Full text of The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review : October 1842, Vol. VII, No. IV

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MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE.
O C T O B E R ,

1842.

A rt . I.—THE COM MERCIAL HISTORY OF FRANCE.

III.
NECKER AND H IS ADM IN ISTRATION .

T h e history o f nations as commercial associations, has not yet become
sufficiently extended to make room for a full deduction o f those great
fundamental truths on which the system o f trade is based. Economists
have supported their theories by the supposition o f axioms and the illus­
tration o f analogies; statesmen have based their schemes on temporal
policy or local convenience: but the truths which the theorist has often
laid down, the measures which the statesman has often effected, have as
yet been unable to obtain the sanction which a rule must possess which is
drawn from an accurate observation o f the whole phenomena which ac­
company it. The details o f the commercial system o f the civilized world
are as yet too imperfect to allow o f their safe generalization.
O f the
trading nations o f antiquity, there are none whose history as a commercial
people has come down to us ; and o f the two chief republics o f the middle
ages, Venice and Holland, we know but little else than that when their
trade was unshackled by the restrictions o f the municipal authorities, their
wealth was great and their immunities splendid ; that when the fetters o f a
protective or a retaliatory tariff were placed around their limbs, both their
wealth and their immunities vanished. The great trading nations o f our
own era have not yet completed their c y c le ; the vicissitudes o f heat and
cold, o f frost and fire, they have not yet fully experienced; and the ma­
terial which we gather from their history must be partial and imperfect.
The time is still to come when the whole revolution shall be complete, and
when by the experience o f seed-time and harvest, o f decay and renewal,
we can exhibit those cardinal laws which govern the universe, in the com .
plication o f its intestine machinery, as well as in the simplicity o f its su­
perficial structure.
It may be a great while before the observations o f the political astrono­
mer will be complete enough to enable him to detect the code that regulates
that great economy to which his attention is directed. Centuries may pass

VOL. vix.— no. iv.




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before tne more obvious circles o f the system are mapped down, and even
then how infinite, how grand in their operations, and yet how exquisite in
their detail, w ill be the courses o f those inferior orbs which day after day
will burst on his astonished vision! That there are certain vast physical
laws which regulate men when grouped in masses, as they do men when
separated in individuals— which prescribe the birth and watch over the
infancy and guide the manhood o f nations, as they do those o f the men
who compose them— the man who observes the surprising minuteness with
which the harmony o f the universe is preserved, can have little occasion
to doubt. The silent but resistless influence o f gravitation bears with pro­
portional power on the mountain and on the sand that trickles down its
flank. That supreme all-regulating power which adjusts the equilibrium
o f the atmosphere so delicately that it can buoy up the wings o f the hugest
eagle, while it feeds the lungs o f the weakest child, can be with equal
justice supposed to govern with similar precision the influences which act
upon those momentous systems in which mankind have been, since their
origin, divided.
The material phenomena by which our eye may be
assisted, are still but scanty and partial; but feeble as they are, they join
in and are reconcilable with the supposition, that the same severity o f law
which adjusts the fate o f man when in isolation, must determine the destiny
o f men when grouped into nations.
W e have travelled from our path in illustrating a position with which
we set out, in opening the series o f papers on the commercial history o f
France, o f which the present is a number. That the body corporate is
surrounded by the same atmosphere o f order as the substances which it
contains, is a proposition which ought to require no illustration ; and yet
in the operations o f government and in the details o f trade, there can
scarcely be found a man who acknowledges a supervision so efficient, or
who, i f he acknowledge it, will submit to be guided by its dictates. Prin­
ciples in the political world, true as the justice from which they take their
origin, have been disregarded whenever the spur o f temporary advantage
presses on the flanks o f the ruler. Truths in the commercial world, speak­
ing in a voice to which no man can be deaf, saying that the dealings be­
tween community and community should be as fair and unshackled as the
dealings between merchant and merchant, have been neglected whenever
the thunder o f local interest is heard. Men forget that prosperity can only
be secured by the adherence to those grand principles o f justice on which
the welfare o f the world is based. It vras for the purpose o f illustrating
by the history o f one nation, at least, the existence o f a truth both so pow­
erful and so forgotten, that the present series o f papers was commenced.
The condition o f France under the various aspects o f the feudal system,
o f the Bourbon dynasty, o f the revolutionary tumults, and the imperial
supremacy, affords a study to the political economist o f the most inexhausti­
ble richness. Never in the history o f a single people has each note in the
gamut been so rapidly struck, as in the short period that covered the des­
potism o f the last Bourbons, the excesses o f the revolutionary interregnum,
the dictatorship o f Napoleon, and the constitutional monarchy o f Louis
Philippe. In one generation we witness the king so supreme, that by a
single line a massacre was ordered which destroyed, on the ground o f
religious difference alone, more o f his subjects than were brought to the
block in the whole o f the bloody revolution that followed. In the next
generation we witness the utter prostration o f vital energy in the people




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303

as a mass ; we find that their wealth has been sucked from them, that the
coarse but plentiful food which supports them has been snatched away
and concentrated into the most costly and useless dishes for the amusement
o f the court palate ; and we might be led to conclude, could a veil be
dropped over the extraordinary convulsion that followed, that the nation
itself, in its extreme degradation, had lost all sense o f liberty, all power
o f redress. But scarcely had the generation which witnessed the tinsel
pomp o f Louis X IV ., or the unalloyed licentiousness o f Louis X V ., been
swept away, before the earth’s surface was rent, and the injured elements
sprang forth from beneath in the wildest confusion. T o enter into a de­
tailed account o f revolutions so rapid and so pervading, was out o f the
limits and objects o f this m agazine; and while we have attempted to ex­
amine, at different periods, the condition o f the realm at eras the most criti­
cal, it has been our endeavor to exhibit the views which were thus unfold­
ed in a shape which would place them in the hands o f the general observer,
unclogged by the weight either o f excessive detail or o f exuberant specu­
lation. In the opening article o f the series, the position o f the French
nation at the period o f the accession o f Louis X V . was illustrated by the
history o f the Mississippi scheme, and the speculations by which it was
surrounded. In the next number, the condition o f the realm during the
remainder o f the reign o f Louis X V . was exhibited, and we now proceed,
in conformity with the plan with which we opened, to consider the changes
which took place during the reign o f his successor, as far as it will be de­
veloped by a view o f the life and administration o f the statesman who, in
that stormy period, was at once the director o f the finances o f the state,
and the projector o f the first measures o f the revolution which convul­
sed it.
T o Necker, a place in a mercantile biography may not in strictness be
due. Living rather as a politician than as a merchant, handling commerce
more as a theorist than a man o f business, better acquainted with the
operations o f finance among men in the mass, than with the dealings o f
trade among men in the detail, he rose with ambitious activity from the
counting-house school to the prime minister’ s throne. In times o f great
commotion he had been drawn into action. Even perhaps had his thoughts
never wandered beyond the walls o f the Parisian exchange, had he reso­
lutely determined to be a rich banker and nothing more, he would have
found it hard to have resisted the temptations o f the stream which would
have flooded his bulwarks and undermined his determination.
W hen
popular sentiment was pouring on in one great continuous channel, when
first and second and third estates combined to draw from his retirement
the merchant by whom alone the finances o f the realm could he disentan­
gled, when the king sealed the general invitation with his royal mandate,
it would have required a steady purchase on the shore to resist the current
that was bearing so impetuously onward. Without being imbedded in the
trade o f the country, without having his attachments wound round its com­
mercial moorings, it cannot be wondered that Necker yielded to the first
surgings o f the waters, and before they had sucked him from his home,
gave himself voluntarily to their motions. In 1775, director o f the royal
treasury o f Fran ce; in 1776, chief secretary o f the finances; in 1777,
prime minister; in 1782, forced into retirement, and returning with a
baron’s title to Switzerland ; in 1789, recalled to his old seat at the head
o f the treasury; in 1790, after having invoked the general estates, and




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304

after having involved the king in a controversy from which no hand could
rescue him but that which dropped the guillotine, being once more dis­
missed to seek in private life that rest which in vain he' had sought in pub­
lic : his career becomes embodied in the history o f the French revolution,
and on the support o f his life and services rests in a great measure the
foundation o f that stupendous edifice, which for fifty years covered Europe
with its shadow.
Treasurer to Louis X V I. under the old economy, leader o f the third
estate in that which succeeded, what great and repulsive eras were thus
united within a few years o f a single lifetime ! Necker is painted to us
now as the man o f middle measures, as the harlequin, who was clothed
on one side in rags o f darkness, and on the other in robes o f light— as the
daysman between the shadow o f a buried monarchy and the substance
o f a young republic. But it should be kept in mind that Necker belonged
to a middle period in the revolution, that he stood at the helm at the time
o f the turning o f the wheel, and that as steersman, his great duty during
the short time power was in his hands, was to turn the ship from the dan­
gerous course she was pursuing, without plunging her into another o f still
greater danger. He was during that most critical moment o f French
history, the object o f suspicion from both quarters. T o the Bourbons he
appeared as a demagogue in a court dress ; to the revolutionists, as a mon­
archist in disguise. The very neutrality as to extreme measures which
first brought him universal homage, at last brought him universal depre­
cation ; and before the bread he had thrown on the waters returned, before
the system into which he had reduced the finances o f the realm had been
given time to ripen, he was driven from the capital to vindicate in private
that reputation which in public he had not been allowed to establish.
Jaques N ecker was born in 1734, or according to one o f his biographers,
in 1732,* in Geneva, where his father had been for some time professor
o f civil law. Receiving an education which would have fitted him for the
position which his father held, his natural aptitude for calculations, his
ambition to rise to distinction in a republic, where wealth was the chief
avenue to eminence, induced him to make use o f his great natural parts,
and the still greater learning with which he had encrusted them, in a field
in which o f all others they would be most useful. T o the bold or the
wise speculator, the commercial dealings o f the continent offered a prize
very splendid. The merchants o f Europe were beginning to plant their
stakes and to spread their nets over that wide ocean from which so rich a
booty was to be reaped. In America, and the W est Indian archipelago,
in China, and the Asiatic peninsula, were adventurers roving with armies
o f foreign and native soldiers under their command ; and already at the
mouth o f the Ganges, o f the St. Lawrence, o f the Mississippi, were station
houses erected, avbich had bribed and enslaved the princes and the people
o f the land. The state o f Louisiana had been cut up in lots, which w ere
painted in the royal charts as spangled with gold mines, and had been sold
by French commissioners in Mr. L aw ’s banking-house at prices the most
romantic. Dupleiss had not yet surrendered the vice-royalty o f the east
to Clive, the French supremacy in North India remained unabated, the
French forts in Am erica were strung like beads along the thread o f the
Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, till they girdled the breast o f the Ameri* Histoire Literaire de Geneve, par Jean Sonebier, III. 90.




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305

can continent, and to French speculators and French merchants a sphere
o f wealth and influence was opened, which drew upon its surface the great
mass o f those who had either money to invest or money to procure. .When
Necker became a clerk in his uncle’s counting-house, in Geneva, he
might have calculated upon a course o f action more brilliant than that in
which he was afterwards thrown; and it was with some reluctance that,
as the Mississippi forts were one by one captured, and Dupleiss by battle
after battle was driven from the Carnatic, he took an inferior place in the
great banking establishment, o f which M. Thelusson was the head. By
his connection with the East India company, to whose notice he was in­
troduced by a very able tract he published in 1769, in their defence, he
had received large additions to his fortune; and as he became their official
organ in their transactions with the government, he was enabled, through
his knowledge o f the probable tendency o f the public funds, to invest most
lucratively the capital he had acquired. Like M. Thiers, he has been
accused o f making use o f his ministerial functions to depress or excite
securities in which he was interested, though with very little reason, as
the transactions which were called in question took place betore he entered
into the government, when the only information which he possessed was
such as a keen mind might easily have gathered from the ordinary occur­
rences o f the state. With means so great, and with faculties o f using
them so liberal, he retired from commercial life some time before he was
called into action as a statesman. By his E/oge de Colbert, he gained the
crown o f the French academy a short period after he retired from his
banking-house ; and with his Essai sur la Legislation et le Commerce dcs
Grains, (1775,) he entered prominently into the contest that was then so
furiously raging between the economists o f the old and the new schools.
He reached the goal by a road on which his rivals had not thought o f en­
tering. Dropping the confused metaphysical nomenclature which had
made the study o f finance a species o f algebraic transcendentalism, he put
down statistics in round numbers, he dressed working facts in working
clothes, and he levelled his tracts at the comprehension o f every man who,
be he king or peasant, had been baffled by the charlatanism o f the old
philosophers. That he was conclusive, we may doubt; but that he was
clear, admits o f no question— as the leaders o f the people and the depen­
dents o f the crown seized on the one idea he uncovered, and locked it up
exultingly in the strong place where they kept their household truths.
Through the Marquis o f Pezay, he obtained the ear o f royalty itself, and
in a short period transmitted to the king an exposition o f the finances o f
the realm, which was plain enough to be understood by their royal receiver,
and was flattering enough to accelerate the elevation o f the man who had
reduced them into system. In the end o f 1776, Necker was associated
with Taboureau, in the comptroller-generalship o f the finances ; and eight
months afterwards, by Taboureau’s resignation, he was left without a
colleague in an office, at that momentous period, the roost important in the
realm.
It was then for the first time that the Geneva banker was brought with­
in the presence o f the descendant o f Henry IV . and the child o f Maria
Theresa. Great names must have stood on the wall before him, as he
touched the carpet that had been trod by St. Louis, by the protestant king
o f Navarre, and by their recreant and apostate successors. In that little
chamber had been determined the adventures o f French royalty from the
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first crusade o f Louis III. to the last debauch o f Louis X V . ; and who can
wonder that the protestant reforming minister felt his limbs fettered in
every fresh motion, by the cob-webs which formed the archives o f the
cabinet ? “ I still remember,” he said, a long time after, “ the steep dark
staircase to M. de Maurepa’s apartments, up which I used to mount with
fear and despondency, not very clear how a new idea might succeed with
him, which occupied all my attention, and which often tended to produce
an increase o f the revenue by some just but rigid curtailment. I still re­
member that little cabinet, shaded by the roof o f the Versailles palace,
but above the king’s apartments, and which by its compression and lofti­
ness, really seemed the essence (and a very refined essence too) o f human
vanity and ambition. There was I obliged to discourse on reform and
economy to a minister grown old in the pomps and formalities o f a court.
I remember the address I was obliged to use to su cceed; and how, after
many repulses, I sometimes obtained a little attention to the public, as a
recompense for the resources I found in the midst o f war. I still remem­
ber the bashfulness I felt, when I introduced in the discourses I ventured
to address to him, some o f those grand moral ideas with which I was ani­
mated. I then appeared as gothic to this old courtier as Sully did to the
young ones, when he appeared at the court o f Louis X III.” Ignorant o f
the rules o f courts, unacquainted with the perquisites o f royalty, who
can wonder that N ecker found himself out o f gear the moment he became
part o f the motive power o f the carriage o f state ? Set about with cum ­
brous wheels and heavy trappings, the principles o f action he developed
could produce little efiect on a system so monstrous and so unmanageable.
Never were two motive powers more antagonistical than those which were
brought into play by the queen and the new minister. Plain, opinionated,
severe in his manners and tastes, attaching an exorbitant value to the
habits o f punctuality and vigor, by which his great fortune had been ac­
quired, N ecker was an object o f amazement and dislike to the council
which had taken its stand around the remaining bulwarks o f royal preroga­
tive. Like an artisan, whose mechanical endowments were the sole cause
o f his introduction to court, was he regarded by the plumed and vizored
champions o f the queen o f F rance; and as he approached the old and
gorgeous turrets o f the castle, as he lifted his hand to tear down a useless
tower, or a tottering wall, his limbs were fettered and his action cramped,
till he gave up the task in despair. W ell would it have been for the
citadel o f royalty if the bastile had been levelled by the hand o f reform,
before it had been torn down by the storm o f rebellion !
The character o f Marie Antoinette can never be fully understood. The
lovely drapery in which she was drawn by Mr. Burke, in the most splendid
o f his writings, clings to her with a tenacity which no hand is sacrilegious
enough to disturb. It is said that when lately, on the exhumation o f
Charles I., the remains o f the beheaded monarch were brought to light,
his features were found unshrunk in their original quiet beauty, while the
calm blue eye, which to the royal painters o f his day had been an object
o f so great study, remained canonized by time in that same expression o f
sedate composure in which the artist had delighted to represent it. With
recollections still more touching has the memory o f Queen Marie A n­
toinette been associated. W e look upon her as she appeared to the states­
man-philosopher o f the age, as she shone upon him from amongst the mist
o f court ceremony just sixteen years before the consummation which fell




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back on its originators with so terrible a recoil. W e drop those interme­
diate scenes o f intrigue and oppression, o f deception and violence, which
were spread out by the hand o f the Austrian council who surrounded the
royal chamber, and we drop them in justice to a principle o f humanity,
which can never be violated without punishment. The execution o f the
king a+td queen, in that last terrible act o f the drama, did more than balance
the account, in the sympathies at least, o f mankind. By them, personally,
it was not deserved. By the king, personally, it was wholly unmerited.
Kind and humane in his sensibilities, just though vacillating in his opinions,
he had been willing from the beginning, had his wishes been allowed full
play, to concede the more moderate demands o f the reformers. But to
concede or to reform, when the whole system was corrupt, would have
required powers far greater than those which he possessed. The abuses
o f his ancestors he could not remove without tearing down the temple
that sheltered h im ; and like an ancient column which supports on its soli­
tary pedestal the accumulated weight o f frieze and roof, he became con­
scious that each stone that was removed from the shaft, each gewgaw that
was removed from the capital, would accelerate that ruin which had al­
ready swiftly advanced. Gathering himself, therefore, within his robes,
the victim, not o f his own error, but o f the crimes o f his ancestors, he pre­
pared himself in calmness for the storm which he might have hastened,
but which he could never have prevented.
The finances o f the realm at the time o f the accession o f Necker, were
confused beyond description. Like the princess in the fable, who feared
that her web might be finished before the time when it was to be displayed,
the Bourbon financiers had tangled in the night season far more than they
had extricated in the day. An administration o f fifty years, without wars
and without wants, it was stated by Raband,* would have been scarcely
sufficient to restore the harmony o f the system. It was with the reduction
o f the most prominent exuberances, that Necker commenced the work.
By dint o f the hosts o f sinecurists who were stationed at the mouth o f each
stream o f revenue which poured in upon the crown, and who sucked from
it more than h alf its treasures, the revenue had been diminished as the
machinery o f taxation increased. Before the coin which was deposited
in the hands o f the tax-collector at one end o f the kingdom, had reached
the hands o f the tax-receiver at the other, it was clipped and ground so
successfully, that not only its quantity but its quality became uncertain.
The Intendans dcs Finances constituted a regiment which was among the
best paid, and the least efficient o f the king’s treasury guards; and one
o f the first acts o f the new minister was to disband the Intendans des Fi­
nances at a blow. Composed, however, o f members o f the most ancient
and most wealthy families, it was not without a struggle that the officers
o f the dismissed cohort consented to leave their posts; and it may be ques­
tioned whether the bitter repugnance with which Neeker’s measures were
received by the nobility in general, may not have arisen from the personal
offence which his retrenchments afforded. Too weak to support the king
by the communion o f their inherent strength, too jjroud to acquire fresh
power by the reduction o f the most odious o f their pretensions, the peers
o f the land, by their clamorous opposition to the slightest reform, invited
and anticipated, in the weakest quarter, the attack which was soon to burst




History o f the Revolution, p. 84.

