction of the District Courts
to certain cases upon the lakes and navigable waters connecting the same, was passed at
the last session of Congress, and approved by the President, February 26th, 1845.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the United States o f America
in Congress assembled, That the district courts of the United States shall have, possess and
exercise the same jurisdiction in matters of contract and tort arising in, upon, or concern­
ing steamboats and other vessels of twenty tons burden and upwards, enrolled and licensed
in the coasting trade, and at the time employed in the business of commerce and navi­
gation between ports and places in different states and territories upon the lakes and
navigable waters connecting said lakes, as is now possessed and exercised by the said
courts in cases of the like steamboats employed and other vessels employed in navigation
and commerce upon the high seas or tide-waters within the admiralty and maritime ju­
risdiction of the United States ; and in all suits brought in such courts in all such matters
of contract or tort, the remedies, and the forms of process, and the modes of proceeding,
shall be the same as are or may be used by such courts in cases of admiralty and maritime
jurisdiction; and the maritime law of the United States, so far as the same is or may be
applicable thereto, shall constitute the rule of decision in such suits, in the same manner,




Commercial Regulations.

4 89
»
and to the same extent, and with the same equities as it now does in cases of admiralty
and maritime jurisdiction ; saving, however, to the parties the right of trial by jury of all
facts put in issue in such suits, where either party shall require it; and saving, also, to
the parties the right of a concurrent remedy at common law, where it is competent to
give it, and any concurrent remedy which may be given by the state laws where such
steamer or other vessel is employed in such business of commerce and navigation.

COM M ERCIAL IN TERCOURSE W IT H M IGNELON A N D ST. PIERRE.
The following act regulating commercial intercourse with the Islands of Mignelon and
St. Pierre, was passed at the last session of Congress, and approved by the President,
March 3d, 1845.
That all French vessels coming directly from the islands of Mignelon and St. Pierre,
either in ballast or laden with articles the growth or manufacture of either of said islands,
and which are premitted to be exported therefrom in American vessels, may be admitted
into the ports of the United States on payment of no higher duties on tonnage, or on their
cargoes aforesaid, than are imposed on American vessels, and on like cargoes imported
in American vessels: Provided, that this act shall not take effect until the President of
the United States shall have received satisfactory information that similar privileges have
been allowed to American vessels and their cargoes at said islands by the government of
France, and shall have made proclamation accordingly; and whenever said privileges
shall have been revoked or annulled, the President is hereby authorized, by proclamation,
to suspend the operations of this act.

QUEBEC M ERCH AN TS’ TA R IFF,
WHEN NO AGREEMENT EXISTS TO THE CONTRARY.

For selling consignments, from ports or places out of the Canadas, without
guarantee,........................................................................................................... 5 per cent
For selling consignments, in ports or places in the Canadas, without guarantee,
«
For delcredere, or guarantee of debts,................................................................. 2* “
For purchasing, shipping, and forwarding merchandise to ports or places out
of the Canadas,.................................................................................................. 5
«
For purchasing, shipping, and forwarding merchandise to ports or places in
the Canadas, when in funds,............................................................................
Otherwise,............................................................ ................................................. 5
“
For purchasing bills of exchange, stocks, or specie, with funds in hand,.......
i “
For purchasing bills of exchange, stocks, or specie, taking reimbursements
by bills or drafts,........................................................... .................................... i* “
For endorsing bills of exchange,....................................................*.................... 2J «
For collecting debts, and remitting the proceeds without endorsement of bills, 5
“
For receiving and remitting bank dividends,..................................................... 1
“
“
For selling or purchasing vessels,........................................................................ 5
For chartering ships,............................................................................................. 2J «
For collecting or procuring freight, and on ships’ disbursements,................... 5
“
For effecting insurance against loss by fire, on amount of premium,............. 5
“
For adjusting losses generally with insurance companies, on amount reco­
vered,............................................................................... •................................. 2i «
For receiving and paying moneys, from which no other commission is derived, 1
“
For receiving and forwarding goods from abroad, according to the bulk of
each package, and the trouble attending it, per package,............................. 6d. a 2s. 6d.
And on the amount of the responsibilities incurred by such agency,.............. 2J per ct.
On sale by auction, for the benefit of the underwriters, exclusive of the auc­
tioneer’s charge,................................................................................................. 5
“
N. B.—The above commissions to be exclusive of storage, brokerage, and every other
charge actually incurred or disbursed.
The risk of loss by fire, unless insurance be ordered, and of robbery, theft, and other
unavoidable occurrences, if the usual care be taken to secure the property, is in all cases
to be borne by the proprietor of the goods.
On all commissions withdrawn, 2 } per cent commission to be charged.




/

Mercantile Miscellanies .

490

MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.
EXTEN SIO N OF AM ERIC AN COMMERCE.
promoting the objects of our publication by adverting to a recent movement fo r
extending American commercial intercourse, we have the additional satisfaction of render­
ing justice to a worthy legislator— the representative of the Greene and Columbia district
of the State of New York.
The late appointment of a consul to Japan, renders it appropriate now to refer particu­
larly to the condition of that empire; and we could not present facts in a better form than
that in which they were submitted to Congress, by the Hon. Z a d o k P r a t t , when ineffec­
tually endeavoring to procure a liberal appropriation with Japan and Corea.
After premising that “ it is important to the general interests of the United States that
steady and persevering efforts should be made for the extension of American commerce,
connected as that commerce is with the agriculture and manufactures of our country.”
Col. P r a t t , in a memorandum submitted to the House of Representatives on the 15th o f
February, remarked that—
“ The importance of intercourse with the Japanese empire has led to various attempts,
by different nations, at sundry periods within the last three hundred years. Though all
these attempts, excepting the Dutch, have proved abortive, that is not an adequate reason
for our refraining from making a vigorous effort now.
“ The Chinese Empire, long barricaded against commercial intercourse or diplomatic
relations with other countries, is now measurably thrown open for the enterprise of
Americans, as among * the most favored nations,’ and there is much reason for believing
that a judicious embassy, characterized by the justice which should ever sway our gov­
ernment, will succeed in establishing intercourse with Japan and Corea that may be
largely beneficial to the American people.
“ Though Japan and Corea are much less extensive and populous than China, (with
which we have just concluded an advantageous treaty,) both countries are well worthy of at­
tention from the American people. Debarred from intercourse with Japan, the remainder
of the world has paid less attention to that empire than its character may justly demand.
With a population exceeding fifty millions, (about thrice as numerous as the whole popu­
lation of the United States,) the Japanese empire combines a degree of civilization and
power that may well render it respectable and formidable among the nations of the earth.
That civilization, even judging from our imperfect knowledge concerning it, places Japan
in advance of several countries with which our government now maintains diplomatic
and commercial relations. The industry of the Japanese is said to be comparable with
that of the Chinese; and many of the leading arts of useful life are practised by them
with a degree of success unsurpassed in some of the European nations with which we
are on terms of political intercourse. Though nearly all foreign trade is forbidden, the
internal commerce of Japan (the trade between its large cities and populous provinces) is
very extensive ; the intercourse between the great markets and all sections of the empire
being facilitated by numerous coasting vessels and well conditioned roads.
“ The power of the government may be estimated by the statement that the army
ordinarily consists of about a hundred thousand infantry and twenty thousand cavalry,
which force is increased in warfare to more than four hundred thousand men. And as
for agriculture, where is there in the world a country more industriously cultivated ? The
few travellers who have ever * penetrated the interior,’ concur in stating that the soil of
Japan, though not naturally fertile, has been so much improved as to be rendered ex­
tremely productive ; ‘ and the face of the country, even on the mountain sides, (which
are formed into terraces, as in some parts of Italy and Persia,) is so diligently cultivated,
that it would be difficult to find in the country a single nook of unfilled land, even the
dry summits of the mountains.’ Jeddo, the chief town of the empire, is reputed to be
one of the largest cities in the world. Little as we know of Japan, in comparison with
our knowledge of other countries, we know enough of it to render us desirous of a closer
acquaintance.
“ Corea also possesses a large population— estimated at fifteen millions; and assimi­
lates in character to the Chinese empire, with which it is slightly connected in political
relations. The Coreans and Chinese, it may be added, are now nearly the only foreignW

h il e




Mercantile Miscellanies.

491

era with whom the Japanese allow any business intercourse, however limited. Though
we cannot expect anything like equal advantages from intercourse with Corea, it seems
desirable to include that country along with Japan in the projected mission, as negotia­
tions with both countries may be despatched with little additional expense by the same
ambassador.
“ With the successful issue of the late mission to the Chinese empire, we may well
feel encouraged to attempt an extension of our commercial intercourse with other nations
nearly similarly situated ; and where can we now find a better field for enterprise than
is furnished by the countries included in the proposed mission—the empire of Japan and
the kingdom of Corea, with their aggregate population of sixty or seventy millions ?
“ The missions should be placed on a liberal basis. ‘ The day and the hour" have now
arrived for turning the enterprise of our merchants and seamen into the harbors and
markets of these long-secluded countries. Another year should not elapse before the
American people may be able to rejoice in the knowledge that the ‘ star-spangled banner*
is recognized as an ample passport and protection for all of our enterprising countrymen,
who may be engaged in extending American commerce into the countries to which it is
now proposed to despatch suitable diplomatic and commercial agents on behalf of our
government.”