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upon them. They might have fallen back on their ancient reserved rights;
they might, in conjunction with their king, have done battle under cover
o f their feudal moats and parapets; but with a folly which both increased
and exposed their weakness, they marched out in full state from their for­
tresses, and courted the war on the most untenable precincts o f their most
exaggerated prerogative.
It was at tins period that the French participation in the American war
commenced. Great must have been the feeling o f rivalry against Great
Britain, and great the pressure o f popular sympathy with the United
States from without, to have induced the court o f Louis X V I., incrusted
with aristocratic prejudices, and entangled with financial embarrassment,
to enter into the lists, yoked with a score o f rebel colonies. The queen
had been brought up with that high-bred horror o f reform which charac­
terized the Austrian family, and yet the queen offered her crown-jewels,
the very jewels over which clouds o f suspicion so long had hung, to ad­
vance the cause o f insurgents, whose principles she must have detested.
Perhaps there was a deeper motive at play than pique towards Great
Britain. A little compromise so made with the popular party, might have
diverted to another channel that ambition which would otherwise have
struck at home. The fish-women would have had no ammunition to scatter
on the train o f domestic sedition, if their powder had been already shipped
across the Atlantic. The young nobility o f the realm would have ex­
hausted the stock o f their republicanism by planting it in the wilds o f the
new world. Necker was pressed by every consideration which court in­
fluence could bear, to force loans which should assist so desirable a con­
summation. In the course o f his administration five hundred and thirty
millions (23,187,500/.) were borrowed, on terms certainly in themselves
advantageous, though as they were swelled in the course o f ten years
by subsequent loans under succeeding administrations, to the amount o f
fifteen hundred millions, (65,625,000/.) they laid the corner-stone for that
great edifice o f guilt and oppression which nothing but revolution could
remove.
It has been said that when the sense o f governmental responsibility is
weakened by the diffusion o f the governing power over a great mass o f
points, the vigor o f action, as well as o f the energy o f conscience, will in a
proportionable degree be diminished. Republics, we are told, must be
faithless, because the inherent honesty which is claimed to belong to man
as an individual, does in no sense belong to mankind in a community.
Conscience, like electricity, runs in a single indivisible current, and the
moment it is scattered, it loses the virtue o f its strength. A s a nation,
we seem tacitly admitting the justice o f the theory. It is forgotten that
as yet our faith has been unspotted, and that from the organization o f our
government, debts contracted under pressures the most serious, and in
markets the most costive, have been paid to the remotest penny, with a
punctuality and completeness which in the history o f the world has never
been equalled. Compare, for instance, the fate o f the three great public
debts which were incurred by the three nations who formed parties in the
American war. France, the model o f an old feudal despotism, exhibiting
at the period a spectacle o f concentration unrivalled in the continent o f
Europe, entered into the market under the lead o f a financier o f consum­
mate ability and experience; and yet France, with a people o f great en­
terprise, with a country o f great richness, with political influence une-




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309

quailed in its generation, repudiated by the action o f king, parliament, and
people, the debt it had so sacredly assumed. Great Britain, with internal
wealth still greater, with foreign resources almost as great, by a species
o f management which continues the scar on the administration o f Mr.
Pitt, has postponed without limit the liquidation o f the loans which were
at the same period taken. I f the word repudiation should ever be intro­
duced into our vocabulary, i f it is to be bandied from mouth to mouth
as an item o f every-day adjustment, and its occurrence as a possible con­
tingency, let it be remembered that it is limited in its origin to the present
generation; that it was cradled among us in the manhood o f the republic;
that in the weakness o f our infancy it was never once contemplated, and
that it was reserved for the present moment, when we have quadrupled
our wealth, our territory, and our people, to interpolate in that noble
code which so far has directed us, a principle so disastrous and so dis­
honorable.
In the beginning o f 1781, the influence o f Necker had risen to a pitch
which made him at once an object o f idolatry to the people and o f sus­
picion to the court. Imprudent as now appears the system o f loans which
stimulated to unnatural luxuriance the credit o f the country, their imme­
diate effect was to inspire that general confidence which the influx o f
wealth from abroad must create. But Necker found that while he was the
minister who o f all others was held forth to the public view as supreme, he
was stripped in the cabinet o f all power except so much as was contained
in the mere machinery o f the treasury department.
A seat in the
privy council was a necessary attribute o f his office ; and though he was
partially disqualified from its possession by his religion, he recollected that
Sully before him had been both protestant and prime minister, and he
consequently, in April, 1781, made a formal application to the king for
the honors o f the cabinet. Maurepas was the nominal premier, and to
Maurepas the superficial distribution o f the crown patronage belonged ;
but the old minister had been too prudent to act precipitately on his own
authority, or perhaps too jealous o f Necker to act at all for his elevation,
and he consequently advised the ambitious comptroller to apply in person
to the queen. The result might have been easily foreseen. Marie An­
toinette had suffered Necker to remain in office in the distance; but a near
approach to the crown was.more than she could allow. An answer was
asked for— an answer was given, and, in an evil hour for both king and
queen, the proposition o f Necker was rejected, and he himself banished to
his estate o f St. Owen.
It was when in the forced retirement that followed, that the principal
essays o f Necker were written. By his Compte Rendu, he took off the
veil which had so long hung over the financial operations o f the realm,
and displayed the character and operations o f his short ministerial supre­
macy ; while by his D e l’Administration des Finances, he entered into a
labored exposition o f the whole internal machinery o f the French monetary
system. Incorrect as must have been some o f the details, in a mass so
cumbrous and confused, wild as may have been some o f the theories he
espoused, he possessed a faculty which was unknown to his predecessors.
The scheme which he placed before him he understood distinctly, and
when once the task was undertaken, he was able to make it understood
by others. His report was read throughout France, and as it was the only
work o f the kind that had ever been comprehended, its author was looked




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upon as the only man who ever could comprehend the subject. The dis­
tresses o f the people at large, in truth, as well as the embarrassments o f
the court treasury, proved before long that the master-hand was absent
from the councils. The great necessity o f Louis X V I. as well as o f
Charles I., was money ; and so great had become the demands o f the
government, so great the deficiency in the treasury, that the body politic
was obliged to seek its daily food by the most spasmodic labors. The
approaches o f dissolution were daily becoming more visible. Necker
had for a short time suppressed the more obvious symptoms o f disease, and
had perhaps destroyed some o f its seeds; but during the unbroken supre­
macy which Calonne afterwards obtained, a relapse took place that placed
the patient beyond the hope o f recovery. Both king and people became
clearly conscious that some steps should be taken by which the treasury
could be filled and the nation relieved. The archbishop o f Sens, after
having ousted Calonne from the ministry, had attempted to reorganize the
government, but after an administration as short as it was disastrous, he
Was forced to leave the helm. That the recall o f Necker was necessary,
was on all sides conceded ; and both the queen and the Count d’ Artois
consented so far to suspend their private dislike as to assist in the re-in­
stalment o f the high-priest, who a few years before they had driven so
ignominiously from the temple.
It was under circumstances far different from those which had surround­
ed him in his first ministry, that N ecker resumed the direction o f public
affairs. The threads which then he had reduced into partial order, had
become inextricably tangled; the treasury was involved beyond the proba­
bility o f restoration; the king had become callous from the want o f suc­
cess which his reforms had m et; the queen desperate, from the check
which her ambition had encountered ; the old statesmen, who were masters
at least o f the details o f business, had left their posts, and the state was
rushing rapidly into the whirlpool o f hopeless bankruptcy. The people,
too, were changed, and in the essential attributes o f their character, pre­
sented features utterly at variance with those which they once exhibited.
Light songs were exchanged for pasquinades, dances for revolutionary
assemblages; and at every market-place, at each walk throughout the
great metropolis, might be met groups, not occupied in games or in those
cheerful pastimes in which the spirits o f the nation had once effervesced,
but conversing with severe earnestness on the insolvency o f the treasury,
the apathy o f the court, or the oppression o f the government. For the
first time the people had become politicians. Unaccustomed as yet to
choose a captain out o f their own ranks, they had pitched on the Duke
d’ Orleans as the chieftain o f their c la n ; and though his pusillanimity was
well known, and his treachery generally suspected, they had honored him
with the name, Tribune o f the People, and had recognised him as the per­
sonification o f the revolutionary spirit which then was agitating France.
The resources o f the people were in fact almost exhausted. The granaries
o f the kingdom were empty. The theatres had become the market-place
for the traffic o f revolutionary opinions. Scarcely a man could be found
in the lower classes who would defend the government against the charge
o f cruel and deliberate tyran ny; and though the word guillotine had not
yet been heard, those who looked well around on the savage frown and
the clenched hand o f the men and women o f the third estate, might have
read the signs o f the terrible convulsion that followed. W ell did the queen




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cry, as she rode through the crowded streets, “ They curse me still more
than once they blessed me 1” It may seem strange, that with her remarkable
tact and her hereditary determination, she had not at an early period dis­
covered and suppressed the outbreak. But the people as an acting power
had never entered into the calculations o f the politicians o f her generation.
W arily did they weigh the pretensions o f each foreign power or o f each
domestic prince ; but the great fundamental authority o f all, they disre­
garded. Tim ely concessions might have crushed the revolution; but
however willing the king was, from his constitutional kindness, to conciliate
his subjects, neither his counsellors nor his queen thought the matter
worthy o f consideration. The nation saw that the government was utterly
indifferent to their sufferings; they were starving in masses, without pity
or relief, and they knit together their sinews with terrible earnestness, to
grind to powder the authority which had for centuries consumed their
wealth and trampled on their liberties.
When N ecker passed through the highway o f the nation, on his return
from St. Owen, he became in some measure conscious o f the disasters that
were brooding over the state. Not that he flinched in his attachment to
the crown, or that he estimated the probability o f revolution, but it be­
came evident to him that reform on a large scale was necessary, and he
determined to take measures to secure it. The first minister since the
days o f Sully who had looked upon the people as a component portion o f
the state, he felt bound to take them at once into council, and to secure
their advice in that great work which he saw would be useless without
their co-operation. His first step was to recall the banished members o f
the Parisian parliament, and to restore to that ancient and efficient body
the privileges which had been torn from it by the odious measure o f the
cours plenieres. He next endeavored to replenish the treasury, which at
the time o f his reinstatement contained but 500,000 livres, (2 1 ,8 7 5 /.;)
and by means o f successful loans and bold retrenchment, he was able in
a great measure to resuscitate the credit o f the realm ; and thus, in his
own words, “ by sailing with a side wind, by using all possible circum­
spection, and employing every exertion in a confined sphere, I was able to
direct the feeble vessel o f state without wreck or damage, till the assem­
blage o f the states-general.” The scarcity o f food throughout the king­
dom was in some measure relieved by bounties on corn, which had the
effect o f temporarily exciting the market; and though, according to the
ancient policy o f trade, they were met in Great Britain by a corresponding
prohibition on exportation, they led, during the time they were allowed to
operate, to a condition o f comparative plenty, that increased the popularity
o f the new minister, and gave him a supremacy almost unbroken over both
king and parliament.
It was in the beginning o f 1788 that he laid before the cabinet the great
measure o f the invocation o f the states-general. For many long genera­
tions o f undisturbed tyranny had the name o f that ancient body been
forgotten, and perhaps had it not been connected with some o f the most
glorious periods o f French history, it never again would have been heard
from the mouth o f a French monarch. Neither by the minister who pro­
posed nor the king who adopted the new specific o f relief, was its charac­
ter understood or its bearing estimated. T o Necker it seemed o f value,
as incorporating once more in the operative strength o f government the
dormant energies o f the people at large. T o the queen it seemed plausible,




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as a spectacle by which the vanity o f the people would be flattered and
their assistance procured. Both court and minister proceeded in the most
stupendous work in which France as a united government had ever been
engaged, with a thoughtlessness which can only be understood by the fact
that both regarded the proposed assembly rather as an empty pageant than
as an independent legislature. Heralds were employed to discover the
dress which in feudal days each rank had worn in the great convocation;
and while each feather was weighed and each epaulette adjusted, the
grand question was forgotten, whether the three estates should set apart or
together. N ecker had provided that the third estate should contain a
double representation, and that it should be equal, therefore, in numbers
to the other two united ; but from unconsciousness either o f the terrible
power o f the agent he was bringing into play, or o f what was in fact the
most important point at issue in its constitution, he left the manner o f its
deliberation open to its own adjustment. The great preponderance o f the
third estate, which is exhibited in the following table, ought to have been
sufficient in itself to have aroused the attention o f government, had they
looked upon the assembly itself as o f any other importance than that which
belonged to it as an empty theatrical exhibition.

The clergy were represented by—
48 bishops and archbishops.
35 abbes, canons, or beneficed clergym en ; and
208 cures, or clergymen having livings with the cure o f souls.
291

The nobility by—
18 grand baillis, senechaux, or heads o f districts,
224 gentlemen, or men o f fam ily ; and
28 magistrates o f inferior courts.
270

The Tiers Flat by—
2
12
16
18
162
176
212

ecclesiastics, or beneficed clergymen.
gentlemen o f family.
physicians.
mayors, or heads o f corporations.
officers o f bailliages, or inferior courts o f justice.
bourgeois, merchants, land-owners, and farmers.
lawyers.

598
On the 5th o f May, 1789, on the avenue to the cathedral church o f St.
Louis, was seen early in the morning a cavalcade which was soon in its
march to tread over the crown and the government o f the most splendid
monarchy in Europe. In their gorgeous court attire, drawn from the
designs o f the tournaments o f those days o f chivalry which then were
closing, were seen at the head o f the procession nobility and c le r g y ;
while behind them, in the little black stuff cloak o f serfs, marched the body
which so soon was to crush in the palm o f its hand the estates which pre­
ceded it.
The Duke o f Orleans, in compliance with the scheme o f
treacherous self-aggrandizement which he had adopted, had separated from




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his hereditary order, and had marshalled himself as deputy from one o f
the provincial towns in the ranks o f the third estate. On a lofty throne
in front o f the altar the king was seated, with the queen on the right side,
and the princes o f the blood, with the exception o f Orleans, collected in a
semicircle about h im ; while the clergy and the noblesse, occupying the
two aisles o f the church in front o f the throne, threw, by their glittering
robes and their waving plumes, a melancholy contrast on the mass o f the
third estate, who were crowded in the background. From the swinging
pulpit which hung over the great congregation, a sermon was preached by
the Bishop o f N ancy, on the importance o f the connection between church
and state. In a speech from the throne, the king exhibited a rapid state­
ment o f the condition o f the revenue, and o f the necessities o f the crown.
M. Barretin, keeper o f the seals, as chancellor o f the realm, after having
informed the assembly that the king had granted a double representation
to the third estate, but had left it to the members themselves to determine
whether they should sit together or apart, was followed by Necker,
who. in an oration o f three hours length, which was listened to with an
attention in great contrast to that which had been paid to the king and the
keeper o f the seals, laid down a condensed statement o f the finances o f the
realm, and o f the means necessary to ad just them. Standing as daysman
between two opposite parties, it was natural that he fell behind the expec­
tations o f both; and masterly as was his speech acknowledged to be on
all sides, the reforms it suggested were called by the court revolutionary,
and by the third estate inefficient.
On the 17th o f June, 1789, the first authoritative step in the revolution
was taken. Day after day the tiers etat. had rejected every proposition for
legislative action, unless the two remaining estates should join it in the
same h a ll; and at last, finding both clergy and nobility obstinate in their
opposition to a course so dangerous, it resolved itself, with the assistance
o f a few seceders from the other orders, into a body which assumed the
attributes o f supreme legislation, under the name o f National Assembly.
The illegality o f the existing taxes was at once proclaimed, though by a
qualifying vote their provisional collection was permitted; the national
debt was revised and scrutinized, and reforms were commenced not only
in the abuses o f the ministry, but in the prerogatives o f the crown. The
king attempted a partial compromise, but his propositions were immediately
rejected, and N ecker for the first time became conscious that revolution,
and not reform, was the object o f the third estate. Hastening to Louis,
who was then at Marli, he laid before him a constitution, which, though
liberal, would have secured to the crown its most important prerogatives,
and as soon as a cabinet council could be called, advised the king to estab­
lish the reformed government under the solemnity o f a royal sitting.
It was then that the unfortunate waywardness o f the queen’s disposition
most signally showed itself. Possessed o f an influence almost supreme
over the king’s judgment, she used her power to exasperate and not to
soften the elements which were arrayed in opposition. Never willing to
make concessions except at the knife’s edge, she accompanied every reform
with qualifications which either abrogated its effect or embittered its re­
ception. What she gave she took pains to show she gave with a bad grace,
and under every concession there was placed a subterfuge which was
meant to destroy its efficiency, and which was calculated to eradicate
every spark o f confidence which might have been placed in the sincerity
V O L . V I I . — no . iv.
27




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o f her intentions. W hen N ecker appeared in council with his scheme for
a new constitution, she accepted it in the king’s name with apparent
readiness; the main outlines were agreed upon, and the time and circum­
stances settled o f the royal sitting, through which they were to be promulged.
The minister was led to believe that his propositions had been adopted by
the court, and were to be exhibited to the assem bly; but scarcely had a
day elapsed, scarcely had he been allowed time to retire to his house to
digest the inferior details o f the system, before he was officially informed,
that at the sitting next day to be held, the king had determined to present,
not the constitution which had been determined on in council, but a scheme
o f government which, though nominally o f the same character, was in­
stinct with principles which would render its bearing dubious, and its
operation nugatory.
There was but one course remaining for N ecker to pursue. T o appear
at the sitting and to sanction a system about which he had not been con­
sulted, and to whose features he was opposed, would have been unworthy
o f the trust reposed in him ; and when, on the 20th o f June, the day on
which the clergy were to have joined the third estate, the king and coun­
cil took their place at the royal sitting, together with that splendid retinue
o f princes o f the blood and nobility which on state occasions accompanied
the crown, the place o f the ch ief minister was vacant. In even the inferior
machinery o f the sitting, the absence o f the master-hand was susceptible.
Gorgeous canopies were assigned to noblesse and clergy, but the tiers etat
were obliged to shelter themselves from the rain in a common out-house ;
and even when admitted into the body o f the hall, were crowded into the
aisles without being afforded the common convenience o f seats. When the
king arose to exhibit the new constitution, he accompanied it at once with
a proviso which opposed in anticipation a formidable barrier to its recep­
tion by the body to whom it was offered. The proceedings o f the national
assembly were peremptorily annulled, and though a qualified liberty o f
the press was proposed, though letlres-de-cachet were surrendered so far as
was compatible with the interests o f the state, though the consent o f the
national representatives was made necessary to taxation, and the corvees
were to be abolished; yet still, by the revocation o f the authority o f the
national assembly, and the proviso, that in future the three orders should
sit apart, the virtue o f the partial concessions which accompanied the
speech was destroyed. Notwithstanding an order from the king in person,
that the assembly should immediately separate, the third estate, with a
majority o f the clergy and a few o f the noblesse, continued in session ;
and after an active and vehement debate, passed a series o f resolutions,
declaratory o f their adherence to their former decrees, and denouncing
the penalties o f high treason against those who should attempt to violate
the liberty o f the persons o f their members. It became clear that two
distinct authorities w ere in existence within the bosom o f the state, and
that unless a broad and comprehensive plan o f union could be devised,
civil war would be the consequence.
Had the king reposed that confidence in the judgment o f his chief minister
which both N ecker’s experience and his character deserved, the succeed­
ing disasters o f the revolution might have been averted, and a government
formed on a rational and secure basis. N ecker was, in fact, the only man
who could then have saved the monarchy ; but with that singular fatality
which accompanied the court at every crisis o f importance, he was driven




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315

ignominiously from the ministry at the time when his usefulness was
greatest and his influence most unbounded. Swayed by the vain expec­
tation o f governing once more without an elected parliament, or an inde­
pendent ministry, the queen had by her counsels procured N ecker’ s
banishment from the realm within twenty-four hours after the royal sit­
ting, under the pretence that he had been engaged in intrigues with the
opposition. He was at dinner when the order came, and so unexpected
to him was its burden, that he was for some time at a loss to determine on
its truth; but becoming conscious that he had drawn on his head the dis­
pleasure o f both king and court, and seeing no alternative between prompt
obedience and unqualified rebellion, he surrendered himself implicitly to
the king’s commands, and left at once both the ministry and the kingdom.
Had the king chosen the most rapid means for the destruction o f the
government, he could have taken no course so suitable as the dismission
o f Necker. The courier who brought the news from Versailles to Paris,
was hooted as a madman ; but as soon as the intelligence was authenti­
cated, the incredulity o f the people was changed to astonishment and in­
dignation. The assembly declared that the blow struck at the person o f
the minister, was aimed at the liberties o f the state; and so great was the
determination with which they proceeded, that the new ministry, without
waiting till a resolution had passed, requiring the king to recall N ecker,
resigned in a body their seats. The king, deserted by his old supporters,
and forced by the national assembly to compliance, or civil war, had no
alternative ; and the disgraced minister had hardly reached his journey’s
end, before he was met by a courier, informing him o f his reinstatement.
“ I am convinced,” said he in reply to the king’s compulsory invitation for
him to resume office, “ I am convinced that this is your wish, since you
deign to assure me o f i t ; ” while to the assembly he made use o f terms
which showed that he considered his recall as originating with them, and
not with the court. “ W orthily to reply,” was his expression, “ to the
ennobling mark o f your regard, far exceeds my feeble pow ers; but at
least, gentlemen, I may he allowed to offer you the homage o f m y respect­
ful gratitude.” * With a tribute little short o f that paid to a successful
conqueror, he was ushered from town to capital; and by consent o f both
king and people, seemed raised to an eminence which subjected the empire
to his control. W ith power far greater than before, with an influence
apparently irresistible over the assembly, and with entire supremacy in
council, on the 29th o f July, 1789, he assumed once more the direction
o f the state.
Had the prime minister looked beyond the splendid arch which was
erected for his triumphal entry into Paris, he would have seen a precipice
whose perils were unavoidable. Aiming himself at a constitutional mon­
archy, he stood alone between the opposing currents o f the adherents— on
the one hand, o f the old regime, and on the other, o f revolutionary en­
croachments. Without sympathies with either party, without supporters
on either side, he found that he became acceptable to one rank, only
so far as he was instrumental in humbling the other, and that the moment
he ceased to be a party man, he was discarded by both. The king hated
him because he wished to cut away the excrescences o f the crown ; the
commons hated him, because he had written a book in defence o f the no­




* Necker on the French Revolution, I. 225.