CO U N TERFEIT GOLD SOVEREIGNS.
Messrs. Beebe & Parshall, brokers, of Wall-street, New York, sent a sovereign to R.
M. Patterson, Esq., the superintendent of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, for
examination, which proves to be a counterfeit, and a very dangerous one, in consequence
of the difficulty of its detection. He says:—
“ It bears the head of George IV., and the date 1824. It is of the full legal weight—
123.3 grains. It has the proper color and texture, not only at the surface, but in the
interior, as exhibited on cutting. It has the true diameter ; and, though there is some
excess in thickness, it is scarcely such as to attract attention. Its mechanical execution
is so perfect, as to elude detection by an ordinary observer, even with the aid of a glass.
There is, in fact, but one test, short of actual assay, by which it can be distinguished from
the genuine piece; and it is, the trial by specific gravity. A genuine sovereign would
show a specific gravity varying from 17.50 to 17.90. The piece in question gives but
1G.22. On assay, it was found to be composed as follows:—
Gold,........................................................................................
803-1000ths.
Silver,................
122-1000ths.
Copper,...................................................................................
72-1000ths.
“ The value of the piece is $ 4 26. The genuine sovereign yields, very uniformly,
9154 thousandths of gold, and is worth from $ 4 83 to $ 4 86, according to weight. The
profit to the maker, or loss to the holder of the false coin, is consequently 50 to 60 cents
per piece, or 13 to 14 per cent Counterfeiters are not usually content with such moderate
gain; and it could only be made available by an operation on a large scale. There would
seem, therefore, reason to apprehend that many such counterfeits have been made, and
put in circulation. This is, however, the first that has come under our notice at the mint.”

M A Y SVILLE HEM P M ARK ET.
Some idea of the importance of the little city of Maysville, Ky., as a business point,
may be obtained from the fact that it is the most extensive hemp market in the Union.
“ W e have ascertained,” says the Eagle, “ at some trouble, the number of tons of hemp ar­
rived at and sold in this market, or shipped to eastern ports on producer’s account, during
the months of January, February, and March. The total amount for that period is a
fraction over 1,699 tons, or in round numbers 1,700 tons, of which 40 were water-rotted.
At $60 per ton, which we have found upon an accurate calculation to be the average
price during that time, at contract, as well as at ordinary sale, the sum total is presented
of one hundred and two thousand dollars ; most of which amount, in actual cash, has
been disbursed in Maysville, by our own manufacturers, or by agents of other manufac­
turing houses at a distance, and commission merchants.”




Mercantile M iscellanies.

4 92

CURIOSITIES OF TR A D E .
It is, says the Philadelphia American, a very generally admitted fact, that Gulf of
Mexico risks are taken by our Insurance Offices at inadequate premiums. There has
lately come to our knowledge the history of a successful speculation upon this moderation
of the officers. A house in New York having a large quantity of merchandise, largely
and hopelessly depreciated in value, shipped and re-shipped the goods between that port
and New Orleans, well covered, adding at each trip the amount of the successive pre­
miums. When this had reached about thirty per cent, the Insurance Company paid for
the property. Will some of our casuists say if this was altogether fair?
The following story is told of a comb factory at Meriden, Connecticut:—“ The propri­
etors one day put up a quantity of combs, of the first and second qualities, with Ameri­
can labels, and some of the third quality with English labels, and sent the whole to one
of their customers in New York. A gentleman stepped into the store where they were
for sale, and after examining the different qualities for some time, took up those with the
English label, and said, ‘ Well, the English do make the best article after all.’ ”

FIRST A R R IV A L OF SUGAR FROM T H E U N ITED STATES.
The Liverpool (Eng.) Times says:— “ On Sunday last, the American ship Franconia
arrived in this port, bringing as part of her cargo twelve hogsheads of Louisiana sugar.
This is the first arrival of American grown sugar in this country, but we suspect that it
is only the beginning of a trade which will, in a few years, become a very considerable
one, if the new sugar duties of Sir Robert Peel should pass in their present form. The
sugar received by the Franconia must necessarily have been shipped before anything was
known or suspected of the reduction of duties now proposed; and must, therefore, have
been sent here for the purpose of ascertaining whether they could be imported with profit
at a duty of 36s. per c w t ; so that, if there was any chance, whatever, of their succeed­
ing under such a duty, they cannot fail to pay handsomely, now that the duty is reduced
to 24s. per cwt. W e feel no doubt that they will pay if they are at all well selected; for
on Saturday last we saw samples of two other expected lots of American sugar, both of
which had been examined by a sugar broker, who states that they will leave a handsome
profit— at least 10 per cent—in this country, even if the price of sugar should fall to the
full extent of the duty repealed. The prices, therefore, are no obstacle.”

M IN ERA L RESOURCES OF A LA BAM A.
The mineral resources in Alabama are of great variety and abundance, but as yet un­
developed. From the report of the committee on agriculture, at the late session of the
legislature, we learn that there are five principal, and several other minor mines of gold
and silver in Randolph county, producing about $125,000 annually, and affording em­
ployment to 300 or 500 persons. In the same county, are inexhaustible beds of iron ore,
which does not lose 25 per cent in smelting. Tallapoosa, too, is rich in gold and silver
mines, and they afford employment to several hundred hands. Goldville is supported by
one mine. Gold, too, has been found in Coosa, Talladega, and Chambers. There are
iron foundries in Benton and Talladega. No doubt, were this rich mineral region ex­
amined by a scientific person, many valuable discoveries might be made. In Blount,
nitre is found in abundance. This side of Tuscaloosa, coal is found in immense quanti­
ties, and in many other places. In Clarke, salt can be manufactured at or near Jackson.
Iron ore, marble, granite, limestone, etc., are also found in this county. Lead ore, in
large quantities, and of excellent quality, is found in the bed of the Tennessee, on the
Muscle Shoals; and all these, and others, exist in many other sections of the state.




The Book Trade.

493

T H E BOOK T R A D E .
1.— Jin Elementary Treatise on M ineralogy, com prising an Introduction to the Science. By W il l ia m
P h il l i p s , F. L. S., etc., etc., Honorary Member o f the Cambridge and Yorkshire Philosophical Soci­
eties. Fifth edition, from the fourth London edition, by R o b e r t A l l a n ; containing the Latest Disco­
veries in American and Foreign Mineralogy. W ith Numerous Additions to the Introduction. By
F r a n c is A l g e r , Member o f the American Academy o f Arts and Sciences ; o f the National Institute
for the Promotion o f Science, etc., etc. Boston: W illiam D. Ticknor &. Co.
This elementary treatise on mineralogy has passed through five editions in England, where we know,
from good authority, that it is regarded as the best and most useful treatise in the language. It em­
braces, o f course, the entire labors o f Mr. Phillips ; and the additions made to it by Mr. Alger, the American
editor, are neither few in number, nor small in quantity. The fact is, Mr. Alger is not a mere “ scissors ancl
paste” book-maker, but a learned and laborious scholar, as will be readily inferred, even by those who are
not acquainted with the fact, (as we are,) from a careful examination o f the numerous and vnluable ad­
ditions which he has made to it, touching the mineralogical resources o f our own country. T he matter
introduced by Mr. Alger exceeds three hundred pages. It comprises over one hundred additional figures
in the introduction and the descriptive part; with the new species, foreign and American, brought into
notice since the date o f the last edition, and the addition o f many foreign, as well as all the important
American localities. The principal authorities consulted by Mr. A ., in making the additions, have been
the State reports by Professors Hitchcock, Beck, Emmon3, Shepherd, Rogers, Drs. Troost, Jackson, and
Ilaughton. The localities in Nova Scotia are from the personal observations o f Mr. Alger and Dr. Jackson.
It forms a beautifully printed volume, o f nearly 700 octavo pages, in the best style o f Boston typography.
2.—D ictionary o f Practical M edicine; com prising General Pathology, the N ature and Treatment o f
D iseases, Morbid Structures, <Sc. By J a m e s C o p l a n d , M. D., F. R. S. Edited, with Additions, by
C h a r l e s A . L e e , M. D. 8 vo . N ew Y o rk : Harper &. Brothers.
Four numbers, (144 pages each,) o f this new medical dictionary have already been published. It will
be completed in about twenty numbers, and form four octavo volumes, o f more than 600 pages each. W e
shall notice the work as it progresses; but, in the meantime, w e cannot perhaps render a more acceptable
service to the enterprising publishers and the public, than to annex the introductory notice o f the Ameri­
can editor:—
“ Regarding this work as decidedly the leading medical production o f the age, both as regards the phi­
losophy it inculcates, the vast accumulation o f facts it presents, as well ns the systematic order in which
they are arranged, the editor will not feel himself justified in altering, in the slightest degree, the original
text. He therefore pledges himself to preserve the different articles in their integrity, neither mutilating
by omissions, nor qualifying by alterations and modifications. Indeed, so highly elaborated and finished
are the different articles, that they form very complete monographs on the subjects o f which they treat;
and no one could expect, unless prompted by a high degree o f arrogance and self-conceit, to be able to
improve upon the labors o f the accomplished author. But it is to be borne in mind, at the same time, that,
as medicine is a rapidly progressive science, additions are constantly being made to our knowledge, in its
various departments. Moreover, the medical literature o f our country is but little known across the
Atlantic, and the works o f American physicians have heretofore not perhaps received that degree o f at­
tention abroad, to which they are justly entitled. These omissions and deficiencies, so far as they exist,
it is the design o f the publisher to have supplied; and it will, therefore, be the aim o f the editor to keep
this object especially in view. It is a fact also universally acknowledged, that, in consequence o f the di­
versified range o f our climate, and its extreme vicissitudes, w e have diseases which are not only unknown
to the milder and more uniform climate o f Great Britain, as yellow fever, cholera infantum, etc., but
many o f our diseases assume a type and malignancy never witnessed in that country; and hence they
require important modifications with regard to their treatment. These facts will not be lost sight o f in
editing the work ; and in whatever additions may be made, practical utility will be constantly kept in
view. Such additions will be included in brackets [
3.— Researches on Scrofulous D iseases. By J. G- A . L u g o l . Translated from the French. By A .
S id n e y D o a n e , M. D . W ith an Appendix, comprising Formulae for the Treatment o f Scrofula. New
Y ork : J. S. Redfield.
W e are highly gratified with Dr. Doane’s labor, in presenting us this volume in our ow n AmericanaSaxon tongue; and only wish that he hod carried out his system, by giving us the quantities prescribed in
the formulae o f his Appendix— not in the semi-barbaric contractions, but in plain words and figures. From
a variety o f observations, w e have no doubt that mistakes o f a very mischievous character and tendency
are often made by the boys in drug stores, through an involuntary misapprehension o f the old-fashioned and
absurd medical hieroglyphics. A short time since, w e were standing in a chemical shop, and a prescription
was offered to one o f the attendants o f mature age, w ho refused to put up the mixture, on account o f the
indistinctness o f the pencil-marks; but, turning round, he asked us i f we recollected the quantities intend­
ed. W e satisfied him on that point, and the medicine was sent; but, had the prescription been offered to
one o f the juniors, in his thoughtlessness, he would probably have put up the materia in deadly proportions.
W e advise all physicians to call things by their right names—grain, scruple, dram, one, four, seven, ten ;
and leave all cabalism with the impostors o f the dark ages. However, Dr. Lugol’s Researches are the
result o f long and extensive observation and medical practice, and are as rational as doubtless they are
accurate; and, while w e are indebted to Dr. Doane for his valuable work, we trust not only physicians
but all other persons, will study his beneficial treatise on scrofula.