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b ility ; the nobles hated him because, without belonging to them, he had
taken supremacy over them : and though all factions were willing to bid
high for his support so long as they supposed he might be made an
ally, as soon as they found that he could not be bought, they all conspired in his overthrow. W hen on his return to the ministry, N ecker
found on the surface every element united in his favor, he had not pene­
trated a great distance into the materials around him, before he found
that the support afforded him was treacherous and transient. Carried on
the shoulders o f the mob from Paris to Versailles, he soon discovered that
his throne was uncertain, and that the bearers, who at one moment press­
ed forward to lift him to the skies, would be ready in the next to toss him
in the mud. The treasury he found bankrupt, and no stimulus, however
violent, could force from capitalists the money necessary to its recovery.
A loan had been reported to the assembly to the amount o f thirty millions
o f livres, at the rate o f five per cent, with a certain bonus at which it
might have been taken, but the majority, not anxious that the credit o f the
government should be placed on a firm basis, lowered the interest to four
and a half per cent, and ensured the failure o f the scheme. A tax to the
amount o f one fourth o f the income o f each man in the state was proposed
and sanctioned ; but tacked, as it was, by the legislature, to provisions to
which it was known the king must disagree, it never went into operation.
A national bank was next established, built on the decayed arches o f the
Caisse d’ Escompte, and connected with the sale o f church and crown
lands on the basis o f the funds expected to arise, from which notes were
issued under the name o f assignats. E very means for restoring the credit
o f the realm had been tried in vain,— every specific for the re-estab­
lishment o f the currency had in vain been administered, and the minis­
ter, after a year o f fruitless labors, found his popularity destroyed, his
usefulness lost, and his reputation withered. The only course remaining
was for him to leave office, and that course he followed.
T h ey who were present with N ecker when he was told that the na­
tional assembly had suffered his resignation to pass by without notice,
have stated that his astonishment was even greater than that with which
he had received notice o f his late unexpected recall. He had thrown up
the seals, not because he had accomplished his work, but because the ma­
terials he had required had been refused h im ; and when, on the 4th o f
September, 1790, he wrote to the legislature informing them o f the neces­
sity o f his resignation unless the obstacles before him should be removed,
he still expected that by the same acclamation with which he had been
invited to office, he would be pressed to remain. But N ecker had mis­
taken the dispositions o f the men with whom he was to deal. H e had
fought with the revolutionists in their first initiatory battles, he had se­
cured for them the vantage-ground o f free representation on which they
stood, but they saw that further he was unwilling to go, and they discard­
ed him as soon as they discovered that he was opposed to the destruction
o f the government. Deserted by his adherents, forgotten by the king, dis­
liked by the people, he retired to Copet with a silence in strange contrast
with his late triumphant procession to the capital; and in the beginning o f
1804, after fourteen years o f retirement, which had been occupied in part
with a laborious review o f his administration, and in part in preparation
for that great change he was about to experience,— after having met with
every vicissitude o f fortune between the poverty o f a clerkship and the




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wealth o f a principality,— between the omnipotence o f a prime minister
and the helplessness o f an exile,— he died in the city o f Geneva, in the
seventieth year o f his age, with the testimony o f a good conscience, and
unbroken respect o f those whose respect was worthy o f possession.*
In a generation o f peace and o f intelligence, Necker, as minister, would
have reached that goal o f success which his integrity and his parts de­
served. Not wedded to any one school— not entangled by the dangerous
though brilliant theories o f Colbert— not bewildered by the loose philosophy
o f the revolutionary economists, he applied the maxims o f business to the
operation o f state, and the great law o f honesty, which, as a merchant, he
had practised, as a statesman he endeavored to bring into execution. Des­
perate was the condition o f the treasury when the accounts were subject­
ed to his supervision, and yet with a clearness which is astonishing when
we reflect on the massiveness o f the ruin which was laid before him, he
succeeded in a few months, not only in exhibiting a fair statement o f its
condition, but an adequate scheme for its reconstruction. In the great
treasury book o f the French monarchy there had been fraud after fraud,
error after error,— ministers had wiped off debts, not by a payment o f capi­
tal, but by a transfer o f figures ; paymasters had cloaked their own profli­
gacy by an entanglement o f accounts; false entries had been made on
every page, and accidental errors on every column ; and yet, on his first
accession to office, the Geneva merchant succeeded in displaying to the
government the true and exact condition o f the financial state o f the realm.
Disdaining all temporary remedies, except as means o f temporary assist­
ance, he struck at the only means o f extrication, and proposed, with a
manliness and decision that attracted at once support, a tax o f one fourth
o f each individual income, as the only means for the liquidation o f the
debt which then dragged the government to the earth. Had that tribute
been paid, the old French monarchy, not attired in the feudal jew elry, the
cumbrous damasks, the licentious finery o f the ancient system, but dress­
* Necker as an author alone, was worthy o f the splendid criticism of Madame de
Stael. In the sphere o f literature and theological inquiry, his works would have raised
him to a distinction as a reasoner, as high as that which he attained in the political
world as a financier. His Compte Rendu, and his De VAdministration dcs Finances,
were built on the model o f the expositions o f the English chancellors o f the exchequer,
but with the exception o f Mr. Pitt’s great speeches on the opening of the budget, there
were none which can be placed on the same level with the reports of the French minis­
ter. The De VImportance des Opinions Religieuses, was the soundest and most useful
o f his tracts, and exhibits a degree o f metaphysical research, o f profound theology, ming­
led with an amount o f
whose temptations had
Pourvoir E xecutif, he
monarchy as he would

practical piety rarely to be found in the composition of a man
been so great, and whose advantages so equivocal. In his Du
presented the fairest and most rational defence o f the French
have made it ; and had his suggestions been listened to, the more

terrible outbreaks o f the revolution would have been averted. It was a great gratifica­
tion to Necker to know that his last work o f importance, his Rejections addressed to
the French nation, reached the eye o f the sovereign in whose behalf it was written at
the period o f his greatest distress, and that in the last moment of his life Louis XVI. ac­
knowledged without reserve the rectitude and fidelity o f a minister to whom if he had
listened fully, he might have turned aside the consummation which was poured on his
nead and on his inheritance.




27*

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ed in the plain robes which it suits a constitutional monarchy to wear,
would still have been in endurance. So intimately woven are the threads
o f trade and government, o f public debt and o f private enterprise, that
had once the treasury been cleared— had once the exorbitant abuses o f
the crown been curtailed— had once the debts abroad and at home been
liquidated, that venerable structure which buried in jts ruin so much o f
the wealth and o f the blood o f France, might have still continued with its
foundation unimpaired. Perhaps, however, the purgation o f the revolu­
tion and o f the empire was necessary for the production o f that more
equal result which the constitutional monarchy o f Louis Philippe exhibits.
T w o great lessons have been taught, which are enough to reconcile us to
the exaggerated terrors o f the revolution ;— that, in the first place, there is
a justice which wreaks on governmental oppression that same judgment
which is pronounced on individual crime ; and that, in the second place,
there is a law o f right and wrong in the commercial dealings o f nations in
the abstract, which must be obeyed at the hazard o f the integrity o f the
state.
In the series o f papers o f which the present is a number, it was our in­
tention to display, by turns, the operation o f the distinct commercial sys­
tems which are embodied, first, in the despotism o f the Bourbons; second,
in the anarchy o f the revolution; third, in the empire o f Napoleon; and
fourth, in the monarchy o f Louis Philippe. The point which we have at
present passed by, has been one which, from the mass o f detail which it
brings together, we have been unable to reduce and digest in the system
which we at first laid down ; but if it be taken in relation to the stages
that precede and follow it— i f the debt-paying administration o f N ecker be
considered in connection with the debt-contracting administration o f Col­
bert, or the debt-repudiating administrations o f the revolution,— it will be
found to contribute its own share o f illustration to the great principles
which the political economist is so willing to preach, and which the eco­
nomical politician is so unwilling to practise. It was shown in previous
papers, that by the systematic interference o f the old French government
in the affairs o f trade, the treasury was emptied, the people impoverished,
the commerce o f the realm destroyed. It is shown in this, that the ener­
gies o f the body politic, enfeebled by the operations through which the
debt was contracted, were unable to liquidate it when presented for pay­
ment, and that by an organic revolution o f the state alone, could the hand
which oppressed it be thrown aside. In the concerns o f government as
well as in the concerns o f trade, the systematic interference o f the Bour­
bons in the commerce o f France was productive not only o f distress among
the people in detail, but o f revolution among the people in a body.




319

Commerce o f Cuba.

A r t . II.—COMMERCE OF CUBA.

O f all the countries connected with the continent o f America, no matter
to what particular nation they may owe their settlement, or under what
form o f government its inhabitants may live, the island o f Cuba stands
foremost in point o f a steady and uninterrupted increase o f prosperity.
W ith an absolute government, with scarcely any means o f internal com­
munication, but roads for the most part impassable, and with a people pos­
sessed o f that natural languor o f mind, more or less common to the
inhabitants o f all tropical climates, we find a flourishing commerce, almost
exempt from those periodical revulsions which so frequently prostrate the
affairs o f the United States and Great Britain, which are free from those
disadvantages here pointed out. The following is a table o f the aggregate
imports and exports o f the island for a series o f years, showing the steadi­
ness o f its advancement in commercial prosperity.
Imports and exports o f the island o f Cuba.
1833
1834
1835
1836

.
.
.
.

. #32,507,235
. 33,051,257
. 34,781,320
. 37,950,215

1837
1838
1839
1840
1841

.
.
.
.
.

. #43,286,764
. 45,200,980
. 46,797,665
. 50,641,972
. 51,856,123

These figures give evidence o f a steady increase in the same years in
which the business o f the United States and Great Britain fluctuated to a
fearful extent. W e have here the proof that the business o f Cuba has
immensely increased, although far behind the countries with which it
mostly deals, in political freedom, advancement o f the arts, and the ac­
tivity o f its inhabitants. There is another feature which has also been
considered a proof o f its want o f advancement in modern science, viz : an
exclusive metallic currency. How far this fact may or may not have
contributed to the advancement o f its wealth, we are not now to discuss;
but simply to look into the real state o f affairs. The currency o f Cuba,
although metallic, is far from being a perfect one. It consists, first, o f the
gold ounce, at an arbitrary value o f $17, and its fractional parts, halves,
quarters, and eighths. The silver in circulation consisted heretofore o f
the pezeta o f Seville, or the pfstareen, at the arbitrary value o f four to the
dollar— the real value being five to the dollar. Besides this are the eighth
and sixteenth o f the dollar, composing the smaller description o f circula­
tion. The pistareens have been the most abundant; their arbitrary value
o f four to the dollar caused them to seek the island from the mother coun­
try in great quantities, and led to the manufacture o f counterfeits. In
1827 an attempt was made to prohibit their importation, but did not suc­
ceed. In October, 1841, however, a bando was emitted by the govern­
ment, calling in the outstanding pistareens, at four to the dollar, in order
to restamp them, with a view to their circulation thereafter at their real
value o f five to the dollar. The loss attending this operation was borne
by the government.
The result o f the operation was as follows.




320

Commerce o f Cuba.

Pistareens paid in at 4 to the dollar, and re-issued at 5 to the dollar.
P ort Principe.

Santiago.

Total.

$3,413,531
2,761,512

A t Havana.

$963,840
794,321

$775,717
632,507

$5,153,088
4,188,340

Difference, $652,019

$169,519

$143,210

$964,748

Received,
Paid out,

On the payment o f the pistareens into the treasury, the holder received
coupons, bearing 6 per cent interest, for the amount, which was afterwards
reimbursed ; the government making good the deficiency, $964,748.
The real value o f the coins circulating in Cuba is as follows, according
to the best assays.
Reign.

Date.

W eight. Fineness.
Grs. Thous'ths.

Ferdinand, American,
Doubloon, 1751
“
Do.
1772-84 Charles III.
“
Spanish,
H a lf do. 1780-82
“
American,
Pistole,
1774-82
“
Spanish,
Doubloon, 1786-88
do.
1789-1808 “
IV . American,
do.
1811-21 Ferdinand V II. “
“
Spanish,
H a lf do. 1810-24
<<
ii
Pistole,
1813-22
Pistareen, 1707-12 Charles, (Pretender)
do.
1715-37 Philip V .
Louis,
do.
1724
do.
1759-71 Charles III.
do.
1772-1808
“
do.
1808-33 Ferdinand VII.
do.
1835-37 Isabella II.
D ol.| real, 1772-1821 (various,)
do. TV
1772-1821

416
416
206
103
416
208
416.5
208
104
70
81
75
85
85
87
90.5
46
21

908
893
896
895
870
870
868
865
872
900
833
833
826
813
813
810
898
898

Peal Nrnn’l
Value. Value,
d. c. in.

16.26.5 $17
16.00.0 U
7.95.0
3.97.0
15.58.7 $17
7.79.0 U
15.57.0 (6
7.74.8
3.90.6
.17.0 20c
.18.2 U
.16.8 i t
.18.9 i t
.18.6 a
19.1 a
.19.7 a
.11.1
.5.1

The following table will show the movement during the nine years from
1833 to 1841, inclusive.

Imports and exports o f the precious metals in Cuba, from 1833 to 1841,
inclusive.
Gold
Silver

.
.

Total,

.
.

Imports.

Exports.

$8,751,752
6,741,172

$2,923,432
6,480,994

$5,828,320
260,178

$15,492,924

$9,404,426

$6,088,498

E xcess o f imports.

This return, keeping in view the quantity that was in the island anterior
to this period, and the silver which has arrived clandestinely, proves that
there is an excess o f precious metals in the island : and also that a
scarcity o f the precious metals, under the present judicious system o f
finance and collection o f the customs, is impossible. Both gold and silver
are imported and exported with perfect freedom. There is abundance for
the external trade o f the island, and also for a circulating medium. This
system also affords a choice o f metals, which is evidenced in the fact, that




321

Commerce o f Cuba.

when one description disappears, it is immediately supplied by the other.
The following is a return for the last three years.

Imports.
Coined gold .
do. silver .

1839.
. $1,497,408
.
709,770

1840.
$908,108
454,118

1841.
$595,780
185,859

$2,207,178

$1,362,226

$781,639

Exports.
Coined gold .
do. silver .

.

$850,858
874,945

$526,322
526,778

$326,842
765,829

$1,053,100
$1,092,671
—
209,126
311,032
—
This being the condition o f the circulating medium, there are three
principal descriptions o f credits afloat in the island, appertaining to the
three branches o f its business in agriculture, imports, and exports. The
planters may be divided into two classes, v iz : those who manage their
own estates, sell their crops for cash, and buy on credit or for cash, as
they may require. The other consists o f those whose estates have been
established, partly for cash, say 12 to 25 percent, with mortgage, payable
annually, in sums o f ten to twenty thousand dollars. This purchase and
establishment o f estates on credit, constitutes the first class o f credits.
There is seldom any difficulty experienced in making such arrangements.
It is usually done through some person seeking to become the factor for
the sale o f the produce, for which he charges a commission o f 5 per cent,
besides an annual interest o f 12 per cent, and other expenses, as storage,
brokerage, & c. Supplies are also furnished to the estates, payable out o f
the proceeds o f the crop to come to market. The capital thus loaned to
the development o f the resources o f the island, is well employed, and
there seems to be a sufficiency to give employment to the industry o f the
people. The great means for the employment o f the commercial capital
o f the island, are the promissory notes o f the shopkeepers to the importers,
and the bills o f exchange drawn against produce by the exporter. The
goods imported into the island, are sold partly on account o f the growers,
manufacturers, merchants, and ship-owners producing it, and partly on
account o f the residents o f Cuba. These latter enjoy, perhaps, one fourth
o f the trade. The goods are sold partly for cash, as liquids, eatables, & c.,
with the exception o f flour and pickled beef, and partly on credits, vary­
ing from one to eight months. The cash sales are to the credits as about
one to five. The mean credits allowed may be stated at five months.
The paper received in payment o f merchandise sold on time, consists o f
the simple note o f the buyer, without any other signature. This paper
enjoys great credit. It is punctually paid at maturity, or, according to
usage, on the Saturday following that day on which the note falls due.
This paper is o f the best possible description, and is rarely i f ever dishon­
ored. The ordinary rate o f discount is f to 1 per cent per month. In
usual years the rate is high from January till June, say f to 1 per cent
per month, and low from July to December, say f to f per cent per month.
This paper has never been in discredit since 1829, and then the feeling
$1,725,803
Excess o f imports, 481,375
do.
exports,
—




322

Commerce o f Cuba.

was but momentary, and arose from the efforts o f a combination among the
shopkeepers, forming a kind o f safety-fund, to lengthen the term o f credit.
In the first months o f the year the rate o f discount reaches its highest
point, because it is at that period that the shipments o f produce are the
most active. At that time commercial houses convert all their resources
into cash; some for the purchase o f produce, others for making remittances
abroad on favorable terms, by taking advantage o f the low rates o f ex­
change caused by the abundant supply o f bills. The produce o f the
island, exported, is mostly bought for ca sh ; scarcely 5 per cent o f the
whole is bought on credit, and that at 60 to 90 days at most. Those who
wish to purchase on credit, are looked upon with suspicion. The means
for the purchase are, the money in the strong-box o f the merchant, that
realized by the discount o f the shopkeepers’ bills taken in payment for
imports, and the sale o f bills o f exchange, which can always be done with
sufficient facility. In the first months o f the year, therefore, a general
movement takes place, and the money o f the capitalist is in active demand
for the discount o f bills and notes. The only difficulty that arises in usual
years, in procuring these discounts, is owing to the over-abundance o f bills
upon the market at once. In years o f revulsion in the United States and
Great Britain, capitalists became cautious o f the bills. W hen their bills
are returned, they influence only the standing o f those immediately con­
nected with them, but never retard the regular business o f the island.
For all these purposes there is never any real deficiency o f money. I f
the state o f affairs abroad temporarily checks the disposition to invest in
bills, the reduced rate in consequence never fails to draw out the money.
The imports, we have said, are generally on foreign account. These
are sometimes on account o f the ship-owner, as lumber from the United
States, and the products o f Spain ; again, on the joint account o f the ship­
owner, shippers or consignees, or both, as is usually the ease with jerked
beef from the river Platte, rice from Charleston; sometimes on account
o f the shipper and consignees, severally and jointly, as United States flour,
lard, & c. Sometimes retailers import from Europe the precise articles
they require, o f hardware, clothing, & c. Speculators, also, watching the
New' York market, import thence various articles o f manufactures. Again,
foreign manufacturers send for sale the linens o f Germany, France, and
Ireland ; cottons o f Great Britain and Switzerland ; silks o f France and
Switzerland. Sometimes the Havana houses import French and English
goods manufactured expressly for the market. The general results o f
this import business are seen in the following table o f articles imported, for
a period o f three years, compiled from tables got up with great care, by
the intendant o f the island.
IMPORTS OF ARTICLES INTO THE ISLAND OF CUBA IN

1839, 1840, 1841.

Liquors.
Sweet Oil, .
Rum (Aquardiente)
Malt liquors,
Gin,
Cider, .
Vinegar,
W ine (W hite)




.

1839.
$372,403
170,602
171,727
75,170
30,791
11,128
87,132

1840.
$228,960
161,322
180,760
106,599
25,762
8,812
101,722

1841.
$306,702
259,598
222,617
160,092
37,498
12,890
155,713

Commerce, o f Cuba.

.

W ine (Red)
Other liquors,
Total liquors,

323

1839.
1,382,240
89,365

1840.
1,103,071
82,050

1841.
1,229,764
45,036

$2,390,569

$1,990,068

$2,429,875

40,571
46,417
2,560
1,655,433
30,620
28,073
81,728

55,296
46,344
4,239
1,582,278
30,354
36,569
81,174

62,275
50,170
9,187
1,868,823
30,833
28,785
130,300

1,885,402

1,836,254

2,180,373

34,896
47,376
4,241
5,389
8,422
18,900

48,186
13,984
6,921
1,707
23,857
19,677

18,525
12,180
3,496
5,386
11,259
9,428

119,204

114,332

60,283

31,033
53,284
9,312
9,867
14,232
51,382
57,124

33,709
51,720
4,908
6,156
16,781
51,466
64,566

33,442
43,346
11,194
3,512
9,584
66,338
60,153

226,234

229,306

227,569

838,914
40,463
38,877
79,332
2,416,611
810
1,457
28,386

1,037,773
174,428
20,622
62,522
2,425,162
2,452
4,662
23,947

1,030,784
30,683
37,805
50,542
2,843,193
6,927
3,592
8,972

$3,444,850

3,751,568

4,012,499

209,755
10.169
6,166

158,638
19,252
3,833

Provisions.
Pork, .
Beef, .
“ smoked,
“ jerked,
Sausages,
Bacon,
Ham, .

.

Total provisions,

Spices.
Saffron,
Cinnamon, .
Cloves,
Pimento,
Pepper,
Other spices,
Total spices,

Fruits.
Olives,
Almonds,
Filberts,
Prunes,
Figs, .
Raisins,
Other fruits,
Total fruits,

Breadstuff's.
Rice, .
Cocoa,
Beans,
“
(Spanish) .
Wheat Flour,
Indian Meal,
Indian Corn,
Other breadstuff's,
Total breadstuff’s,

.

.

Linens.
Drills,
Cambrics,
Stockings,




284,933
22,830
3,118

Commerce o f Cuba.

324
Lace,
Russias,
Holland,
Irish,
Cal eta,
Creas,
Listados,
Platillas,
Lawns,
Estopillas, .
Other linens,
Total linens,

.

1839.
23,653
328,317
24,102
30,317
371,741
171,494
460,629
453,842
37,975
113,557
307,778

1840.
16,128
276,302
21,871
70,533
193,798
185,002
313,752
512,941
43,407
127,354
458,077

1841.
1,370
200,354
26,514
29,265
233,614
129,745
55,224
613,807
33,830
69,881
368,553

2,634,286

2,445,255

1,943,880

11,608
173,501
49,013
57,141
289,100
70,893

7,490
157,440
57,042
50,306
127,363
125,293

3,199
38,060
57.874
132,545
153,009

571,258

524,934

384,687

85,737
49,784
26,281
4,948
33,730
105,883
20,373
8,309
35,895
10,016
35,771
12,182
490
54,663

102,549
28,981
20,722
7,983
19,457
80,041
18,316
1,419
37,580
3,723
29,731
9,721
951
71,377

55,747
9,734
11,545
8,959
35,146
45,254
14,324

484,062

432,551

304,302

87,446
278,864
141,134
655,982
9,174
120,177

97,626
223,120
66,078
733,467
5,961
204,801

105,841
525,837
1,597
720,692
7,542
17,649

1,292,777

1,331,015

1.379,158

Peltry.
Boots, .
Tanned skins,
Saddles,
Leather,
Shoes,
Other peltry,
Total,

.

Silks.
Ribbons,
Shawls,
Silk Net,
.
Mantillas,
Stockings,
Handkerchiefs,
Umbrellas,
Net goods,
Satin,
Serge,
Sewing Silk,
Tafeta,
Dresses,
Other silks,
Total silks,

.

45,862
4,851
4,350
68,530

Lumber.
Hoops,
Hogsheads, .
F ustic,
Boards,
Shingles,
Other lumber,
Total lumber,




.

•

325

Commerce o f Cuba.

Oils.
W hale,
Lard,
Butter,
Cheese,
Tallow ,
Tallow Candles,
Sperm Candles,
Other oils,

.

Total oils,

.

1839.
$102,711
620,245
33,861
67,328
26,609
152,937
42,037
—

1840.
$136,194
507,124
47,149
94,410
95,116
160,907
64,341
—

1841.
$118,860
748,768
77,811
132,147
62,188
223,048
38,100
42,458

1,045,728

1,105,741

1,443,180

Fish.
Herring,
Atun,
Cod,
Mackerel,
Salt fish,
Sardines,
Salmon,

17,333
2,659
318,016
16,981
16,783
26,045
894

20,149
1,228
365,408
7,177
15,066
29,879
832

9,754
1,417
332.934
565
39,012
44,704
2,710

398,711

439,735

431,096

28,633
114,219
28,199
67,366
4,434
49,425

38,261
117,129
25,768
77,759
4,078
33,732

39,838
78,511
18,840
95,662
2,210
55,728

292,276

296,727

290,789

392,926
4,386
139,866
382,237
10,418
62,139
197,314
360,478
169,972
22,246
334,430
485,207
525,088

2,054,086
661
167,065
122,556
11,330
24,923
133,318
224,796
116,778
13,931
243,137
270,412
749,729

5,191
181,678
124,246
1,687
33,380
142,252
364,941
2,429
18,980
152,652
469,981
377,648

Total Cotton Manufactures, 3,086,707
V O L . V I I .— N O . IV .
28

4,142,722

1,875,065

Total fish,

.