4 94

The Book Trade ,

4.

— L ife on the Ocean; or, Twenty-Fine Years at Sea ; being the Personal Adventures o f the Author.
By G e o r g e L i t t l e , for many years Captain in the Merchant Service, out o f the Port o f Baltimore, but
now entirely Blind. Boston: W aite, Pierce <$* Co.
This is an interesting volume, detailing the chequered and eonstantly changing events and circum­
stances o f a sailor’s life on the ocean, for the space o f twenty-five years. The period o f his wanderings
was during a memorable epoch in the world’s history. Europe was subjected to successive and continued
revolutions. The nations o f that continent were engaged in a deadly struggle for political existence;
and whi’e the two rival powers, France and England, were each putting forth its mightiest efforts to
secure the controlling influence, our infant republic was reaping a rich and abundant harvest, in sup­
plying the necessities o f the belligerents— thus developing her boundless resources, and laying the foun­
dation o f her naval prowess, which shone so conspicuously in her subsequent conflict with Great Britain.
In many o f the exciting incidents growing out o f these events, the author o f this volume was an acto r;
and a participator, too, in the exposures and sufferings which war inevitably occasions. The full and
apparently faithful view he has given o f nautical life, will more than overbalance whatever errors in com ­
position he has committed. His style, though homely, is graphic, and the volume is calculated to remove
many erroneous and unfavorable impressions which prevail in relation to the character and habits o f seamen.
5.

—A Treatise on the Am erican Law o f Landlord and Tenant, having reference to the Statutory
Provisions and D ecisions o f the several United States, with a Selection o f Precedents. By J o h n
N . T a y l o r , Counsellor at Law . N ew Y o r k : John S. Voorhies.
This, we believe, is the first American work o f any importance on the law o f landlord and tenant. The
learned, but nearly obsolete works o f W oodfall and Comyn, are considered almost useless in this country,
from the fact o f their failing to exhibit a correct view o f the law as it exists, under the influence o f our
republican institutions, reformed by the commercial spirit o f the age, and refined by the intelligence o f our
judiciary. The present work, Mr. Taylor informs us, is intended to supply a want o f daily interest, not only
to the profession, but also to the community. It is a plain, brief summary o f the doctrines o f the common
law, including the later English cases, so far as they are applicable to the United States, with their statutory
alterations and modifications, and the leading decisions in those states where the legal science has been most
cultivated and improved. The work is highly recommended by some o f our leading jurists, who are, o f
course, better able to estimate its value than the un-professional editor o f this Magazine.
6.