Miscellaneous.
Onions,
Verm icelli,
Crackers,
Potatoes,
Teas,
Vegetables and Pickles,
Total,

•

Cotton Manufactures.
Cotton W ool,
Coquillo,
Drills,
Listadoes,
Nankeen,
Blankets,
Stockings,
Muslins,
Cambrics,
Dresses,
Handkerchiefs,
Calicoes,
Other articles,




326

Commerce o f Cuba,
Woollens.

Bombazine,
Baize,
Cassimere,
Cloth,
Frozadus,
Other woollens,
Total woollens,

•

1839.
$3,531
52,147
3,687
71,898
66,197
83,605

1840.
$2,843
87,667
2,609
88,061
70,438
106,224

1841.
$1,028
30,997
2,207
52,580
43,848
64,586

281,065

357,842

195,246

Miscellaneous.
Almond Oil,
Linseed “ .
Tar,
Horses and Mules,
Live-stock, .
Indigo,
Coal,
Glass,
Ironware,
Caps,
Chochineal,
Ice,
Tw ine,
Soap,
Rigging,
Bricks,
Books,
Marbleware,
Earthenware,
Machinery,
Medicine,
Hardware,
Furniture,
W hite Paper,
Paperhangings,
Perfumery,
Paint,
Powder,
Jewelry,
Clothing,
Bagging,
Salt,
Leeches,
Ropes,
Hats,
T obacco leaf,
“
stems,
Snuff,
Chairs,




26,930
24,647
9,403
17,000
184
216,190
14,515
213,393
911,127
5,410
107,238
56,160
12,726
480,398
32,554
43,974
79,013
20,299
137,276
21,707
169,470
546,621
60,794
198,176
6,982
65,488
60,777
55,349
43,415
53,868
63,570
100,813
12,880
67,919
74,770
18,621
12,853
1,715
59,579

9,717
20,899
9,717
20,899
422
280,855
21,768
145,746
695,682
6,451
62,980
60,772
35,099
489,456
92,622
66,729
67,919
12,213
146,139
28,180
101,837
711,885
68,102
116,983
3,502
67,651
46,406
27,811
81,132
—
110,519
115,612
15,730
133,568
90,021
18,630
38,211
1,481
49,215

—

9,432
13,935
—
—

43,049
111,558
737,135
2,139
—

146,960
17,457
258,094
20,474
58,674
73,681
17,925
158,515
—

122,998
174,186
76,387
91,391
89,091
95,158
58,230
18,841
63,253
38,498
109,781
238,145
—

67,992
45,207
—

21,459
1,776
—

327

Commerce o f Cuba.

Sarsaparilla,
Y eso,
Other articles,
Total miscellaneous,

1839.
12,321
10,157
254

1840.
25,063
3,641
89,850

1841.
4,995
3,517
190,112

4,182,048

4,160,815

3,569,003

23,838
143,586
127,269
261,855
1,497,408
709,770
42,971
---

—
126,375
57,590
118,782
908,108
454,118
30,939
5,940

—
—
177,958
46,130
119,997
595,780
185,859
48,271

2,803,119
$25,315,803
—

1,691,756
$27,700,189
—

1,173,995
$21,781,925
$3,299,483

Metals.
Quicksilver,
Nails,
Copper,
Iron,
Coined Gold,
“
Silver,
Lead,
Other metals,
Total metals,
Total importations,
In warehouse, .

.

.
.

W e may now pass to the duties. These consist o f import duties, ware­
house duties, importation out o f warehouse, export duties, and seven or
eight other charges. The import duties amount to about three fifths o f
the whole. The tariff has undergone repeated changes. In 1809 the
formation o f a tariff was given in charge to a commission, by the cortes,
which advised its immediate execution. In 1819 a tariff was framed,
fixing the duties according to the classification o f the articles, at from 26A
to 434 per cen t; but it was not formally legalized until the year 1824,
when it was published. It was approved by royal decree o f March, 1825,
leaving room for such modifications as circumstances might require, o f
which, in fact, many were made in the tariff o f 1826. Since that time
it has undergone successive reformations, such as experience and the con­
ciliation o f the different interests o f state, o f agriculture and commerce,
might suggest. These changes are made by authority o f the “ Board o f
T a r iff;” and, having obtained the sanction o f the superior director, are
immediately transmitted to Spain to receive the royal approbation.
An organic law o f tariffs was published by the Spanish government in
1820, and a desire was manifested by the cortes to extend the prohibitive
system to the W est India colonies. This was strenuously resisted by the
authorities o f Havana, who, by their exertions, obtained, first, the decree
o f 3d July, 1821, suspending the action o f that law so far as it affected
these islands; and, afterwards, a decree o f 4th February, 1822, justifying
the course pursued in the formation o f tariffs for the islands, and giving
royal permission to modify or vary, according to local or circumstantial
exigencies, observing to render account o f such modifications, with the
reasons therefor, for the approbation o f the cortes.
In these periodical reformations o f the tariff, preserving, as far as possi­
ble, the fundamental basis, those variations are admitted which the vicissi­
tudes o f commerce, and the prices o f the domestic productions by which it
is sustained, render indispensable. By royal decrees o f May, 1836, and
December, 1835, this privilege was suspended, and the previous assent o f
the sovereign was to be obtained, before such modifications could be per.




328

Commerce o f Cuba.

mitted to go into operation. These decrees were, however, repealed in
August, 1837, and another decree o f December, in the same year, advises
the intendant to proceed with a revision for 1839.
The basis o f the present tariff is as follows : National merchandise in­
troduced into the island under the Spanish flag, direct from the qualified
ports o f the peninsula, pays 6 } per cent on values specified in the tariff.
The same productions, under a foreign flag, pay 1 8 i per cent, or 141 per
cent, according to the classification o f the tariff— being the same which
foreign goods pay when imported under the national tariff; but i f the lat­
ter come from any port in the peninsula, they come under the third class
o f duties, and pay 13J or lO f per cent. T o all these duties are added the
“ balance” o f 1 per cent. In 1838 an additional duty o f 50 cents per
bbl. was put upon flour, and one seventh added to the duties o f importa­
tion. On exports, a duty o f 50 cents is laid on each box o f sugar, l i
cents on each arroba o f coffee, 25 cents on each hogshead o f molasses, 3
cents on each arroba o f lea f tobacco, 1 2 i cents on each thousand o f segars.
After December last, an additional duty o f i per cent was laid upon all
imports and exports.
The first class o f duties on importation, comprehends those on foreign
productions under a foreign flag, which are 27-} and 2 1 { per cent on the
valuation specified; and 4 } on fine jew elry. Articles not specified in
the tariff pay 2 7 i per cent, on a valuation made at the customhouse,
except machines and agricultural utensils, which pay 24j- per c e n t;
those which appertain to sugar-works, and certain other manufactories,
are free.
Each quintal o f foreign cordage from a foreign port, under a foreign
flag, pays § 7 12 4 ; under the national flag from a foreign port, or Spanish
cordage under a foreign flag, pays $ 5 ; foreign cordage in Spanish vessels
from Spanish ports, $4 50. Bv the addition o f the duty o f 2 per cent, with
the title o f “ armamento,” and the 1 per cent, with the title o f “ re-emplazo,” the duty is increased to 2 4 i and 3 0 i on foreign effects at their im­
portation, excepting “ hogs,” upon which there is a specific duty. A ll
kinds o f wines, spirits, or liquors, pay as additional duty 50 cents for each
pipe, 25 cents each half-pipe, 12£ cents each demijohn, 1 2 i cents each
dozen o f bottles, flasks, or jugs.
T o all these duties are added the “ balanza” o f 1 per cent on the whole
amount.
The above is a digest o f the tariff for 1835, 1836, and 1837. In Octo­
ber, 1838, the tariff was increased as follows, under the title o f “ extraor­
dinary war subsidy:”
An increase o f 50 cents on the duty on each barrel o f flour, whether
national or foreign.
An addition o f one seventh to the duties o f importation, with exception
o f flour, goods in deposite, gold and silver coin, indigo, cochineal, cordage,
and the tonnage duties.
On exports, 50 cents on each box o f su gar; l i cent on each arroba o f
coffee ; 25 cents on each hogshead o f molasses ; 3 cents on each arroba o f
tobacco in le a f ; 12^ cents on every thousand segars.
From the Havana official gazettes it appears that an additional duty o f
one h alf per eent was levied on imports and exports, on the first day o f
December last.
Tonnage duties and port charges.— Tonnage duty on Spanish vessels,
6 2 i cents per ton ; tonnage duty on foreign vessels, $1 50 per ton.




Commerce o f Cuba.

329

In the port o f La Havana, an additional duty is exacted o f 21J cents
per ton on all vessels, national or foreign, for the support o f the dredging
machine, (ponton.) The wharf dues in Havana are, on Spanish vessels,
75 cents per d a y ; other nations $1 50 per day for each 100 tons o f their
register measurement.
Light house dues, officers’ fees, & c., are not estimated, there being no
official information in the department with regard to them, except for the
port o f Baracoa.
The port charges are different in the various ports ; those for the port
o f Baracoa are g iven :
Tonnage duty
.
.
.
.
.
.
. #1 50 per ton.
Anchorage
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 12 00
Free pass at the fort
.
.
.
.
.
.
3 00
Health officer’s fee for boarding vessels .
.
. 8 00
Customhouse interpreter’s fee
.
.
.
. 5 00
Customhouse officer’s fee to visit on board, to seal
and unseal, so long as the vessel is discharging . 5 00
Opening vessel’s register
.
.
.
.
.
8 00
Register o f despatch
.
.
.
.
.
.
8 00
These are the leading features o f the tariff.
The collection o f the duties is in a very simple manner. The island
o f Cuba contains nearly 47,000 square miles, and is divided into three
intendancies, o f which Havana is the principal. The intendancy is or­
ganized into seven branches, v i z : the intendant, the superior council o f
the hacienda, the tribunal o f accounts, the accountant-general, the treasurergeneral, the administration o f the customs, and the administration o f the
internal revenue. The administration o f the customs is comprised o f the
administrator or collector, the accountant, and the treasurer. When a
vessel arrives at the Havana, she is first boarded by the health officer;
after whom comes the revenue officer, and the smuggling preventive ser­
vice. A copy o f the customhouse regulations, in Spanish, French, and
English, is handed to the captain, and a manifest required o f him o f all
the particulars o f his vessel and cargo. Every article on board the vessel
omitted in the manifest, is subject to confiscation. Within forty-eight
hours after the entry o f the vessel, every consignee must deliver a detailed
statement o f the articles coming to him, with their quantities, weights, and
measures, all reduced to the legal standard. A ll the papers and docu­
ments relating to a vessel, are stitched together in a book, with the signa­
tures and seals o f all the government officers through whose hands the
several documents pass. A copy o f this book is made for the use o f the
inspectors and appraisers ; the latter function being restrained within very
narrow limits, by a printed tariff o f all articles o f import, with a valua­
tion to each, which valuation in a great degree defines the duties o f their
ad valorem character. A s fast as the inspection and appraisement takes
place, the consignee is permitted to remove the goods, by procuring the
signature o f some responsible person to the words inscribed in the book,
“ I make m yself answerable for the duties.”
The inspection and ap­
praisement being concluded, the book is returned to the accountant’s office,
where the liquidation o f the duties is forthwith made. The payment is
then proceeded with. These payments are mostly cash ; that is to say,
on some articles, whatever may be the amount, cash is required; upon
other articles the duties are cash under $1,000. I f the amount is greater,




330

Commerce o f Cuba.

a credit o f one fourth is given for 60 days, and one fourth payable at the
end o f each succeeding month— making five months credit in all. The
security for this credit consists simply in the promissory note o f the con­
signee, without endorsement, under the responsibility o f the administrator
and the accountant, with the power in case o f a failure to convert every
other note o f the same individual into a cash debt; the individual to be
forever after incapacitated to enter goods except for cash. This system
has been in force many years, and under it no loss whatever has been
sustained by the government. Form erly the same credits required the
endorsement o f a holder o f real estate, but this was abandoned on account
o f its insecurity.
The exports o f the island produce are generally for account o f specula­
tors, sometimes for account o f European refiners, and rarely for account
o f the planters. The ch ief speculators are the United States and Euro­
pean merchants. Ship-owners, and merchants in Cuba, often take inter­
ests in cargoes, and some are shipped on account o f speculators at Ha­
vana. The produce being always purchased for cash, it is sometimes
done with the nett proceeds o f imports. Sometimes specie is imported for
the purpose ; but a large proportion is paid for with the proceeds o f bills
o f exchange. Drawers o f bills, o f good character, can always sell any
amount they may wish. When from revulsion abroad bills are slow o f
sale, returns for imports are made in produce for account o f their owners,
instead o f being made in bills drawn against the same produce for account
o f some speculator. The business o f the island is, therefore, not retarded
by that circumstance. This being the system o f business in relation to
exports, we may here annex the following table o f exports for the years
corresponding to those embraced in the table o f imports alone.
EXPORTS OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA.

Products o f the Island.
Mahogany,
Spirits from the Cane, .
Cocoa,
Cotton,
Coffee,
Sugar,
Cedar,
W ax,
Copper ore,
Hides,
Sweetmeats,
Fruits,
H on ey,1
Molasses, .
Horses and Mules,
Fustic,
Cattle,
Cigars,
T obacco, .
Other articles,
Total products,




1839.
$103,272
174,055
1,024
310,418
1,950,469
8,290,387
31,065
147,686
2,418,450
15,054
14,168
91,837
51,744
900,163
43,722
92,124
984
637,558
1,273,069
79,371

1840.
$64,398
211,051
133,885
2,143,574
11,264,367
25,901
115,311
3,706,951
6,991
10,420
94,242
55,918
1,346,820
19,388
82,564
124
535,122
1,395,689
87,979

1841.
$66,261
226,050
2,538
132,874
1,852,509
11,613,798
21,671
307,131
4,505,490
22,633
14.394
96,708
68,862
821,188
—
82,918
—
719,364
1,677,743
51,215

$16,526,620

$21,380,695

$22,281,297

—

331

Commerce o f Cuba.
Metals, SfC.
Quicksilver,
Indigo,
Cochineal, .
Coined Gold,
“
Silver,
Other metals,
Total,

1841.

1839.
9,900
210,344
254,300
850,858
874,945
—

1840.
7,461
186,061
33,955
526,322
526,778
—

326,842
765,829
39,996

2,200,347

1,280,577

1,132,667

—
—

Foreign Goods.
Cotton W ool,
“
manufacture,
Liquors,
Glass,
Fruits and grains,
Hardware,
W oollens,
Linens,
Fustic,
Peltry,
Silk,
Tobacco,
Sarsaparilla,
Other articles,

513,772
843,259
135,252
16,709
108,985
87,523
30,199
333,616
96,537
25,714
104,585
26,898
12,888
318,828

1,842,192
539,051
95,105
5,975
171,478
154,901
10,135
164,504
76,805
17,775
74,319
29,492
19,270
159,587

—
159,452

Total foreign goods,
2,654,765
Grand total exportations, $21,481,802

3,360,589
$25,941,783

510,486
$23,925,919

.

24,446
153,347
6,372
37,525
7,528
5,688
67,418
—

3,507
45,203
—

These tables give a complete view o f the nature and quantities o f the
imports and exports. W e have before remarked, that there is never an
interruption to the trade o f the island, o f a serious nature. Commercial
discredit, when it occurs, attaches to individuals, and not classes. It
arises mostly from overtrading: for instance, among shopkeepers. I f
manufactures are sent to the island in too great quantities, the sales are
made at a loss. These low prices tempt the shopkeeper to purchase to
an extent that may embarrass his payments. Again, too great specula­
tion in produce w ill carry the prices so high, that the shipper loses, and
his bills return upon him. In this latter case, however, the planter has
obtained the benefit o f the rise, having received cash, in coin, for the pro­
duce. Herein is a difference between a similar operation in the southern
states. Speculation raises the prices o f cotton, but the planter gets bank
paper, which becomes depreciated in proportion to the quantity afloat, and
the loss is sustained by the speculator where bills are returned. B y the
operation o f suspended bank paper, the whole loss is averaged upon the
community ; with a specie currency, the loss is confined to the individual.
W e may now pass to the consideration o f the number o f vessels, and
the tonnage employed in the commerce o f Cuba, the imports and exports
o f each port o f the island, with the amount o f duty collected at each, which
w ill be found in the following ta b le:—




332

Commerce o f Cuba.

Number o f vessels entered and cleared from each port o f Cuba, with the
tonnage, amount o f imports and duties collected, fo r three years.
TONNAGE ENTERED, W ITH IMPORTS AND IMPORT DUTIES.

Tonnage entered.
P orts.

Havana
Cuba
N ue vitas
Matanzas
Trinidad
Baracoa
Gibara
Cienfuegos
Manzanillo .
Santi-Espiritu
Santa-Cruz .
San Juan

221

1840.
255,430
67,274
6,091
71,071
31,138
1,693
3,962
12,604
7,945
490
2,142
389

1841.
252,251
67,252
4,963
77,573
32,123
2,426
3,689
15,253
8,804
578
2,634
293

417,017

460,229

467,839

1839.
18,436,888
3,165,422
152,647
1,868,819
1,012,267
36,407
197,840
187,935
155,142
21,677
69,497
11,255

1840.
17,713,310
2,972,497
172,263
1,863,624
990,012
57,376
156,856
310,741
152,321
17,860
83,025
10,303

1841.
18,584,877
2,671,421
186,828
1,995,311
942,661
81,832
127,588
288,732
153,072
25,869
54,732
8,484

25,217,796

24,500,188

25,122,407

1839.
237,801
53,139
5,117
67,244
28,965
1,710
4,322
7,349
8,359
1,005
1,785

Imports.
Havana
Cuba
Nue vitas
Matanzas .
Trinidad
Baracoa
Gibara
Cienfuegos .
M anzanillo.
Santi-Espiritu
Santa-Cruz.
San J uan .

Import duties.
Havana
Cuba
Nue vitas
Matanzas .
Trinidad
Baracoa
Gibara
Cienfuegos .
Manzanillo .
Santi-Espiritu
Santa-Cruz .
San Juan .




1839.
4,388,790
671,731
50,297
539,758
217.790
11,770
59,368
64,984
62,076
10,316
30,183
6,440

1840.
4,150,343
680,212
52,579
590,674
244,759
11,802
47,082
65,079
57,403
7,012
38,404
6,449

1841.
4,071,509
700,964
45,425
595,558
262,310
22,663
37,797
87,618
67,412
10,291
36,675
5,591

6,113,503

5,951,798

5,943,813

333

Commerce o f Cuba.
TONNAGE CLEARED, W ITH EXPORTS AND EXPORT DUTIES.

Tonnage cleared.
1839.
235,703
54,006
4,923
80,526
28,238
1,603
4,404
7,778
10,515
954
2,913
337

1840.
223,167
68,121
5,370
98,100
30,547
1,111
3,894
12,563
9,412
1,385
1 176
267

1841.
253,865
64,416
3,628
97,349
30,880
2,221
2,880
14,973
8,806
200
617
192

431,900

455,113

480,027

1839.
12,206,737
4,149,866
82,727
. 3,335,284
913,417
21,456
240,255
280,699
192,252
10,681
47,822
662

1840.
14,172,573
5,211,057
181,750
4,333,744
1,046,181
43,075
217,562
506,256
151,886
19,910
49,584
8,220

1841.
14,203,292
5,993,631
71,595
4,374,780
1,157,571
85,918
161,582
506,379
137,464
14,264
63,260
4,878

21,481,848

25,941,778

26,774,614

P oets.

Havana
Cuba
Nuevitas
Matanzas
Trinidad
Baracoa
Gibara
Cienfuegos .
Manzanillo .
Santi-Espiritu
Santa-Cruz
San Juan

.

Exports.
Havana
Cuba
Nuevitas .
Matanzas .
Trinidad .
Baracoa
Gibara
Cienfuegos
Manzanillo
Santi-Espiritu
Santa-Cruz
San Juan .

.
.

Export duties.
Havana
Cuba
Nuevitas .
Matanzas
Trinidad .
Baracoa
Gibara
Cienfuegos
Manzanillo
Santi-Espiritu
Santa-Cruz
San Juan .




1839.
694,337
140,271
5,602
274,537
73,369
867
17,429
20,201
14,513
1,722
6,466
250

1810.
770,359
141,042
7,780
370,336
78,761
1,759
12,679
31,207
11,251
2,090
7,880
551

1841.
702,058
117,118
6,510
346,922
89,249
4,567
10,390
28,609
10,626
911
5,446
236

1,249,564

1,435,695

1,322,642

334

Commerce o f Cuba.

Having thus far ran through the aggregate trade o f Cuba, we may now
pass to the consideration o f the direct trade going on between the United
States and that flourishing island. For this, we have compiled from the offi­
cial documents a table showing each article o f import and export for seven
years, distinguishing the kind o f duties paid on each article o f im port;
also, the foreign goods exported to Cuba, as well as those o f domestic
growth ; also, the amounts imported and exported in American and fo­
reign bottoms. The first table is comprised o f the imports. It appears, on
inspection, that nearly three fourths o f the amount imported free o f duty
was coffee, and about five sixths o f these articles subject to specific duties,
were sugar and molasses. In fact, these three articles, coffee, sugar, and
molasses, form nearly all the imports. The goods subject to ad valorem du­
ties, it would appear, consist mostly o f foreign manufactured goods return­
ed for want o f sale. The quantity and value o f coffee and sugar imported,
it appears, fluctuates with the paper inflation o f this country. F or in­
stance, in the year 1836, it will be observed, the quantity o f sugar im­
ported exceeded by 12,000,000 lbs. that imported in the previous year,
and by 20,000,000 lbs. that o f the succeeding year. It again rose
30,000,000 lbs. or 75 per cent in 1839, and again fell off 22,000,000 lbs.
in the next year. The years o f large import were years o f extended bank
circulation, and show conclusively how powerless is a tariff to protect the
sugar planter o f Louisiana, when the currency is subject to such sudden
fluctuations. In the case o f sugar, the import was less in 1840, when the
tariff had been reduced, than in 1835, before the paper inflation took
place. The same remark applies to the other dutiable articles, molasses,
clayed sugar, and cigars, and as far as the currency goes, to the free arti­
cles o f coffee, dye-woods, & c. The tables are as follows :—
TRADE BETWEEN CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES, FOR A SERIES OF YEARS.

Imports into the United Slates from Cuba.
F r e e a r tic le s .

1836.
1837.
1838.
1840.
1834.
1835.
1839.
Hides. & c.
16608
5539
1423
19223
383
3922
8509
80329
151729
W ood, dye.& c. 61059
127949
62131
68070
104657
Animals,
312
10300
9299
1824
26
212
1443
5842
20052
16839
2662
Copper,
10077
4130
1439
170576
450529
Gold,
12509
17475
7559
290347
163670
Silver,
594156
247781
114959 1357763
240218
97634
157644
Coffee, lbs. 19679457 29373665 17850736 29503553 33051651 26181489 25331888
“ value, 2356806 2290571 2180085 2957665 2929390 2623247 2408867
__
29
Cocoa,
2949
1882
2792
4676
11608
3469
40
Almonds,
9767
1470
226
431
1079
—
—
—
—
—
—
Camphor,
3620
592978
Oth’rfree art’s, 523925
644818
479741
409676
560471
524771
3582055

4311046

3066794

5288205

3822302

3620376

3557967

22603
14780
2678
3057
81,623
160856

55383
11840
2377

38471
2809
399
113
124490
208527

112705
119
5

58871
6308
70
1290

13887
203575

45605
2518
924
785
29186
369855

232359

330030

3979
13353
140
92
2312
200932

Total ad val. $285597

287062

448873

374809

345188

396569

220808

Total free,
M

v a lo r e m .

Cottons,
Silks,
Lace,
Flax goods,
Indigo,
Other articles,




—

—

—

—

Commerce o f Cuba.
im p o r t s .—

335

Continued.

S pecific.

1836.
1838.
1837.
1839.
1835.
1840.
1841.
30989
6129
142486
18801
14523
17076
16303
Wines,
1952331 2196181 2886339 2508293 2859581 2952120 2204243
Molasses,
B. sugar,lbs. 47422720 48367835 60839838 40965998 55624855 70286903 48126706
44 value, 2101319 2618844 4411086 2129414 2698663 3639961 2176965
“ clay’d,lbs. 7837071 14192361 9822753 15659455 14662273 12677591 12967463
505085 1052396
867524 1079617 1118754
44 value,
967174
837430
644263
821860 1043735 1184605
817064
797787
988409
Cigars,
1630
886
133
2470
C-’dage,twine,&c. 2389
1411
318
6898
10235
4788
265
317
50
188
Paper,
7335
26170
26908
13970
9045
13378
3927
Other articles,
Tot’l specific, 5234143
Grand total,
Am. vessels,
Foreign “

6758305 9247395 6927083 7505418 8577896
9096002 11346615 12734875 12447922 11694812 12599843
7012706 9197236 12263802 11843467 11120218 11860489
2083296 2149359
471073
604455
574594
739354

6057837
9835477
9233644
601833

E xports from the United States to Cuba.
F o reig n g o o d s.

—

—

15939
280839
64336
100052
6427
21581
27388

6493
146832
369310
130382
12368

1114
Hides,
W oods, dye,& c. 10124
128719
Gold,
14750
Silver,
28221
Cocoa,
5871
Spices,
Teas,
18443
34828
Woollens,
26402
Worsted,
353442
Cotton,
Silks,
295439
26231
Lace,
142426
Flax goods,
161539
Hemp,
Wines,
25047
Candles,
6388
Provisions,
58854
Other articles, 341745

41506
223274

Total, 1679583
Am. vessels,
833030

1439155
1111492

1822348

1986799

1788438

826425

477880

Fish,
216248
Oil,
60392
Sperm candles, 73326
Lumber,
585474
Naval stores,
16064
Skins,
12544
Provisions,
141383
Lard and hams, 654604
Flour,
530016
Bread,
11035
22209
Potatoes,
6650
Apples,
Rice,
336765
Cotton,
5081
Tobacco,
39094
33049
Furniture,
2743934

Foreign,

466
2691
386774
120373
38927
10008

—

—

85
4680
231287
2805
83108
8399
14735
16323
10947
162348
263075
12014
36394
173563
48208
18155
18851
357986

1680
151651
23440
27748
9368
3157
6486
1489
109752
255414
16971
15212
192286
25571
7107
22055
219911

1468963
1423062

1089398

973746

2047411

1079437

972555

15334

16409

31263

11768

6489

245970
71230
53476
741779
16314
12290
108908
674908
482838
19702
23043
6107
403374
54458
61747
42581

309324
127957
81171
744337
18044
4513
145243
737281
640726
22588
25209
9266
521197
32546
79753
59059

260357
104356
81262
856528
22637
8061
105519
629396
512995
14598
31956
9127
410113
172337
45034
90775

289158
113272
79313
955383
21376
4658
111532
597956
598093
16938
28052
7738
551095
183933
52860
78907

278398
113043
37996
905332
12579
77029
831393
711988
21475
33090
7498
556143
263653
66940
107309

183305
101964
79933
830558
16265
133
87527
693578
369031
13839
29295
5471
439176
1276235
48202
73817

3018725

3578214

3690264

4023866

4248329

—

221108
182344
25691
6241
204870
16559
—

—

9415
9715
173809
258172
5222
10918
384599
16139
17859
37871
233244

—

63429
—

387379
240457
3195
25336
395620
27150
1692
9807
263495

4465
116172
31071
39441
13967
4807
3383
610
60183
248090
2700
16793
128330
14642
14418
15043
259631

D o m e s t ic G o o d s .




3355051

—

336

Commerce o f Cuba.

Bro’t over, 2743934
Hats,
81674
Saddlerv,
15247
Shoes Si leather, 28769
Soap& tal.cand.233129
Iron nails,
37863
“ articles,
27604
Gunpowder,
76074
Drugs,
15542
Cotton goods,
75381
C’ m bs& buttons,24956
Umbrellas,
12998
Paper,
22240
Glass,
19203
Specie,
—
Other articles, 277969

3018725
53798
15908
21092
193388
45747
34210
110991
13738
99020
12238
7976
19240
12227
—

208189

3558214
23858
26251
6447
212834
45115
60330
54280
14285
57763
8637
11521
13270
10863
125849
377297

3355051
30150
18925
11007
177825
100725
117750
78041
20840
80653
4308
4214
13268
17047
271975

3690264
9231
18250
9559
212296
61174
126771
41572
26684
157621
7911
5274
33965
14656
1188
315559

4023866
9695
17434
12453
145436
72910
283690
3J961
21212
69950
3564
5663
20038
16291
3406
260755

—

4248329
14125
29244
15083
172582
96099
273972
11071
15809
85590
3708
973
29531
12426
2327
291976

Total, 3692553
A m . vessels, 2213724
Foreign,
1479256

3866477

4606814

4302779

4736005

4998014

5312845

2872774
1044662

4369798
231919

4076759
227024

4424994
296439

Gr’ d tot’l exp. 5352435

5506808
5839807

6367603
6080319

6175758
5519054

4616547
714924
6310515

Excess imp’ ts. 3743567

6405789
6329086

4617775
407851
6116831
6483012

3524962

This table presents the fact, that the increase o f exports from the United
States to Cuba, did not keep pace with the im ports; on the contrary, as
the sale o f Cuba produce increased, under the action o f speculation in the
United States, the balance in favor o f Cuba increased ; this balance was
settled by bills running on London, drawn against open credits and loans
there, on American account. This balance rose $2,500,000 from 1834
to 1836, and fell three millions from 1839 to 1840, giving undeniable
evidence o f an unhealthy trade. By another calculation, however, it
would seem, that the high prices o f 1839, were favorable to the United
States. For instance, Cuba gave in 1839, $711,988 for 90,000 bbls. o f
flour, which is equal to about eight dollars per barrel, and she got five
cents per pound for sugar, giving therefore 160 lbs. o f sugar for one barrel
o f flour. In 1840, however, she got 70,000 bbls. o f flour for $369,631,
being not far from $5 25 per barrel; but she sold sugar at 41 cents, giv­
ing therefore but 123 lbs. o f sugar for a barrel o f flour, making a differ­
ence o f 37 lbs. o f sugar in a barrel o f flour. It must be remembered,
however, that these values for flour are United States export values, and
prices being under the operation o f a depreciated currency, an apparent
loss was sustained in shipping.
Another remarkable feature in the tables is the fact, that the trade has
fallen into the hands o f American vessels almost altogether. The exports
in American vessels in 1834, was 60 per cent o f the whole, and in 1840
was 90 per cent. The imports in American vessels in 1834, were 80 per
cent o f the whole, and in 1840, 97 per cent o f the whole. The following
table w ill show the tonnage employed in this trade in each year.
NUMBER OF VESSELS AND TONNAGE ENTERED AND CLEARED IN THE UNITED STATES FROM AND
TO CUBA, IN EACH YEAR.

Entered.
American vessels,
do. tonnage,
do. crews,
Foreign vessels,
do. tonnage,
do. crews,




1834.
859
123274

1835.
1836.
1048
977
153280 155572
—
7976
7864
238
166
75
10284
31729
25624
—
720
1824

1837.
940
151193
7405
68
7686
579

1838.
1199
184398
9265
94
11491
870

1839.
1247
193014
9481
79
13028
845

1840.
1171
174920
8479
91
14776
908

Proportion o f Persons, 8pc.

337

Cleared.
American vessels,
do. tonnage,
ds. crews,
Foreign vessels,
do. tonnage,
do. crews,

1834.
830
129524
—

226
29954
—

1835.
950
151313
7531
173
26783
1829

1836.
1837.
1078
1050
166460 175796
8612
8680
57
81
8329
13194
511
737

1838.
1240
193746
9670
77
10618
723

1839.
1840.
1240
1227
194578 192548
9721
9559
73
93
12805
15679
811
955

The whole tonnage which entered Cuba in 1839, was 417,020 tons; o f
which 194,778 tons was American, from the United States. O f 431,903
tons that cleared from Cuba, in the same year, 193,014 tons was Ameri­
can, entering the United States. The American tonnage employed in this
trade has increased in the seven years 40 per cent, while the foreign ton­
nage has fallen off 50 per cent. This may be ascribed to judicious regu­
lations in existence concerning our foreign intercourse.
The present state o f affairs bodes a continuance o f that unexampled
growth o f trade, which has been evident between the United States for the
past few years, to the mutual benefit o f both countries.

A r t . in .— PROPORTION OF PERSONS TO TH E POPULATION ENGAGED IN

SEVEN PRINCIPAL EMPLOYMENTS IN TH E UNITED STATES,
AS EXHIBITED BV THE CENSUS OF 1840.

T h e following tables contain the number o f persons in seven employ,
ments, in the several states and territories, and in sixteen principal cities,
o f over twenty thousand inhabitants each, according to the census o f 1840.
The enumeration can hardly be considered perfect; but it is believed to
be sufficiently accurate for the general purposes o f comparison.
The results are not without interest to the merchant, who wishes to
know not only the number o f persons “ employed in commerce,” but the
localities o f the various kinds o f merchandise as they are indicated by the
number o f persons in these employments. And, moreover, the number
in the learned professions, and o f engineers, may be regarded as imply­
ing the prevalence o f a higher intellectual education ; for it is hardly to be
supposed but that most o f those in this column, have received a classical
or college education, or its equivalent. It is not however to be inferred,
that a merely intellectual, or professional education, necessarily implies
greater virtue or better morals in a community. W e regard a moral
education as important an element in a complete education as intellec­
tual attainments, and that virtue, good order, and the welfare o f a com­
munity are not the necessary fruits o f intellectual training alone.
In the first two tables we have separated the free from the slave states
and territories, in order to show the proportions in these two great divis­
ions o f the country.
29
VOL. v u . — NO. IV .




338

NUMBER OF PERSONS EMPLOYED IN SEVEN OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF THE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

P o p u la tio n
i n 1840.

Total—Free States,----

9,807,007

P rop or­ A g r icu l­
tio n .
tu r e.

1 TO
36 13,938.69
13 21.890.30
77
3,791.5.3
499
1,478.35
35
3,109.42
151
2,052.83
1.898
1,279.72
266
1,403.40
4,603
372.37
5 15,617.
2,158.33
704
233 2,943 63
782
608.92
40
5,306.67
794
38.97
217
198.67

C om ­
m er ce.

101,63(1
77,949
73.15C
87,837,
16,617
56 955
455.954
56.701
207,533
16.015
272,579
148,806
105,337
56,521
7,047
10,469

1 TO
4 .9 3
3 .6 5
3 .9 9
8 .3 9
6 .5 4
5 .4 4
5 .3 2
6 .5 8
8 .3 0
4 .8 7
5 .5 7
4 .6 0
4 .5 2
3 .7 5
4 .3 9
4.11

2,921
1,379
1,303
8,063
1,348
2,743
28.468
2283
15 338
467
9.201
3,076
2,506
728
479
355

947.26 1,751,100

5 .6 0
6 .5 2
3 .8 8
3 .4 7
2 99
3.3C
3 .3 2
2 .6 8

P erson s■

10,353

P ro­
p or­
t io n .

P ro­
p or­
tio n .

M anu­
fa ctu r es
and
T ra d es.

P ro­
p or­
tio n .

JSTav. o f
JVav. P r o p o r ­ C a n a ls , P r o p o r ­
o f th e
tio n .
L a k e s , ti­
tio n .
O cean.
l t iv e r s .

1 TO
206.02
206.36
224.05
9 1.49
8 0.73
113.00
85.32
163.51
112.40
167.20
165.14
222.97
190.01
291.57
6 4.60
121.44

21,879
17,826
13.174
85,176
21,271
27,932
173,193
27,004
105,883
4,060
66,265
20.590
13,185
6,89C
1,814
1,629

80,658

121.58

607,771 1 6.13 51,439

3,281
6,361
1,734
1,958
2,428
2.212
1,303

143.25
194.90
431.49
303.57
284.75
267.06
288.29

21,529
54,147
14,322
10,325
7,5 84
7.195
4,151

2 2.29
2 2.89
5 2.60
5 7.56
8 6 .5 8
8 2 .3 8
9 0.49

717
582
327
381
202
256
31

2 2 1 7 374.02
3.448 226.16
2.522 152.14
215 453.83
481 113.25
240 182.13

17.815
23,217
11,100
1.173
1,177
2,278

46.54
3 3.58
3 4.56
8 3 .1 8
46.28
19.18

’ 55 15,076.54
44 17,723.36
39 9 838 51
3 32,524 66
435
125.22
346.12
126

1 TO
1 TO
2 2.93 10,091
49.72
15.96
452
629 58
2 2.16
41 7,120 68
8 .6 6 27,153
30.85
5.11
1,717
63.38
11.09
2,700
114.8(1
14.02
5,511
440 74
13.82
1,143
326.60
16.28
949.88
1,815
19.23
401
194.72
2 2.93
212 7,167.29
33.31
89 7,70635
36.11
63 7 558.46
30.80
24 8 844.45
17.05
14 2 210.35
2 6 .4 6
13 3,316.30

P ro­
p or­
tio n .

T o ta l.

539
198
146
372
228
431
10,167
1,625
3.951
235
3,323
627
310
166
209
78

1 TO
1 TO P e r s o n s . 1 TO
930.97 1,889 265.63
138 985 3.61
1,438.25 1,640 173.52
1-9.457 2 .8 6
1,999.64 1,563|122.80
89,454 3 .2 6
1,983.06 3,804,193.92
212,904 3 .4 6
457 238.14
41,673 2 .6 1
472.94
719.20 1,697 176.76
92,609 3.34
238.90 14,111 172.12
689,302 3 .5 2
229.72 1,627 229.44
90,649 4.11
436.60 6.706 2 57.08
345 829 4 .8 6
1993; 2 .3 8
332.27
21.382 3 .6 5
457.85 5.6631268.31
357,947 4.24
1,093.88 2,257 31.3.88
175 678 3 .9 0
1,536.07 2,021 235.61
124,204 3 .8 3
904 234.80
1,278.70
65.273 3 .2 5
148.06
259; 119.47
10,616 2.91
552.71
305 118.11
13,126 3 .2 8

190.65

22,605

433.84 45,162 217.15 2,569,088 3 .8 1

655.53
2,130.22
2,304.02
1.560.09
2 638 88
2,307.64
11,383.36

1,528
2,952
379
348
352
758
100

307.60
419.98
1.987.91
1.708.04
1.964.19
779.36
3,756.51

1,666 282.12
3,866 320.69
1.086 693.75
1,481 401.34
1,250 553.14
1.514 390.19
1,506 249.43

101,087
388.674
235.532
212 907
222,233
189,470
146,831

4.64
3 .1 8
3 .1 9
2 .7 9
3.11
3.11
2 .5 5

302
968
1,885
39
118
80

2,745.72
805.60
203 .55
2,501.89
461.66
546.40

2,04 2 406.07
2,487 313.56
1,469261.19
301 324.16
204 267.04
203 215.33

250,273
228,233
110,165
28,127
14.533
3,311

3.31
3.41
3 .4 8
3 .4 6
:t.76
13.20

T a b l e 11.— S l a v e S t a t e s , E t c .

Maryland,...................................
Virginia,.......................................
North Carolina,...........................
South Carolina,...........................
Georgia,.......................................
Alabama,.....................................
Mississippi,..................................

470,019
1,239,797
753,419
594.398
691,392
590,756
375,651

320
1.468.8C
1,195
621 45
589
1,279.14
51 11.654 86
574
1,204.51
96
6.153.7C
14 26,832.21

Tennessee,...................................
Kentucky,....................................
Missouri,.....................................
Arkansas................ ..................
Florida Territory,.......................
District of Columbia,..................

829.210
779,828
383,702
97,574
54,477
43 712

8,050 58
103
331
2,355.97
517.11
742
41
2,379.85
1 54,477.

........

72,046
318,771
217.095
198,363
209,383
177,439
139,724

3.64
227,739
3.94
197.738
92.408
4 .1 5
3 .7 0
26,355
12,117
4.49
384 111.22

Total—Slave States,... 7,256,346
Total—Free States,---- 9.807,007

4.857
10,353

1.493 99 1,968,851
947.261,751,100

3 .6 8
5 .6 0

36.949
80,658

196.11
121.58

183.978 3 9.38
4,582
607,771 16.13 51,439

1583.66
190.65

10,471
22,605

692.99' 20,093 361.13 2,229,781 3 .2 5
433 .84 45,162217.15 2,569,088 3.81

T o t a l , ............................ 17,063,353

15,210

1,121.81 3,719,951

4 .5 8

117,607 145.08

791,749 2 1 .5 5 56,021

304.38

33,076

515.88165,255 261.48114,798,869 3 .5 5




Proportion o f Persons to the Population engaged in

P erson s.

Maine,.........................................
501,793
284.574
New Hampshire,........................
291,948
Vermont,.....................................
Massachusetts,............................
737,699
108,830
Rhode Island,..............................
Connecticut,................................
309 978
New Y o r k , ............................................. 2,428,921
New Jersey ..............................
373,306
Pennsylvania,.............................. 1,724,033
Delaware,....................................
78,085
Ohio,............................................ 1,519,467
Indiana,.......................................
685,866
Illinois,.........................................
476,183
Michigan,.....................................
212,267
Wisconsin Territory,..................
30.945
..................
Iowa
“
43,112

M i n in g .

P rop or­
tio n to
P ap u la.

T a b l e 1.— F r e e S t a t e s a n d
T e r r it o r ie s .

L ea rn ed
P r o f , tiK n g 'e r s .

WITH THE PROPORTIONS THEY BEAR TO THE WHOLE NUMBER.

N UM BER OF PERSON S EM PLO YED

IN SE VE N OF THE CLASSIFICA TION S OF THE PO PU LATION
WITH THE PROPORTIONS THEY BEAR TO THE WHOLE NUMBER.

OF THE UNITED

STATES,

Continued.
T able

III.—S i x t e e n

P r in ­

C it ie s .

P o p u la tio n
i n 1840.

P erson s.

M i n in g .

P erson s.

P rop or­
tio n .

1 TO

93^383

312.710
30,233
258,037
21,115
102,313

C om ­
m er ce.

1 TO
348

20,191

New York..............................
Brooklyn,...............................
Philadelphia and suburbs,---Pittsburg,...............................
Baltimore, Md........................

A g r ic u l­ P rop or­
tu r e .
tio n .

1 TO

1
1

4,963.65
18,116.50
8,897.82
21,115.
102,313.

8,936
5,583

2,088

112.76
2,773
1,597
22.68
70.21
3,675
4 5,278.75
77 1,328.74

11,365
1,673
8,727
589
1,991

20,153.

27.51
21.65
2 9.56
35.84
5 1.38

Louisville, K y.......................

21,210

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

1,164,189

97

Total of States and Territories, 17,063,353
Total of Sixteen Cities,........... 1,164,189

15,210
97

1,121.81 3,719,951
12,001.94
10,802

T otal , except the 16 cities, 15,899,164

15,113

1,052.013,709,149

12,001.94

28

757.50

641

10.802

107.77

39,687

JSfar o f
M a v . P r o p o r ­ C a n a ls , P r o p o r ­
o f th e
T a k e s ) dtio n .
tio n .
O cean .
R iv e r s .

1,606

13.20

'S * £
s . «

§

1 TO

1 TO

1 TO
2 .3 2
2
16.72 10,921

1,625

43,390
4,666
29,223
2,345
8,847

2 9.12
676

P ro­
p or­
tio n .

6 .9 2
20.80
7 .2 0
7 .7 6
8 .8 2
9 .0 0
11.56
26.37
5 .3 1
2 8.54

38.09

236
63
2
29
1

M anu­
fa ctu r es
and
T rad es.

P ro­
por­
tio n .

25

229

8 8 .1 7

716
302
740
248
292
25

436.74
153.08
348.69
85.14
350.38
934.56

8
2,786
112.24
978
37.04
1,460
176.7.1
9 2,346.11
592
172.82
45

12
292

975.36

2,929
307
1,723
133
554

o e
a. -» 8

P ro­
p or­
tio n .

T o ta l.

1 TO

P erson s.

1 TO

64,022
9.525
45,577
3.32£
12,35-1

4 .7 2
3 .8 0
5.66
6 .3 4
8 .2 8

106.76
150.59
149.76
158.75
184.68

226 129.47

f j §-

a ,-a ,

2^402 12.18

488

4 3.46

142 149.36

2^907 7 .2 9

29.33 133,664

8 .7 9 18,877

61.67

5,323

218.70

8,273 140.72

216,723 5 .3 7

4.58 117,607 145.08 791,749
107.77 39,687 2 9.33 133,664

2 1.55 56,021
8 .7 9 18,877

304.58
61.67

33,076
5,323

515.88 65,255 261.48 4,798,869 3 .5 5
218.70 8,273 140.72
216,723 5 .3 7

2 4.1 5 37,144

428.04

27,753

572.83 56,982 279.02 4,582,146 3 .4 6

33.08

2 10,605.