________ A H istory o f the Society o f F rien d s: Compiled fro m its Standard Records, and other Authentic
Sources. By W i l l ia m R. W a g s t a f f , M. D. Part 1. N ew Y o r k : W iley &. Putnam.
Although Friends, says the author o f this volume, have many ably written records o f the rise and progress
o f their society, yet they are, as is well known, in a great measure unadapted to general reading, either
from their quaintness, or their verbosity o f style. This, he adds, accounts for the acknowledged ignorance
o f the society as to its history, and especially the youth, who deem it a severe task, instead o f a pleasure,
to ponder over its pages, where they might with advantage reflect on the character and lives o f those men,
who, though they did not dazzle the eyes o f mankind with any brilliant schemes o f worldly ambition, en­
nobled themselves and the human family by raising and supporting the standard o f Christianity within, as
the bulwark o f pure religion. Dr. W ., during the hours o f relaxation from his profession, has, with com ­
mendable zeal, collected and digested the materials necessary for such a work ; and, in the volume before
us, given them in a clear and comprehensive form. The present part is devoted to transactions on the
other side o f the Atlantic. A second part, containing a full account o f the trials and privations o f the
society in the Western world, is soon to appear.
7.

— Human M agnetism : its Claims to Dispassionate Inquiry. B ein g an Attempt to show the Utility
o f its Application f o r the R elief o f Human Suffering. By W . N ew n iiam , Esq., M. R. S. L . New
Y o r k : W iley & Putnam.
So far as we are capable o f judging, this volume appears to contain a rational defence o f human mag­
netism, particularly in its application for the relief o f physical suffering. The introduction is quite elabo­
rate, and contains, besides, thirteen chapters, each devoted to a particular branch o f the subject. The
second chapter goes to show that magnetism is not a satanic agency, nor supernatural. The opposition o f
medical men, generally, to the doctrine o f magnetism, is considered in one chapter, and its applicability
to the relief o f medical and surgical disease in another. W e go for examining everything that prefers a
claim upon human investigation; and would not, therefore, lightly reject a subject that has elicited the
attention o f so many wise and good men. “ Prove all things—hold fast that which is good,” is as appli­
cable to magnetism, as to politics or religion.
8.

— The R ec r u it; a Compilation o f E xercises and Movements o f Infantry, L ig h t Infantry, and Riflemen^ according to the L a test Improvements. By Captain J o h n T . C a ir n s . New York : E. Walker.
W e never performed but one half day’s “ military duty, as the law directs,” in our life ; and we have
no wish to do another. W e have no taste, talent, or inclination for “ arms
and our judgment on the
merits o f a manual o f this description is, therefore, not worth a straw. W e are, moreover, opposed to the
whole system o f fighting, and consider it at once wicked and ridiculous—a conclusive evidence o f that
depravity which the founder o f Christianity came to save men from. A “ Christian” soldier, appears to
ns a perfect anomaly. T o call such a one an infidel, would be far more charitable than to deal out the
stigma upon the whole race o f deists, from Hume down to Parker.




The Book Trade ,

495

9.