R e c a p it u l a t io n .

4.28

77,920

204.04 658,085

In connection with tables I. and II. it is necessary to make an addition on account o f the naval force o f the United States,
which is stated at 6,100 in the census for 1840. The grand total o f the whole population o f the United States therefore, in
1840, was as follow s:—
Population as per tables I. and II., .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
17,063,353
Persons employed in the naval service o f the United States,
.
.
.
.
6,100




T otal P opulation

of the

U nited S tates ,

.

.

.

17,069,453

339

_____

Seven Principal Employments in the United States.

c ip a l

340

Proportion o f Persons to the Population engaged in

The number o f persons employed in mining, in the several states and
territories, generally, is small, being only 1 to 1,122 persons. In the ter­
ritory o f Wisconsin, it is 1 to 39. The next largest is Iowa. It was to be
expected that there would be adventurers o f this description in those new
regions which are said to abound in mineral treasures. In Louisiana and
the District o f Columbia, there are none employed in mining. The pro­
portion is somewhat larger in the slave portion o f the country than in the
free states.
The greatest proportion are employed in agriculture, the number being
more than three fourths o f the whole number in the seven classes o f em­
ployment, and more than a fifth part o f the whole number o f inhabitants
in the census. With the exception o f the District o f Columbia, where the
agricultural supplies are chiefly derived from neighboring states, and in
which the number is very small, being only 1 to 112 persons, the propor­
tion employed in agriculture, from which the means o f sustenance are
chiefly obtained, is somewhat uniform through the states, being modified
by the greater or less prevalence o f manufactures and navigation, in some
o f the states. The largest proportion is in Mississippi, and next South
Carolina. With the above exception, the smallest proportion is in Massa­
chusetts, and the next in Pennsylvania. The average proportion in the
slave states is considerably larger than in the free states.
It is worthy o f remark, that in South Carolina and Mississippi, there
are more persons employed in agriculture— an employment usually as­
signed to males, though not exclusively so— than there are males over ten
years in the last state, by 10,420.
In respect to those employed in commerce, the average proportion in the
free, is greater than in the slave states; in the former being 1 to 122, and
in the latter, 1 to 197, while in all the states it is 1 to 146. The propor­
tion is the largest in Louisiana, in which state is New Orleans, which is
the depot for the commerce o f the Mississippi valley. The next largest is
in Wisconsin Territory, and the next in Rhode Island. The smallest pro­
portion is in Arkansas; the next in North Carolina; the next in Tennessee ;
and the next in South Carolina.
The proportion o f those employed in manufactures and trades, is 1 to
17 in the free, and 1 to 40 in the slave states, while in the whole country it
is 1 to 22. The manufacturing interest is large in New England and the
middle states. The largest proportion is in Rhode Island; next in Mas­
sachusetts; next in Connecticut; next in New Jersey; and next in New
York. In Rhode Island the number is about four-fifths o f the whole num­
ber o f males over twenty years o f age, and 54.05 per cent o f the whole
number o f males o f ten years and upwards.
O f those employed in the navigation o f the ocean, we find the proportion
unequal in the several states and territories ; in Massachusetts, 1 to 31 o f
the population, which is the greatest, and the number amounting to nearly
one half o f those in all the states and territories. The next greatest is in
M aine; the next in Rhode Island ; the next in Connecticut; and the next
in Florida T erritory: while the smallest proportion is in Arkansas ; nextin Kentucky ; next in Tennessee ; next in Mississippi ; next in M issouri;
next in Michigan ; the next in Indiana; the next in Illinois ; the next in
O h io;— states which are removed from the ocean ;— and next in Vermont,
which is also at some distance from the ocean. The proportion is 1 to 191
in the free states, which is much larger than 1 to 1,584 in the slave states.




Seven Principal Employments in the United States.

341

The number depends very much upon the situation o f the different states
as they border upon the ocean. It will be perceived, that more than a
ninth part o f the population o f Boston are registered as employed in the
navigation o f the ocean, that they constitute nearly a fifth part o f the whole
number in this class, and that one sixty second part o f the population o f
the sixteen cities containing 1,164,189 inhabitants, are composed o f this
class.
O f those employed in the navigation o f canals, lakes, and rivers, the
number in New York is the largest, being nearly a third part o f the whole
number, but the proportion is the greatest in Wisconsin Territory. A ll
the states and territories furnish some, and the free states a greater pro­
portion than the slave states.
In regard to the learned professions and engineers, the proportion is
larger in the free than in the slave states; and singular as it may seem,
the proportion is the largest in Iow a ; next in Wisconsin ; next V erm ont;
next New York ; next New Hampshire ; next Connecticut; and the next
in the District o f Columbia ; while the smallest is in North Carolina ; next
in Georgia ; next in Tennessee ; next in South Carolina; the next in Dela­
ware ; and the next in Alabama. W e find that in Hanover, New Hamp­
shire, where there is a college and a medical school, there are 356 o f this
class, or nearly a seventh part o f the whole population o f 2,613 ; o f whom
only eleven are colored persons; and that they constitute nearly one half
o f 860, the number o f free white males over twenty years o f age. The
number engaged in four other employments specified in the census,
is 1,225 in this town. A ll the students in the college were probably
counted, while at other places, as at Cambridge, they were not counted.
Also, at Schenectady, N ew York, the number was 362, or nearly 1 to 18
inhabitants, where all the students may have been counted. W e appre­
hend that no uniform rules were followed through the several states ; and
therefore, though the general result may be correct in respect to states,
and to the Union, there may be important errors in respect to particular
places. This remark, we believe, is also applicable to those employed in
commerce in the several towns, for we find that in some o f the towns in
which we know there are persons employed under the name o f traders, or
country merchants, none are counted as employed in commerce.
The proportion o f those employed in the learned professions, and as en­
gineers, it will be perceived, is larger in the sixteen cities than in the
whole country, as is to be expected from the nature o f the case.
The proportion o f those in these employments, in the several states and
territories, with the exception o f the District o f Columbia, where the num­
ber is very small, varies only in the proportion o f 100 to 256, to 100 to
487 ; while in the sixteen cities, the proportion is much more unequal,
being generally less, but in Lowell, much greater than in any state, on
account o f the large number employed in the manufacturing establishments
in that city. The average proportion in these cities is smaller than that
in the states and territories.
Most o f the persons included in these seven classes, are, from the nature
o f the employments, males. The whole number is 4,798,869 ; which is
more than four fifths o f 5,907,752, the number o f all the males o f ten
years and upwards in the United States, exclusive o f the naval service,
and is less by 239,353 only, than 5,038,222, the whole number o f males




29*

342

Proportion o f Persons to the Population, engaged in

over ten years, after deducting the 869,530 free white males between ten
and fifteen.'
As to the proportion o f females included in the seven classes, we sup­
pose they are mostly confined to the manufactures and trades. The num­
ber o f the sexes are not specified in the census. In some manufacturing
departments, such as the cotton and woollen factories, and the shoe busi­
ness, a large number o f females are employed.
According to the statistical tables, exhibiting the condition and products
o f certain branches o f industry in Massachusetts, for the year ending April
1, 1837, and printed for the use o f the legislature, the value o f the pro­
ducts for the year was estimated at $86,282,616 ; the number o f hands
employed, according to the returns, 117,352; and the capital employed
$54,851,643.
The following table shows the number o f females employed, as speci­
fied in the abstract o f the returns ; the rest are specified as males, or re­
turned as “ hands employed,” presumed to be mostly males.y
PERSONS EMPLOYED.

tides manufactured.
Cotton,
W oollen,
Boots and Shoes, .
Hats,
Paper,
Metal Buttons,
Combs,
Silk, .
Total,

Males.
4,997
3,612
23,702
556
568
42
254
36

Females.
14,757
3,485
15,366
304
605
21
190
80

Value of Articles.
$13,056,659
10,399,807
14,642,520
678,086
1,544,230
90,000
268,500
56,150

33,767

34,808

$40,735,952

On the supposition that the proportion o f males to females, such as it
was in Massachusetts in 1837, in respect to certain branches o f manufac­
turing industry, prevailed in respect to those employed in manufactures
and trades, according to the census o f 1840, though we think the number
o f females thus employed in the whole country, would be less, as they are
employed in those branches which prevail more in Massachusetts than in
other states, the whole number o f females thus employed would bo
234,903.
,
In the sixteen cities, the number o f persons employed in mining and
agriculture is small, as was to be expected ; and that o f those employed
m commerce is various, according as the prevailing business was com­
mercial or otherwise. In this respect, New Orleans takes the lead o f all
the rest, having almost double the proportion o f any other, as we should
expect from its situation in relation to the valley o f the Mississippi. W e
are unable to understand how that Albany, with a population o f 33,721,
has only thirty-five persons employed in commerce— a little more than 1
in 1,000 inhabitants. It will be perceived, that in these cities the propor­
tion o f merchants is considerably greater than it is in the whole Union.
In manufactures and trades the proportion is various, but greater than in
the whole country. Lowell here takes lead far before all others; and
we are a little surprised but gratified to find that Cincinnati, the queen
o f the west, among the cities, comes next in respect to this branch o f
industry.




343

Protection to Home Interests , SfC.

In the navigation o f the ocean, and o f canals, rivers, and lakes, the
number obviously depends very much upon the local situation and the
habits o f the people o f a former generation. Boston takes the lead in re­
spect to those employed in the navigation o f the ocean, having more than
four times the proportion o f any one o f these cities, and having more per­
sons than all these other cities, with not one eleventh part o f their popula­
tion. The proportion is greater in some towns in Maine, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Florida Territory. In some parts o f Mas­
sachusetts it is still greater. The proportion in Nantucket and Barnsta­
ble counties is over a sixth part o f the population. Salem has 1 in less
than 12 persons; Gloucester 1 in less than 7 ; Rockport 1 in less than 6 ;
Dennis, Wellfleet, and Provincetown, 1 in less than 5 ; and Truro 1 in
less than 4 persons. The ocean may be said to be almost the home o f
some o f the people o f certain towns in N ew England.
O f all these cities the proportion o f those employed in the navigation
o f the ocean is 1 to 62 persons, while in the whole Union it is only 1 to
305.
O f those employed in the navigation o f canals, rivers, and lakes, Cin­
cinnati has the largest proportion. These cities have a much larger pro­
portion than the whole country.
As to the learned professions and engineers in these cities, the largest
proportion seems to be in N ew York, as is to be expected ; next in Cincin­
nati ; next in Rochester; next in A lbany ; then Providence ; then Louis­
ville ; then Philadelphia.
The smallest proportion is in Washington ;
next L o w e ll; next New Orleans. The proportion in these cities is con­
siderably larger than in the whole country.
In respect to the whole number in these employments, Low ell takes the
lead ; nearly half o f its population are included in the seven classes.
Next comes Cincinnati; next B rooklyn; next Richmond. Washington
has the smallest proportion ; Albany n ext; Charleston n e x t; and Balti­
more next. Singular as it may seem, the proportion is smaller in these
cities than it is in the whole country, and o f course than in other parts
o f the country. In these cities there are in these employments 100 to 538
persons; in the whole country 100 to 3 5 6 ; and in other parts o f the
country 100 to 347 persons.

A r t . IV .-P R O T E C T IO N

TO

HOME

INTERESTS

TH E

TRUE

POLITICAL

ECONOMY OF TH E UNITED STATES.
To the Editor o f the Merchants’ M agazine :
S ir — The free and independent character o f your Magazine inviting a
candid discussion o f topics interesting to the great body o f American read­
ers, by whom it is liberally encouraged, induces me to offer the following
address for publication ; not because I suppose that the doctrines it contains
and the objects professed in it will gain the unanimous assent o f the pa­
trons o f your useful journal, but because you have a class o f intelligent
and untrammeled readers on the subject o f political economy, including
those honestly differing on the policy o f Free-trade, so called, and the
Home Protective system, who will fairly judge whether there be any merit




344

Protection to Home Interests the True Political

in the principles herein set forth. The party papers o f the times are cold
friends to any disquisition, or free association that professes honestly to
have a neutral character, even i f it is strictly patriotic in its tendency.
Ultraism in every thing is the fatal folly o f our countrymen. Truth must
be spiced to make it palatable, reason tricked off in fashion’s frippery, and
patriotism metamorphosed with some party-livery, or they will find little
chance o f printers’ favors or public approbation. Americans scarcely
seem to feel that they have a country and a destiny o f their own, and
duties to perform as Americans o f the highest value and consequence.
Political capital is every thing— national character a secondary consider­
ation.
Thus having no home, as it were, for the soles o f our feet, many o f our
countrymen appear actually driven to foreign protection for a solace.
Foreign nations are espoused by u s ; foreign dogmas, uncongenial to our
time and country, are caught up and republished here as sacred truths.
Every thing about us must bear a cosmopolite character, or at least be
stamped with some party brand, to prevent its being “ flat, stale, and un­
profitable.”
But every thing is perhaps too strong a term to use, for in the present
instance I turn to you, sir, and to the pages o f your Magazine, as a re­
freshing exception to the general vogue. And I trust that your example
w ill be more generally followed, and that we who profess to be a “ free,
sovereign, and independent people,” may in future give more proof o f our
consistency. O f foreign and party vassalage w e have had enough, and
although I am w illing to admit the freest international and commercial in­
tercourse, on reciprocal principles and a proper party spirit at home ; yet,
for one, I long to see a home-bred, sturdy sense o f native patriotism im­
buing our citizens generally, and the union and honor o f these six and
twenty states— nations as they are, advancing “ terribly peaceful as they
g o ” to the consummation o f their great destiny— a subject o f hearty pride
to all Americans.
The home league associations in the United States, now spreading like
the temperance societies, are neutral in their creed as to politics, but
pledged to principles strictly national in their character. Tim e w ill show
their influence.
B y giving circulation to the following notice you will confer a favor on
the writer.
h.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOME LEAGUE.

The friends o f American industry throughout the Union are apprised
that during the last annual exhibition o f the American Institute in this
city, an association was here formed by a convention o f citizens from all
parts o f the country, denominated “ T he H ome L eague f o r the protection
o f American Labor and the promotion o f reciprocal Commerce.” It was
composed o f representatives from the agricultural, manufacturing, com ­
mercial, and industrial interests generally, without reference to any sec­
tional or party bias. Its principles and objects are now known. A wide­
spread influence and the formation o f more than a hundred auxiliary
leagues, co-operating in the diffusion o f useful information and the advance­
ment o f our domestic concerns, are sufficient proofs o f its utility and welltimed establishment.
It is now the duty o f the central committee, appointed by and in behalf




Economy o f the United States.

345

o f the primary league, to announce to its associate branches and to the
public generally, that the first annual meeting for the choice o f officers
and the transaction o f business appertaining to the association will be held
at the Lyceum o f Natural History, 563 Broadway, in this city, on4he 13th
day o f October next, at 11 o ’clock, A . M., when a general attendance o f
its members, and those who wish to become such, w ill take place without
further notice.
An address to the people o f the United States, setting forth the general
views o f this association, has already been circulated throughout the coun­
try, and has met with marked approbation. From an institution scarcely
yet a year in existence, it cannot be expected that any boast will be made
o f what it has done, and still less of. what it is likely to achieve. N o ban­
ners are displayed to aid party strife or to excite popular commotion ; but
converts from all parties and associations in all sections o f the country
have joined its ratjjts with a proper spirit o f independence, to establish,
peacefully and permanently, a union o f interests distinctly A m e r i c a n , in
opposition to those anti-national and unpatriotic dogmas which have lately
been undermining our character and prosperity as an independent and
sovereign people.
In the two conventions, which have been held in furtherance o f its ob­
jects, a harmony o f action and ^consistency o f conduct were manifested,
which not only proved the Home League to be above servility to local
and party prejudices, but by the diffusion o f a mass o f useful and timely
information, and the fearless expression o f sound and patriotic views, an
interest has been everywhere awakened in its favor, so that now its
warmest ^advocates are among those who first questioned its utility, and
derided the possibility o f its independence. The statistical facts collected
in the course o f its numerous meetfngs in this city, aided by publications
giving the result o f their discussions to the people at large, have essen­
tially aided in the formation o f a tariff as indispensable for revenue and
the basis o f a sound currency'as for protection to domestic industry. The
baneful and deceptive doctrines o f free trade which an insidious foreign
rival w as commending to our adoption, without deigning to prastice them
herself, have here been successfully combated, and it is now no longer a
heresy to protect our home concerns or to foster a commerce that is truly
reciprocal.
T o carry on the great objects for which such an association was formed,
and is so manifestly qualified to promote, the central committee feel them­
selves privileged to urge upon their fellow-citizens o f all parties and in all
the states throughout the Union to continue the efforts already commenced,
and to form state and county leagues to aid in completing the good work
thus auspiciously commenced. Much yet remains to be accomplished,
which the narrow aims o f party discipline would neglect or subvert to its
own selfish purposes. A special vigilance is necessary to watch those
who are the chosen guardians o f the public weal, to see that our legisla­
tors accomplish the work for which they were appointed, and should their
patriotic efforts to relieve our present embarrassments be defeated, to hold
ourselves in readiness to call public meetings for the protection o f our
home interests, at all hazards to sustain those and those only who consti­
tutionally enact laws for the relief o f our suffering country, and to prevent
our birth-right from being bargained away for the offals o f foreign free




346

Protection to Home Interests the True Political

trade— these are some o f the duties and privileges that-belong to The
Home League, and which it will faithfully perform.
It is one o f the cardinal principles o f our association that the govern­
ment and people o f this country owe it to themselves to protect American
industry and enterprise, wherever and however developed. With advan­
tages greater than any other nation possesses, the United States have right­
fu lly assumed a higher stand, and are bound to maintain a loftier and freer
character in a moral and political point o f view than any other community.
Our laboring classes especially set out to be better educated, better clothed,
and better fed than the oppressed operatives o f foreign countries. But to
maintain this ascendancy at this moment is no easy task. Low labor and
low prices prevail everywhere. The old world seems going generally into
a state o f liquidation, and there is scarcely an article we produce or manu­
facture which cannot or may not be produced in some foreign country at a
less price than we can produce it here. Our carrying trade too, and our
fisheries, and in short all the labor o f our hands, are interfered with when
placed in competition with the depressed labor o f Europe, or that o f its
lower reduced colonies.
Now, unless our working men are ready to abandon the benefits o f edu­
cation, the comforts o f decent apparel, and the wholesome living to which
they have been accustomed, we must guard against foreign competition by
securing a preference to the labor o f our own citizens, whether native or
naturalized, and to our legitimate home interests. W e have no other al­
ternative, for the benefit o f the laborer or capitalist; for it cannot be doubt­
ed that it is for the interest o f the capitalist to pay a higher rate o f wages
to the free American who supports himself independently, rather than to
give lower rates to such degraded and pauper dependents as are main­
tained by poor laws in foreign countries. N or will the delusive doctrines
o f free trade help us. That demands the exchange o f labor for labor— an
eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, whatever be their character. It is
only by a judicious protection to our own skill and industry that our
working classes can be secured in their privileges. The half-starved,
half-clothed, and ignorant foreign serf can and must work cheaper than
we do, and o f course the purchasers o f his labor will, in an open market,
have an advantage. It is worse than idle to be blind to this conclusion.
The rates o f labor form the standard o f value whereby to estimate the
moral and mental improvements o f a nation in comparison with others.
Skill, talent, industry, order and enterprise create capital. Good govern­
ment protects these ; and just in the same w ay that a superior workman ob­
tains higher wages than a poor one, so does a nation, possessed o f the above
advantages, take the lead o f other nations, and as long as it can maintain
a high rate o f wages by the above means, it will be pre-eminently pros­
perous.
But the representative o f this value o f labor being money, it should be
measured by a uniform standard, and not by a fluctuating currency, which,
it is said, is the cause o f the present distress. Now, what is the existing
state o f our money value as the representative o f other values ? W e have
no national bank. The business o f the government is done upon a specie
basis. The currency o f those states which have any paper is nearly
equal to specie. If the wages o f labor therefore decline, it will not be
owing to banking in any way. For the future, i f we behold our laborers
without employ, trade paralyzed, and the wages o f all our working classes




Economy o f the United, States.

347

going down, we must impute these evils to some other cause than that
arising from a paper currency. A real want o f work at home in conse­
quence o f employing operatives abroad to work for us, paid by our specie
or the products o f sectional and not general labor, is the true cause. Look
where we may, we witness this result. The dismantled state o f our Am e­
rican shipping, the monopoly by foreigners o f what little carrying-trade
there is, the suspension o f our manufacturing enterprise to give employ­
ment to needy operatives abroad, the restricted trade and non-intercourse
between all parts o f our once flourishing country, the plethora attributed to
over-production and diminished consumption in our agricultural and me­
chanical pursuits, the downward tendency o f all values save that o f mo­
ney, whereby capitalists alone are benefited, and they but transiently, the
exposure o f the destitute to crime and suffering, the destruction o f princi­
ple, so prone to follow that o f property,— these are actual miseries, which,
lor the want of a protective system, the American laboring classes are
doomed to see and feel.
But the committee fully believe that the country is not compelled to
submit long to this degraded condition. There is no need that our young
and puissant nation should be overlaid or overreached in the throes o f dis­
tress which now convulse the starving millions in the old world ; nor,
however deeply we may commiserate their sufferings, is it necessary that
we should throw ourselves into their wretched condition. That policy
which seeks to level the wages o f free American labor to a servile or pau­
per standard, cannot be tolerated by our industrious and better educated
citizens. The high character assumed by us is capable o f being sustained.
The bounties o f Providence now everywhere smile upon our fields. Skill,
enterprise, the will and strength to work, the advantages o f education and
freedom, which, with proper encouragement, are odds in our favor against
the world, a cheap soil and every variety o f climate, secure to us success
if we only have the wisdom to embrace it. Some concessions and altera­
tions may have to be made by us to the changing state o f circumstances,
but it is by a protecting and fostering care over our home interests, that
we shall be enabled surely and permanently to regain our prosperity. A
national commerce among ourselves must be encouraged. A motivepower from our own government must come in the shape o f a protective
tariff, equal in its countervailing power to all the emergencies we may be
thrown into by foreign interference— a tariff securing home industry and
home competition, not for the benefit o f monopolists nor o f the government
merely, but f o r the whole country, rewarding labor, remunerating capital,
and equalizing prices. This, as we believe, is the necessary result o f the
system we advocate, the league and the only league we are bound to.
The statistical reports emanating from our last convention, have already
done much to convince the public o f the ability o f our countrymen, with
proper protection, to sustain themselves as a free manufacturing, agricul­
tural, and commercial people. W e now invite the various branches o f
our association to continue to furnish such reports, and to correct any
errors which may have appeared in those already published. Let the
employed operatives meet in their respective districts to consult together,
and devise the means to give a new impulse to the hand o f la bor; let them
appoint delegates to express their wishes and views at the convention, and
co-operate with us to restore to the country its former prosperity. Let
the farmers o f the interior look at the state o f the republic, and having a




348

Morals o f Trade.

regard to the whole country, let them meet us through their delegates, to
represent their feelings in behalf o f American industry, and o f those
classes who furnish a market for the productions o f the soil and prevent
them from being dependent on foreign workshops for fabrics o f the first
necessity. A due preparation o f measures to be acted upon at our next
meeting, will essentially facilitate the execution o f what will there have
to be adopted, and as every interest in the country is deeply connected
with the protection o f labor and the prosecution o f reciprocal commerce,
w e trust our citizens generally will unite in our patriotic labors
The committee in conclusion will only repeat, that in whatever section
o f tlie country these sentiments may be promulgated, whatever party, or
whatever trade may espouse them, it is hoped implicit faith may be placed
in their sincerity, and if delegates are appointed to meet us, that they will
bring with them a determination and the means to carry out our views.
W e again assert what was contained in our former address, that “ to pro­
mote domestic interests the Home League was established, without refer­
ence to party distinctions, and to impress upon our public representatives
the propriety o f guarding and promoting those interests, our efforts will be
directed. The occasion is propitious and the necessity urgent; and we
call upon all those who love their own country above all others, who pre­
fer domestic to foreign interests, to unite their exertions to ours, until the
concentrated efforts o f the friends o f American interests shall be crowned
with complete success, and a policy truly American and national be found
to prevail in every department o f our government.
J oseph B lunt, N . Y .
Melvin C opeland, Conn.
C. C. H aven , N . Y .
B enjamin R eeves, Pa.
A donikam C handler , N . Y .
W m . B. K inney, N . J.
G eo . B acon,. N . Y .
G eo . B. H olmes, R . I.
R . H. P ruyn , N . Y .
T . B. W akeman , N . Y .
H enhy B urden, N . Y .
L . D. C hapin , N . Y .
C harles S. M organ, Va.
W m . G. L ambert, N . Y .
Central Committee.

A r t . V.—M ORALS OF T R AD E.—No. V H

W ere we to omit to consider, before we conclude these papers, the
general motives that induce to the occupation o f the merchant, they would
be more imperfect than they are necessarily from the periodical division
o f the subject.
It has been attempted to show that some o f the customs o f trade are^
fundamentally wrong ; that they cannot bear the test o f those great moral
principles which must lie at the foundation o f all permanently successful
action. In no spirit o f censure, but in respect for justice and right, we
have spoken o f long-established customs as wrong. And it is believed
that an easy solution o f the question, “ How did these customs gain their
authority with the business community V ’ is found in the nature o f the
motives which, in nine cases in ten, lead young men to the choice o f their
occupation.
And here the successful merchant w ill laugh in our face, and hardly
repress a sneer, when we say, that the motive o f amassing wealth merely,




Morals o f Trade.

349

is an unworthy one ; that the great business o f the trader is not to make
money. Now it is generally understood that this is the motive that ought
to inspire h im ; and we have not yet recovered from the effect o f that
juvenile literature, which almost always ended the last chapter by putting
the good hoy in a carriage and four, with a great man}' servants about
him, and attended by a tall lady, with a long plume in her hat, as his
wife, the possessor o f unbounded wealth. The making o f monev has been
held out as the crown o f virtue, the great end o f life. You must do this to
ensure success in business ; and you must not do that, because it will injure
— what ? your conscience ? n o ; your character ? no ; because it is a sin
against right? n o ; what then? My good sir, it will injure you in your
business. And this has been the language o f the moral corner o f the
newspaper, the burden o f “ maxims for rising in the world” to be found in
counting-house m anuals; indeed it has too often been the language o f
parental counsel and advice.
Is it not a fact that too large a ratio o f our population is engaged in
trade ? If it is so, then it follows, as a matter o f course, that evil will
arise from it. If all are successful in this disproportion, they must be so
by breaking into the rights o f some other departments o f human indus­
try ; there is want o f balance, and there must be disorder. The evil may
be patched up and be made to wear a fair outside ; but it is an evil, and
will produce disorder, sometimes here and sometimes there. As when
some one o f the essential organs o f the body is diseased or clogged, pain
follows, sometimes o f one kind and sometimes o f another; in one, disturb­
ing the digestion; in another, affecting the lungs; so in the body politic
from overtrading, or overproducing : then follow evils which are not traced
always to their true cause. They are attributed to the times, to the gov­
ernment, to providence, to any cause that shifts the responsibility from off
the shoulders that ought to bear it.
Bad customs creep into trade to make amends for some fau lt; as men
cure a burn by fire and remedy poisons by poisons. Hence many con­
ventional rules, when judged by abstract principles o f justice, are found
to be false and immoral.
But why happens it that so large a ratio o f the population o f the United
States are engaged in trade ? W here lies the charm that turns so many
of the young men into the counting-room, so many o f the tender boys be­
hind the counter ? Is it not that making money is the peculiar business o f
our people ? Trading is encouraged among boys by their parents. The
farmer likes to see his son cute at swapping knives and kites, and winks
at the grasping urchin when he carries eggs the hen did not hatch to the
store, and argues from his young deviltry great hopes for his future use­
fulness and honor. Now money is a sure means o f influence in this
country or any other. Property will have power. It ought to have it.
It 'has it by the law o f God. It is a law o f nature. But in a republic
where any office is possible to any man, is it strange that that which most
quickly and most surely gives influence should be especially regarded as
desirable ? Is it strange that the accumulation o f money should be taught
among the earliest lessons o f youth, as their chief aim and surest road to
consequence and influence ?
Many persons are fond o f grounding their arguments against republican
institutions, in the divine right o f kings and the natural inequalities in
human condition ; and they tell us, we cannot last long as a republic, for
VOL. v n .— no . iv.
30




350

Morals o f Trade.

this and that reason. I f we are in any danger it is from this cause, and
not from the ones they assign ; from using corrupt means to gain power
and influence ; from dishonesty and fraud in trade, to make that money
which will elevate the possessor. This is the great danger we ought to
fear as a republic, too great a thirst f o r money, and too little scruple how
it is acquired. With us emphatically it may be true, that “ the love of
money is the root o f all evil.”
It is constantly asserted that intelligence alone can render our institu­
tions permanent; but what do we mean by intelligence, unless that faculty
o f putting a right estimate upon things; o f valuing money as second to
virtue and honesty ; o f clinging to good principles in all respects as we do
to life ? W hat is intelligence unless it is these and more ? N ow we
have shown that every republican is tempted with unusual temptation,
from the nature o f the c a se ; that the facility o f gaining power, and rank,
and influence, by the accumulation o f money, will induce him to give it
the first place in his affections; and ambition will whisper to him short
cuts to fortune, with only a little sacrifice o f principle. Unless he is an
honest man, or highly educated moral man, will he not listen to these
suggestions ? But how is the danger increased, if besides the temptation
to give money the first importance in his thoughts, from the reasons above
stated, his early education has been such, that he is led to consider pro­
perty the chief good in life ? N ow we contend that such is the education
o f great numbers o f American youth ; and hence it is that the occupation
o f trade is crowded in every city and village in the union. I f there is a
smart lad in the district school, who is quick at figures, and has a manly
bearing and a ready wit, he is seized by some retail country merchant
and put behind his counter to be educated by hearing all sorts o f language
and stories. W e do not care to draw the picture, but appeal to the obser­
vation o f all who are familiar with the tone o f conversation generally
going on in the village store, concerning politics and religion and the com­
mon scandal, what are likely to be the impressions o f a boy in such scenes.
There the infidel takes his daily seat to scoff- at religion ; there the mad
politician vents his oaths and curses; there cases o f crim. con. are dis­
cussed with unblushing boldness, and the horrible crime o f the seducer is
treated as a good joke, while the owner o f the establishment, glad to have
his store popular, laughs and smirks at coarse wit and abscene jests, con­
tent to pocket his small profits, and make it all right at church, by look­
ing remarkably grave and devout on the next Sunday. In process o f
time the smart boy grows to a young man and goes into business on his
own account, either in the city or the country, with this kind o f moral
training. Now we ask i f it is strange that wrong customs should creep
into trade 1
W e again assert that it is generally understood, that the great business
o f the trader is to make money. The speculator rushes into the market as
the horse goeth to the battle. He smelleth the profits afar off. He braves
the fevers o f the south ; he tempts the anger o f the ocean ; he seeks the
wilds o f the Indian, and runs the hazard o f his life with strange and un­
civilized hordes o f barbarians, that he may amass a fortune. He doeth
for money what he would not do to save the life o f a brother. It is, sink
or swim, live or die, with him. He is educated to think that his social
condition depends upon this game, and he plays it desperately indeed ; and
it must be confessed that he often shows a perseverance, an ardor and en­




Morals o f Trade.

351

thusiasm that would make him a hero in a noble cause. And we often
read o f his privations, dangers, and successes with deep interest and sym­
pathy ; until coming to analyze his conduct, we find that the thirst for
gold lies at the bottom o f the action, and what would have been heroic,
becomes paltry and selfish. Our admiration is at an en d; the motive has
debased the romance into a common fact.
Now it is admitted that all pursuits take their origin in the wants o f
men ; that food is sought to appease hunger; that water is drawn to quench
thirst; that beasts are hunted for food and for clothing : but, as men have
advanced in civilization, the easy satisfying o f the mere wants o f the body
has opened other sources o f pleasure and profit; food is arranged taste­
fully in dishes that gratify the e y e ; water is drank from chased goblets;
clothing is arranged in graceful drapery, and the shelter from the storm
becomes the expressive architecture o f the temple. These are a step be­
yond the first; but there are still steps beyond, which are o f a far higher
nature than those ministering to animal gratification and the pleasures o f
sense. The great glory o f civilized life is not because it refines upon the
wants o f the body, but that it recognises the intellect and the soul ; while
the savage state, with all its wild freedom, untamed passion, and unfetter­
ed desires, considers only the physical nature. H e who uses the discov­
eries, arts, and inventions o f civilized man for the purchase o f higher
degrees and longer continuance o f the gratification o f the lower appetites,
is a baser being than the savage.
What is the motive that should govern men in trade, if not to make
money ? asks some one who has given the subject little thought, and who,
perhaps, with another, thinks the title o f these papers very queer. These
are precisely the men we design to reach in our remarks— those who have,
thus far in life, supposed that to make money was the whole object o f trade,
and so that was done without infringing the laws, very little more could be
said upon the subject.
The making o f money is an essential part o f trade, as it respects the
individual, but we would ask i f trade might not be carried on without any
one accumulating a fortune by it ? The term comes from trado, to
deliver; it originated in the custom o f exchanging the goods or produc­
tions o f one country for those o f another, and is precisely upon the
principle by which men are distributed into trades; each one practising a
certain art for the use o f the rest, and receiving in turn from each o f the
others a proportion o f their manufacture. It is the division o f labor prin­
ciple applied to a case where the individuals are nations. W e can readily
imagine a system o f exchange to be carried on, by which each nation
should receive a quota from all the others, by which the wants o f all
should be satisfied and yet no one accumulate any thing. But if one na­
tion is more industrious than the rest, and if they use the productions they
gain by the exchange to greater advantage than those who produced them;
if they apply the arts to them, refine them by chemistry, polish and adorn
them by taste and skill, and quadruple their value in various ways, here
is a legitimate gain, and this is the way money should be made. Indeed,
it is the w ay much money is made ; but where money-making is the whole
object o f life, there are other means which offer o f obtaining i t ; such as
the imitating o f foreign articles and selling them as genuine ; buying up
an article and then rising upon the price o f it, & c. W e say that these
will be often resorted to where money-making becomes the passion o f life.




352

Preferences by Insolvents.

And certainly we can imagine patriotic motives in trade ; and i f we can
manufacture for ourselves we may be glad o f it, because o f the indepen­
dence o f position it affords us as a nation, separate from all motive o f pecu­
niary gain. Indeed, we see not why it is necessary that the whole soul
o f the merchant should be bound up in his gains, more than other occupa­
tions. He may pursue it as employm ent; to support his family and the
government under which he lives ; to ensure to himself competency and
a hom e; to purchase for himself the elegancies and refinements o f life :
and when he has done these, it is very questionable if he has any moral
right to enslave his soul, in adding to an already large fortune, or to use
the influence and power his money gives lTim, to the prejudice o f others
who are struggling on in days o f small beginnings in the hope o f a com­
petency.
The business o f the trader, as well as o f the mechanic and farmer, should
hold the second place in his thoughts; the first being occupied with the
cultivation o f his moral and intellectual nature. W e see not why a man
may not engage in trade from as pure and high motives as we suppose
him to have who preaches the gospel. Both ask a support, as necessary
to their la bor; but money is not the chief motive with either. The one
may feel deeply for the temporal prosperity o f his countrymen, while the
other thinks o f their spiritual interest. Or take any o f the professions ;—
should we not think meanly o f the physician who seemed chiefly occupied
in the pecuniary profits o f his business ? Or o f the lawyer, who had no
enthusiasm for his noble profession, as an intellectual system, but should
pervert it into a means o f amassing wealth at all sacrifices ? And why,
then, we ask, shall trade be degraded from a system o f fair exchange into
a strife for loaves and fishes ?
W e trust, that as purer and higher motives induce to the occupation o f
trade, it will be freed from many o f the customs that now oppress i t ; and
besides, that there will be fewer o f those terrible fluctuations which rest
like black and threatening clouds over our devoted country.

A r t . VI.—PREFERENCES BY INSOLVENTS.

To the Editor o f the Merchants’' M agazine :
T h e Merchants’ Magazine begins to assume the position o f an arbiter
o f disputed points, and its decisions cannot be treated with indifference,
whether they are announced as the voice o f the editor, or sanctioned by
his admission. This creates a new responsibility, both in the oracle and
those who question it, involving the necessity and duty o f frank discussion.
It has not been supposed, that the habit o f putting cases in casuistry, ex­
ercised a very important influence on practical m orality; but the doubt
sprung from its abuse, and it is too evident that beyond the pulpit and the
bar, there has been little inquiry into the rectitude o f what was customary
among the brotherhoods o f social labor. The necessity o f inquiring be­
forehand what course men ought to pursue is conceded, and the topic pro­
posed is o f cardinal importance.
Is it then true, that men have been misled, hitherto, in the sentiment
which has prompted insolvents to protect certain classes o f creditors 1




Preferences by Insolvents.

353

There are some considerations involved in the relation o f the parties sup­
posed, which induce dissent from the argument put forward to discredit all
preferences. A partial view is the most familiar source o f fallacy, and
the argument in question betrays it. The obligations o f the borrower are
insisted upon to society at large, and his nearer relation to the lender and
the surety are considered as subordinate. This relation ranks as that o f
the highest confidence; and it has been and still is the common sentiment
o f the world, that the highest fidelity should respond to the highest confi­
dence. And here is found and felt, the sound, sufficient justification o f
the preference given by a failjng merchant to what are called, by way o f
eminence, confidential debts ; a name which carries in itself the force o f
a vindication o f the preference granted to them.
Another source o f fallacy is traced in the argument, which if not by
affirmation, at least incidentally, treats the lender and endorser as con­
spirators with the insolvent to defraud. And every loan and every en­
dorsement is regarded as the desperate expedient for postponing bank­
ruptcy. It will not do to say, that it treats o f cases o f insolvency, and
that this condition o f insolvency is a postulate o f the proposition. The
discussion cannot govern the relation o f borrower and, lender in the acci­
dent o f insolvency alone. If it is to exercise practical influence, it must
begin where the relation begins. Endorsements and loans are as widely
extended as civilized commerce. And the denial o f their privilege must
be made with a sure calculation o f their discontinuance or restriction. It
may well be taken for granted, that the generous exchange o f this inter­
communion among merchants at large, is beneficial to society. And if
the argument is intended to meet the whole case, it must begin by a de­
monstration o f the evil o f all faith and trust in trade.
It may w ell be doubted too, whether an early bankruptcy, in all cases
o f uncertain adventure, is for the benefit o f creditors. This assertion
seems to have been caused by too restricted a view o f facts, painfully
pressed upon us in this country for the last twenty years. It may be
granted, without yielding the whole proposition, that the mad use o f credit
here during that time, (which has vitiated trade, in common with all so­
cial employments, and melted away into one foul stream o f corruption
public and private morals,) has given plausible grounds for concluding
that the man who totters w ill resort to hopeless expedients for support.
But who does not rejoice at the stability which is procured by generous
aids to great traders overtaken by unforeseen disaster, maimed by political
convulsion, or paralyzed by commercial panics ? Every thinking man
congratulates himself, and the society with whose prosperity he is identi­
fied, with the sure instinct o f his and their interest, when public confidence
escapes the shock o f a threatened downfall. And in a preceding number
o f this publication, the necessity and duty o f shunning an avowed insol­
vency, as long as there can be a hope that effort will retrieve the threat­
ened ruin, is insisted upon. It may be safe to appeal, to the prompt judg­
ment o f practised men o f action in any walk o f life, whether it would not
be wiser to hope, that the person whose familiarity with his affairs, and
whose personal motives mingle with his efforts for success, is not more
likely to redeem from embarrassment, involved and doubtful adventures,
rather than rest upon the official indifference o f a substitute, who must be
more or less a hireling, shadowed as the name is by proverbs.
This abuse o f credit, o f twenty years, added to the want o f a stable law
30*




354

Origin o f Paper Money.

o f bankruptcy, undoubtedly caused a fatal facility in unfair assignments.
But the result seems not chargeable upon the relation o f borrower and
lender, or surety, or their conceded privileges according to u sage; it is
due to wider influences, which could not be enumerated here.
So strong is the conscience o f men on this point, that judges in chancery
have assumed it as a necessity o f our moral nature ; and presuming
that the proclivity o f the insolvent, would be always sufficiently distinct
in favor o f his near associates, have been prone to lean on the other
side, and decree that he who trusts most should suffer most. Th ey hope
in this way to approximate the equality which they are fond o f consider­
ing as equity. The protection o f his friends is left to the impulses o f the
unfortunate. As these officers are called to represent generally the com­
munity o f creditors, their tendencies are consistent with their function.
Th ey hold the position adverse to that o f the insolvent and his confidential
friends, and so far from fixing the rebuke o f injustice and immorality upon
fidelity in this relation, they imply the reasonableness o f the privileges
now opposed. But does not the very name o f fidelity conclude the argu­
ment. A fidelity not narrowed, as it might seem upon superficial views,
to partial and inferior obligations, but extended as widely as the mutual
dependence o f men in society, and forming the basis o f all commercial
faith and trust.
L ooker-on.
Charleston, S. C.

A r t . VIL—ORIGIN OF PAPER MONEY *

T h e celebrated traveller, Marco Paulo, o f Venice, was the first person
who announced to Europe the existence o f paper money in China, under
the Moguls. It was subsequently introduced by the Moguls into Persia,
where their ntoes were called djaou, or djaw, a word evidently derived
from the Chinese word schaio.'j"
The fact o f the Moguls having, in China and Persia, made use o f paper
money, has induced many authors to suppose that they were the inventors
o f it. The celebrated Schloetzer, o f Gottingen, for instance, has publish­
ed a dissertation under the following title : “ The Moguls inventors o f paper
money in the 13th century.”
This learned man, however, would have
avoided such an error if he had perused the history o f Tchinghiz-khan,
and o f the Mogul dynasty in China, composed from the Chinese authorities
by P. Gaubil, and published in the year 1739, about 60 years before M.
Schloetzer wrote his work. In this history he speaks o f the suppression o f
the paper money, which was in use under the dynasty o f the Soung, who
reigned in China previous to the M ogu ls; and he also mentions a new
species o f notes which were substituted for the ancient, in the year 1264,
by the minister Kia-szu-tao. The original financial speculation o f the
* Translated from the French o f Julius Klaproth, as read by him to the Asiatic Soci­
ety, in their sittings o f the 1st o f October, 1822.
t The Chinese character is composed o f kin, (metal,) and chao, (little,) and is thus
intended to signify the want o f specie. It is very remarkable that the Chinese use this
word also when they wish to convey the idea o f taking any thing by force, or robbing
another person o f his property.




Origin o f Paper Money.