—A Treatise upon the D iseases and H ygiene o f the Organs o f the Voice. B y C o l o m b a t D e
L ’ I s k r e , M . D., etc., etc. Translated by J. F. W . L a n e , M . D. B oston : Otis, Broaders &c Co.
T h e favorable and unique situation w h ich the author o f this treatise occupied for many years, as
founder and director o f the Orthophonic Institution, at Paris, afforded him such means o f observation
upon this class o f affections, as have fallen to the lot o f np other person. He received from the Royal
A cadem y o f Sciences the prize o f five thousand francs, for his works upon the mechanism o f pronun­
ciation, and his success in the treatment o f errors o f speech, and particularly that o f stuttering. It
describes the physiology and diseases o f the organs o f the voice, the medical treatment o f the more
com mon o f these affections, and the conditions necessary to preserve their health. Such points as
related strictly to surgical details, the translator has omitted, in order to render them more compact,
and practically useful to the general reader.
10. — The Farmers' and Em igrants' H and-B ook; being a Full and Complete Guide f o r the Farmer and
the E m igran t; com prising the clearing o f Forest and Prairie I.and, Gardening, Farming, gene­
rally, Tannery, Cookery, and the Prevention and Cure o f D iseases. With Copious H ints, Recipes,
and Tables. B y J o s ia h T . M a r s h a l l , author o f “ The Emigrant’s True Guide.” New Y o rk : D.
Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton.
This volume, as will be seen by the title-page, quoted in full, embraces a wide range o f subjects. It
appears to be a luminous and ample directory and guide for the emigrant from the European countries
and from the eastern states, about to remove and settle in the far w e st; and is well calculated, so far
as we can judge, to enable them to meet the numberless trials and disadvantages that must inevitably fall
in their way without the information furnished in the present volume. Indeed we, who have no idea o f
leaving our home in the east, find much in it to interest and instruct us in matters o f which we were ignorant.
11. — The Goldmaker's Village. Translated from the German o f H. Z schokke . New Y o rk : D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton.
This forms another o f the admirable series o f books in course o f publication, under the general title of
“ Tales for the People, and their Children.” T he publishers state, in a note appended, that this narrative
o f the “ Goldmaker’ s Village” is the first o f “ a series o f choice biographical and scenic works, designed
for household instruction and improvement.” It is written in the same spirit, and with equal truthfulness
and veracity, as the narratives included in that popular volume, published some months since— “ Incidents
o f Social Life amid the European Alps.”
12. — H istory o f Europe, fro m the Commencement o f the French Revolution, in 1789, to the Restoration
o f the Bourbons, in 1815. B y A r c h ib a l d A l is o n , F. R. S. E . Abridged from the last London edi­
tion. B y E d w a r d S. G o u l d . N ew Y o r k : A . S. Barnes &, Co.
This is the third edition o f Mr. Gould’s admirable abridgment o f Alison. Our opinion o f its character
was expressed on its first appearance, in the pages o f this Magazine. It is fast becoming a text-book in
our colleges, academies, and other seminaries o f learning, for which it is well adapted, by the addition o f
numerous questions, & c. The unequivocal recommendations which have been awarded to Mr. Gould’ s
abridgment, by such men as Chancellor Kent, Judge Story, Dr. Matthews, late Chancellor o f the Univer­
sity o f N ew Y ork, and other eminent authorities, renders anything that we might say in its favor a work
o f supererogation.
13. —A Plain System o f E locution; or. Logical and M usical Reading and Declamation, with E xercises
in P rose and Verse, etc. By G. V a n d e n h o f f . New Y o rk : C. Shepherd.
This is the second edition o f this work, considerably enlarged. It has before been noticed in this Ma­
gazine. The exercises are distinctly marked for the guidance o f the ear and voice o f the pupil; and there
is moreover added an appendix, containing a copious practice in oratorical, poetical, and dramatic reading
and recitation. It is designed not only for classes, and the use o f schools, but for private pupils ; and is
highly recommended by teachers, and several leading Journals. It is not remarkably well printed, al­
though in large and distinct type.
1 4 . —A n E ssa y on the Philosophy o f Medical Science. By E l is h a B a r t l e t t , M. D., Professor o f the
Theory and Practice o f Medicine in the University o f Maryland. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard.
From the examination we have been able to bestow on this essay o f the philosophy o f medical science,
w e are satisfied that it is the production o f an attentive student, who has drunk deeply o f the philosophy
o f his profession from an ardent devotion to it. It differs widely from any treatise o f the kind that has
fallen under our observation, and has more originality than we usually meet with in professional works.
It is, moreover, written in a clear and beautiful style, and may be read with profit and pleasure by all who
wish to learn something valuable concerning the philosophy o f a subject o f so much importance to the race.
15.

— H arper's Family Library, Mo. 172. Voyages Round the World, fro m the D eath o f Captain Cook
to the Present T im e; including Remarks on the Social Condition o f the Inhabitants o f the Recently
D iscovered Countries, their Progress in the A rts, and more especially their Advancement in R eligious
Knowledge. New Y ork : Harper&. Brothers.
The present volume, forming the 172d number o f the Family Library, and a continuation o f the 23st
volume o f the Edinburgh Cabinet Library, or the 82d number o f the Family, furnishes the reader with
a narrative o f the various voyages round the world, prior to the death o f the celebrated Captain Cook.
It commences with Portloch and Dixon, and closes with the voyages o f Mergen, W ilson, Belcher, and
Ross. Although an outline history o f the most interesting voyages o f discovery, it presents a comprehen­

sive view o f the subjects embraced.




The Book Trade.

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16. — W right's “ Practical Grammar o f the E n glish L a n g u a g e ;” “ H ours o f Idleness Improved, or
Tete-a-Tete Conversation on Language and Belles L ettres
and “ Philosophical Lectures on L a n ­
g u a g e ” N ew York : Barnard & Co.
A n examination o f these useful and interesting works on the structure o f our language, induces us to
unite in the numerous and highly respectable plaudits conferred on their merits, by the most distinguished
linguists on both sides o f the Atlantic. W e have no hesitation in commending these works to all persons
desirous o f obtaining a critical and philosophical knowledge o f the peculiarities of the English language.
17. — H om e on the Psalms. N ew York : Robert Carter.
A new, beautiful, and cheap edition o f a well known standard work, that has been read and admired
by the wise and good men o f all religious sects. T he chief peculiarity o f the present edition is an elabo­
rate and eloquent introduction, by the late Edward Irving, the celebrated minister o f the Caledonian Church
n London. It forms an octavo volume o f nearly six hundred pages, and is afforded at $1 50.
18. — Library o f American Biography. Conducted by J a r e d S p a r k s . Second Series. V ol. 5. Boston :
Charles C. Little and James Brown.
T he fifth volume o f this admirable collection o f biographical sketches o f eminent Americans, embraces
the lives o f Count Rumford, Zebulun Montgomery Pike, and Samuel Gaston. The memoir o f Benjamin
Thompson, Count o f Rumford, occupies more than one-half the volume, and was prepared by James
Renwick, L L . D. It appears to be a concise, and at the same time comprehensive narrative, presenting
all the most prominent events and circumstances in the life o f that remarkabe man.
19. — Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural Institution, in a Correspondence between the R ev.
Richard Fuller, o f S. C., and R ev. Francis Wayland, o f R . I. N ew Y o r k : Lewis Colby.
This little volume contains the correspondence on the subject o f slavery which took place between Drs.
Fuller and W ayland. It has been revised by the authors, and a preface by Dr. W ayland appears, which
has the sanction o f Dr. Fuller.
20. — The Governmental In stru cto r; or, A B r ie f and Comprehensive View o f the Government o f the
United States, and o f the State Governments, in E a sy Lessons. By J. B. S h u r t l e f f . N ew Y o rk :
Collins, Brother Sc Co.
T he title sufficiently explains the object o f this little manual. It is designed for the use o f schools, but
the information it contains should be understood by every citizen in our republic. The volume is neatly
printed, and the statements in regard to the rights, duties, etc., o f the people, presented in a clear and
concise form.
21. — Keeping H ouse and H ousekeeping. A Story o f D om estic L ife . Edited by Mrs. S a r a h J. H a l e .
N ew Y o r k : Harper Sc Brothers.
A tale o f domestic life, inculcating in the author’ s happiest vein those moral and social qualities which
have ever been exemplified in her own experience o f a well regulated and happy home. Mrs. Hale is not
an elegant writer, but the various productions o f her pen are marked for their good sense, and generally
correct views.
22. — Alnwick Castle, with other Poems. By F i t z -G r e e n e H a l l e c k . N ew Y o rk : Harper & Brothers.
A new and beautiful edition o f the poems o f one o f whom it is too late in the day for us to offer a
single remark. The volume contains eighteen pieces. W e only regret that Mr. Halleck has not written
and published m ore; as everything he has written is a gem in our American literature.
23. — Isabel; or, The Trials o f the H eart. A Tale f o r the Young. In Two Paris. N ew Y ork : Har­
per Sc Brothers.
W e have in this little volume a narrative o f the daily life of one whose career was unmarked by ro­
mantic incidents or unusual adventures, and w ho pursued “ the even tenor o f her w ay” through those
ordinary and seemingly insignificant trials, the endurance o f which, nevertheless, often tests our faith and
patience to the utmost. It is, however, an interesting and instructive book, that will afford amusement
and instruction to the thousands similarly situated in life.
24. — The Private Purse, and other Tales. By Mrs. S. C. H a l l . N ew Y o r k : C. S. Francis Sc Co.
A n excellent volume, comprising one o f the series o f “ Francis Sc Co.’s Little Library, for Young Persons
o f Different Ages.” It may be read with profit and delight, not only by “ young persons,” but persons
more advanced in life, occupying any o f its social relations.
BOOKS IN PAMPHLET FORM, PUBLISHED BY HARPER AND BROTHERS, SINCE OUR LAST.
H arper's Pocket Edition o f Select H ovels, without Abridgement, Nos. 5,t 6, 7 ; containing Corse D e
L e o n ; or, The Brigand. By G. P. R. J a m e s , Esq. T w o volumes in one.— The Ancient Regime, a
Tale. By G. P. R. J a m e s , Esq. T w o volumes in o n e ; and The M an-at-A rm s; or, H en ry de C'erons.
By G. P. R. J a m e s , Esq. [These volumes contain about 400 pages, 18m©., each, and are sold at 25 cents
per volume.] St. Patrick's E ve. By C h a r l e s L e v e r . 8 v o ., pp. 38, price 6 cents.— N ew Orleans as
I Found It. By H. D e d i m u s . 8 vo ., pp. 125, price 25 cents. Also, N o s. 50 and 51 L ibrary o f Select
N ovels, embracing the Gambler's W ife, a N ovel, by the author o f the “ Young Prima Donna,” etc.,
pp. 154; and Veronica, or the Free Court o f Aaran, translated from the German o f Z s c h o k k e , by the
author o f “ Giafar A1 Barmeki,” pp. I l l —25 cents each.