355

Chinese ministry, to provide for the extraordinary expenditures o f the
state, which was exceeding the revenues, was in the year 119 before the
Christian era, under the reign o f the emperor Ou-ti, o f the great dynasty
o f Han. At this period was introduced the phi-pi, or value in skins.
These were small pieces o f the skin o f deer, which were kept in a pan
within the precincts o f the palace. T h ey were a Chinese square foot in
size, and were beautifully ornamented with painting and embroidery.
Every prince or grandee, and even the members o f the imperial family,
who wished to pay court to the emperor, or who were invited to any public
ceremony or repast in the palace, were obliged to cover with one o f these
skins the tablette which they held before their faces in presence o f the son
o f heaven.
The minister o f the household had fixed the price o f these skins at a
sum equal in English money to about 12 guineas. Th ey were current
at this price in the palace and amongst the nobles, but it does not appear
that they were ever used in trade, or by the people. Matouanlin states,
that from the year 617 o f the Christian era, to the end o f the dynasty o f
Soui, the distress and disorder in China having reached their height, every
possible substitute for money was used. He particularly mentions small
pieces o f round iron, bits o f cloth, and even pasteboard. At the com­
mencement o f the reign o f the emperor Hiant-soung, o f the dynasty o f Kang,
which was about the year 807 o f Christ, copper money being exceeding
rare,* the use o f that metal for any domestic purpose was prohibited.
The emperor compelled all traders who arrived in the capital, and, gener­
ally speaking, all moneyed persons, to deposit their cash in the public
treasury; and for the facility o f trade, they received in exchange a sort
o f promissory note or bond, which was called fey-thsian, or flying-money.
At the end o f three years, however, the use o f this paper money was sup­
pressed as to the capital, and it had currency only in the provinces.
Kai-tsu, the founder o f the dynasty o f Soung, who ascended the throne in
the year 960 o f the Christian era, allowed traders to deposit their money,
and even their goods, in the imperial treasury, and gave them in exchange
a note, which was called pian-thsian, or convenient money. These notes
were eagerly sought after in consequence o f their convenience. In 997
the quantity o f paper money in circulation represented 1,700,000 ounces
o f silver; and in the year 1021 the quantity was increased to 3,000,000
ounces. It was in the country o f Chou, which is, in our days, the prov­
ince o f Szu-tchhouan, where the true paper money, as a substitute for
money, without being guarantied by any sort o f mortgage or;security, was
first introduced.
These notes were introduced to supply the place o f iron, which was
found to be too heavy for commercial and general purposes.f Th ey were
called tchi-tsi. Under the reign o f Tchin-tsoung, from the year 997 to
1022, the example was followed, and new notes were made, which were
called kiao-tsu or change ; they were payable every third year, so that in
* The scarcity o f copper arose from the vast quantity o f this metal used for bronze
images, sacred to Fo, and the saints o f his religion.
sect, copper became more plentiful.

Thus after every persecution of the

t The first iron money was made in China by the rebel Koung-sun-chou, who died
36 years after Christ. It was not until the year 524, however, that his example was fol­
lowed by the Chinese emperors.




356

Origin o f Paper Money.

65 years there were 22 periods for payments: each kiao-tsu was equivalent
to 1,000 deniers, and represented an ounce o f pure silver. Sixteen o f the
principal houses in the empire were at the head o f this financial operation ;
but, in the end, these persons were unable to fulfil their engagements, and
became bankrupts. The emperor, in consequence o f the distress which
this failure brought on the public, abolished all the notes o f this society,
and resolving that in future no individuals should have the power o f cre­
ating paper money, established a bank at Y-tcheou, for notes. Towards
the year 1032, the quantity o f paper money in circulation, in China, re­
presented 1,256,340 ounces o f pure silver. In 1068, some daring specu­
lators began to counterfeit the notes o f the government, and a great num­
ber o f forgeries were discovered. The authors o f the fraud were subjected
to the same punishment as that which the law decreed against those who
forged the seals o f the state. In course o f years, hanks were established
for the issue o f notes, in various parts o f the empire ; the notes o f one pro­
vince, however, were not current in the other, and the whole mode o f cir­
culation and liquidation was frequently altered. Under the emperor
Kao-tsoung, in 1131, the government was desirous o f creating a military
establishment at Ou-tcheou, but as the funds necessary for the undertak­
ing were received very tardily, the mandarins who were intrusted with
the management o f the plan, proposed to the Hou-pou, or minister o f the
treasury, to issue kouan-tsu, or notes, with which they might pay those
who supplied provisions to the army. These notes were payable at an
office opened for the purpose, but they gave rise to many abuses, and
caused the people to murmur ; not long afterwards, however, similar notes
were put in circulation in other provinces o f China.
In 1160, under the same monarch, the Hou-pou created a new paper
money, which they cal ley] Hoei-tsu, or agreements. In the commence­
ment these notes were only current in the province o f Tche-kiang, and its
immediate neighborhood, but they soon became general throughout the
empire. The paper which was used for them, was at first manufactured
only in the cities o f Hoci-tcbeou and Tchi-tcheou, o f Kiang-nan, hut ere
long it was made in several other places. The first Hoci-tsu were like
the paper money previously in circulation, worth 1,000 deniers, or an
ounce o f silv er; in the following reign, however, they were made for 500,
300, and 200 deniers. In the short space o f five years there were
28,000,000 ounces o f notes in circulation, and in the space o f the following
eleven months, the quantity was further increased by an issue o f notes to the
amount o f 15,600,000 ounces. During the existence o f the same dynasty,
the amount was increased annually ; besides these notes, there were the
kiao-tsu, and the other paper money peculiar to the provinces, to such an
extent, that the country was inundated with notes which daily decreased
in value, notwithstanding the modifications which the government had
recourse to, to prevent it. In the reign o f Ly-tsoung, o f the same dynas­
ty, in the year 1264, the minister Kia-szu-tao, seeing the low value o f the
notes, and the high price o f provisions, called in a great quantity o f the
former, and supplied their place with new notes, which he styled ynkouan, or money lands; but notwithstanding all the exertions o f the minis­
ter, he was unable to raise the value o f the notes, or to reduce the price o f
provisions. Whilst the last emperors o f the Soung dynasty now retired in
the south o f China, the north o f the country was under the dominion o f the
Niu-tchy, a race who had formed a new empire under the name o f Kin,




Origin o f P aver Money.

357

or the Kingdom o f Gold, their princes are spoken o f by the Arabian and
Persian authors, under the title o f Altoun-khan. The continual wars in
China had impoverished all the provinces o f this fine country to such an
extent, that copper was become exceedingly scarce in the kingdom o f Kin,
and recourse was had to a bank for the issue o f paper money, on a simi­
lar plan to those which have already been noticed. The notes for 2, 4,
8, and 10 ounces o f silver, were called large notes, and the smaller were
for 100, 300, 700, and 900 pieces o f copper. The period o f their cur­
rency was fixed for seven y e a rs; at the expiration o f this term the old
notes were exchanged for new ones. There were banks in every pro­
vince, and the government took fifteen pieces o f copper on every 1,000 to
cover the expenses. Towards the latter part o f the thirteenth century the
Moguls became masters o f China, where they founded a dynasty which
lasted from 1279 to 1367. Before the entire conquest o f China, Chi-tsou,
the first emperor o f this dynasty, had introduced paper money, (between
the years 1260 and 1263.) In 1284, he commanded the mandarin, Louchi-joung, to present him a plan for a new paper currency, but the emis­
sion o f it did not take place until the year 1287; from that period the Mo­
guls continued annually to increase the quantity o f their notes, which
were called pao-tchhao, or precious paper money. From the year 1264
to 1294, a note was in circulation which replaced that o f 1260 to 1263,
and which were made from the bark o f the tree tchu, (morus papyrifera,)
and were a Chinese square foot in size. Towards the latter part o f the
dynasty, paper money had lost much o f its credit, and an alteration was
made in 1357, with the hope o f restoring it, but every effort was vain, and
the Moguls were obliged to quit China, which they had totally ruined by
their precious paper money. The distress o f the country was such, that
the Ming emperors, who succeeded the Moguls, were not only unable to
abolish the paper in circulation, but compelled to issue new notes. In
1375, six different sorts were issued, o f the value o f 500, 400, 300, 200,
and 100 pieces o f copper, equal to an ounce o f silver. The use o f gold,
silver, and precious stones, as a medium o f payment, was strictly forbid­
den. The value o f the notes soon fell in the proportion o f nearly 20 per
cent. In the year 1448, the quantity o f notes was so considerable, that
only three deniers o f specie were given for a note o f 1,000. Every
attempt was made, by compulsive measures, to restore the paper currency
to a better condition. The taxes on the markets o f both capitals were
even allowed to be paid in paper, but every attempt was fruitless, and the
notes went out o f circulation ; at. least history makes no mention o f them
later than the year 1455. The Mandcbous who succeeded the Ming em­
perors, and who are now masters o f China, have never attempted to intro­
duce a paper currency, for these barbarians are happily ignorant o f the
European policy, which declares that the more a nation is in debt, the
more it is rich and flourishing.*
* The notes o f the Soung, Kin, and Moguls, were made o f the bark o f the tchu,
printed and sealed by authority. Those o f the Ming were o f paper made with different
plants, and richly ornamented.




358

Mercantile Law Department.

M E R C A N T I L E LAW DEPARTMENT.
RECENT

DECISIONS

IN

MASSACHUSETTS.*

LIABILITIES OF COMMON CARRIERS.

Circuit Court.— Citizens’ Bank, libellants, vs. Nantucket Steamboat Company.— This
case came before the circuit court by appeal from the decision of the district court, which
was in favor o f respondents. The facts proved were, that a package o f bank bills was
intrusted by the bank to the captain o f the steamboat Telegraph, plying between Nan­
tucket and New Bedford, to be delivered at the latter place, but that it never reached its
destination, having been in some way or other lost by the captain, or stolen from him.
The libellants sought to recover the amount o f this loss from the proprietors of the
boat, on the ground that they were common carriers o f merchandise for hire, and respon­
sible, as such, for the default or negligence o f their agents; arid if, as carriers o f mer­
chandise, they were not liable for the safe carriage o f bank bills, yet that as the captain,
their agent, in their employment, and in the lawful exercise o f that employment, had
undertaken to carry bank bills, the company were liable for his neglects.
The respondents showed that bank bills had been frequently intrusted by banks and
individuals at Nantucket to the captains o f vessels, and to the captain o f their boat, to be
delivered at various ports on their routes; but that this was considered a mere personal
trust o f the captain’s, and that compensation had rarely been paid for these services, and
when so, it had not been claimed as a matter o f right, but received merely as a gratuity.
And the respondents contended, that in the absence o f proof that they had ever held
themselves out as carriers o f bank bills, and the custom o f captains to carry money at
their own risk having been proved, and in this case the captain of the boat having taken
charge o f these bills in his private capacity, and not as agent o f the company, nor for the
benefit o f the company, they could not be held to answer for this loss.
The court (Judge Story) sustained the grounds taken by the respondents, and gave
judgment in their favor.
United States District Court.— John Harding, libellant, vs. Owners of steamboat Ma­
verick.— This was a libel brought by the mate o f brig Souther against the owners o f the
ferry-boat Maverick, which plies between the city and East Boston, to recover for an
injury done him, through the carelessness, as alleged, o f those in charge o f the boat.
The brig was warping from one wharf to another, and had a warp running across the
dock to and from which the ferry-boats run ; but before he could get his vessel across,
the ferry-boat returned. Some one called to him, “ Slack up your line.” He proceed­
ed to do it as soon as possible ; but before he could get it clear, the boat, keeping on her
course, caught the warp and drew it out with great rapidity, and one of the libellant’s
legs becoming entangled in a coil o f the rope, he was thrown down and dragged forward
to the catheads with great force, and one o f his legs broken in two places, and the other
very severely bruised and torn.
The court (Judge Sprague) gave judgment for the libellant, and the parties not being
able to agree upon the amount o f damages, fixed them at $1,400.
PROMISSORY NOTE.

Supreme Judicial Court.— Mackay vs. Holland.— This was an action against defen­
dant, as maker o f a promissory note for $600, payable to Nester Houghton, o f New York,
and by Houghton endorsed to one Vose, and by Vose to the plaintiff.

The note was

originally given to Houghton, without consideration, and as collateral security for any
* Reported for the Merchants’ Magazine, by Allen C. Spooner, Esq., o f the Boston bar.




Mercantile Law Department.

359

amount which might become due from G. W . Holland (defendant’s brother) to said
Houghton, upon G. W . Holland’s failure to indemnify Houghton for certain advances
and liabilities which Houghton was under on G. W . Holland’s account. The note was
transferred by Houghton, after it was due. and at a time when the balance between
Houghton and G. W . Holland was in Holland’s favor.
The court said that upon these facts the defendant was clearly not chargeable, being
entitled to make the same defence in this case which he could have made to a suit by
Houghton, unless he had waived that defence by some act or admission o f his own. It
was upon an act o f this sort that plaintiff relied, v iz : that he showed the note to defen­
dant, and asked him if it was due ; and defendant said, “ I suppose I am liable, and will
pay it.” This promise, the court said, was without consideration ; and if the defendant
was liable at all, it must be on account o f some concealment, or some affirmative repre­
sentation, upon the strength o f which the plaintiff took the note. It did not appear that
defendant knew o f the state o f the accounts between Houghton and G. W . Holland at
the time plaintiff took the note, nor that he was not liable ; he had not, therefore, made
any false representation, or concealed any thing, but had stated the best o f his knowl­
edge and belief. And it did appear that when plaintiff showed the note to defendant, he
stated that he had already taken it. A party taking a note over-due and dishonored,
takes it at his peril, and is bound to know all its infirmities. On the whole, the opinion
of the court was, that the defendant not being liable on the note when Houghton nego­
tiated it, had not made himself so by any thing he had done or omitted since, and order­
ed judgment to be entered for the defendant.
MARRIED WOMAN— DIVORCE.

Pierce vs. Burnham.— This action was brought upon a promissory note, given by de­
fendant in settlement o f a judgment against her son, she being at that time a married
woman, but divorced from bed and board, and living separate from her husband. The
question was, whether the disabilities o f a married woman still adhered to her, so that
she must be sued in conjunction with her husband, and could not be sued alone. And
the court held, that a married woman, divorced from bed and board, may hold property,
make contracts respecting it, sell and transfer it, bring actions necessary to defend it, and
sue and sued. Judgment for plaintiff.
LIABILITY OF BAIL.

W ay vs. Wright and others.— In this case it was held, that the imprisonment o f the
principal, in execution o f a sentence for perjury, discharged the bail.
NON-IMPRISONMENT LAW OF CONNECTICUT.

The law recently passed by the Connecticut legislature to abolish imprisonment for
debt, enacts—
That no person shall be arrested, held to bail, detained or imprisoned, upon process,
mesne or final, founded on contract merely, express or implied, any law or custom to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Provided, That in all actions for tort, and in all actions for fines and penalties, or on
promises to marry, or for moneys collected or received by a public officer, or by any
person while acting as trustee, or in any fiduciary capacity, or for any misconduct or
neglect in office, or in any professional employment, and in all actions on the case at
common law for fraud, (and which actions on the case are hereby authorized,) alleging
Iraud against any person in fraudulently or collusively obtaining credit, or in fraudu­
lently contracting any debt, or incurring any obligation, or in fraudulently, with intent
to defraud the plaintiff in such action, concealing, removing, withholding, assigning,
or conveying away from legal process his property o f any kind, or choses in action, or
in fraudulently keeping back his money or means, on a debt admitted, or recovered by
judgment, or in withholding or refusing to disclose or avow his rights in actions or
credits, so that they may be reached by process o f foreign attachment: in all such cases
and actions, the defendant may be held to bail, arrested, or imprisoned, with the same
means o f release and discharge o f his body, as provided in said actions by existing laws.




360

Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

MONTHLY

COMMERCIAL

CHRONICLE.

A t the date o f our last number, the defeat o f the tariff bill before Congress had pro­
duced some uneasiness in the public mind. Nothing tends so much to unsettle business
and to retard activity in trade as fluctuating or uncertain governmental regulations in

relation to commercial matters.

The compromise tariff had been progressively in opera­

tion for ten years, until its own provisions were fulfilled, and its authority terminated by
limitation in July. Congress had, however, enacted no new law to supply its place.
T he executive, in this exigency, supposed itself invested with sufficient authority to col­
lect the revenues according to the general principles prescribed in the compromise act,
as those which should thereafter govern Congress in any new laws on the subject which
it might enact. In prosecution o f this view, the duties were collected at a rate not ex­
ceeding twenty per cent on the home valuation. This manner of collecting the reve­
nues led to great complaint, because necessarily done in a most arbitrary manner. In
importing French goods, for instance, the appraisers would, in many instances, persist
in valuing an invoice at thirty cents the franc as the market value o f the goods here,
when the importers would be glad to sell them at a value o f twenty-five cents to the
franc. On English goods the home valuation was arrived at by adding fifty or sixty per
cent, as the case may be, to the face o f the invoice, deducting one sixth of the amount,
and adding twenty per cent to the balance for the duties. The deduction of one sixth
was in order not to cast the freight upon the duty. Notwithstanding these difficulties
the duties were low, and were such as, perhaps, had they been legalized, would have
been best for all parties. Such, however, is the chilling effect o f uncertainty upon the
markets, that notwithstanding the probability o f a large increase in the duties, the im­
ports were small. Most unexpectedly, the tariff bill, which had been vetoed, was re­
vived and passed, with the objectionable section, repealing the conditions on which the
land distribution act o f last year was passed, stricken out. W hen this became a law,
notwithstanding the many bad features which it contained, business seemed to receive a
new impulse. A feeling o f security came over the market, and the prices o f those ar­
ticles on which the highest duties had been laid greatly improved. The direct effect of
the tariff seemed, however, to have a less beneficial effect than its indirect effect. The
passage o f the law, by removing a cause o f uneasiness that long had hung over the pub­
lic mind, gave those general causes o f reviving prosperity room to develop themselves:
these were, abundance o f goods and produce at low prices, with plenteousness o f money.
These are elements which cannot, in the nature o f things, long exist simultaneously
without producing their natural result— inactivity o f trade. The uncertain state of the
government finances had induced caution on the part o f capitalists and dealers long after
produce and goods were supposed to have reached their lowest points. The policy of
the government being once defined and developed, that cause for uneasiness was re­
moved, and the way so far cleared for action.
T he remaining difficulty is the condition o f public credit, involving the standing of
that vast banking system on which the business o f the United States has hitherto been
conducted. A revolution, deep, radical, and all-pervading has undoubtedly overtaken
that system, and wrought a change so far as to force the reviving trade into new chan­
nels, on a new basis. The attempts which were made last year to check the downward
tendency o f the paper system, and restore the old order o f things, through the instru­
mentality o f a national bank, entirely failed. The establishment o f such an institution,
with a restoration o f bank credits, cannot now be reasonably looked for, at least for five
years to come. In the mean time, the impulse which has now been given to business




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

361

cannot seriously be checked by any external causes, but will progress, roll onward, and
expand itself, calling forth the energies o f the people, developing the resources o f the
country, increasing the national wealth, and placing the prosperity of the people in a po­
sition proof against the practices o f the Bank o f England. The fact that banking credits
have nearly ceased to exist at those points where the largest collections of agricultural
products change hands, is a guaranty that most, if not all, the business which is to grow
out o f the present and future crops, must be conducted without their agency.

In order

to illustrate this we may state that from New Orleans more than one third of all the ex­
ports from the United States o f domestic growth is made, and that upwards of $50,000,000
o f the produce o f the valley o f the Mississippi is annually received at that port. With
this premise, we may now trace the banking movement at that point from time to time
since 1830, giving the monthly return for three cotton seasons since 1839, when the lasl
suspension took place, with the corresponding rates o f specie and sight checks on New
Y o rk :—
B anks

Loans.
Year. Month.
6,796,351
1830, January,
37,388,839
1835, June,
1836, August, 51,234,158
1837, January, 59,108,741
50,852,018
May,
Decemb. 55,593,371
52,058,084
1838, March,
Decemb. 56,855,610
1839, October, 49,138,700
Novemb. 48,860,902
Decemb. 49,861,143
1840, January, 52,027,697
February, 52,597,402
52,623,659
March,
50,730,457
May,
48,654,884
June,
48,437,628
July,
August, 48,558,770
Septemb. 48,537,633
October, 48,416,060
Novemb. 48,663,357
Decemb. 48.646.799
1841, January, 49,226,189
February, 48,946,163
49,165,948
March,
49,532,656
April,
48,404,535
May,
48.462.800
June,
48,351,200
July,
August, 45,952,643
Septemb. 46,143,034
October, 45,392,276
Decemb. 45,157,791
33,301,028
1842, March,
35,970,600
April,
35,443,442
June,
35,374,934
July,
August, 34,212,829
Septemb. 33,247,740

of

N e w O rleans .

Circulation. Deposits.
Specie.
1,492,674 1,301,483 2,016,560
2,828,904 5,114,082 7,106,628
2,607,587 7,130,546 11,744,712
3,108,416 7,909,788 11,487,431
2,327,821 6,586,978 10,152,711
2,729,983 7,558,465 7,426,468
2,970,723 4,734,739 8,021,137
3,987,697 6,280,588 7,657,161
2,847,487 4,341,533 4,928,076
2,768,114 5,233,136 5,182,904
2,504,725 5,526,785 6,118,651
2,525,969 5,804,130 6,048,218
2,900,375 6,683,043 6,186,526
3,154,351 6,931,224 6,525,866
3,575,228 7,112,793 7,221,554
3,533,495 6,827,226 6,670,665
3,365,635 6,558,262 6,427,671
3,614,534 6,130,284 6,297,675
3,526,300 5,781,799 6,039,300
3,432,407 5,618,545 6,308,294
3,388,298 5,916,031 6,550,889
3,160,243 6,443,785 7,020,263
3,220,973 7,369,352 7,271,285
3,422,155 7,565,595 7,564,512
3.317,123 8,046,765 8,128,261
3,355,174 8,886,356 8,789,091
3,406,108 8,849,883 8,497,507
3,406,004 8,254,171 7,859,929
3,171,806 7,502,167 7,144,185
2,912,654 6,822,668 6,306,969
3,067,348 6,264,416 5,968,585
3,013,757 6,084,375 6,081,518
2,338,524 5,870,375 4,912,252
2,296,231 4,033,162 4,819,791
2,263,900 3,707,719 4,750,153
1,084,148 1,449,950 2,130,204
1,026,847 2,384,162 3,355,066
904,737 1,922,083 2,743,322
1,208,459 1,733,114 2,619,364

Rate o f
Specie

8
74
3
4
4
44
6
6i
6
6
5
34
24
14
14
4
54
5
6
5
44
3
14
li
44
7
6
par
(l
tt
44

Checks on
New York.

2

4

24
3
4
5
6*

64
6*

6J
6
3
If

H
li

3

6
5
6i
54
4i

34
24
3
3i
4
54

1

2

34

This table gives a pretty accurate view o f the banking movement at that important
point.

The capital of all the banks in New Orleans was, in 1830, $4,665,980.
31

VOL. V II.— NO. IV .




This

362

Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

was increased to $39,943,832 in December, 1837, a period o f seven years.
was held or procured as follows :—

This capital

Procured in Europe, mostly on the credit o f the state,.................................... $20,725,080
“
“ other United States,.......................................................................
6,945,710
“
or held in Louisiana.,........................................................................... 12,273,042
Total capital paid up,.......................................... $39,943,832
This capital was subsequently increased to $41,711,214. The increase o f banking
facilities at this rapid rate was evidently in advance o f the real business o f the city,
which in the same period had increased fifty per cent only. The bank credits constantly
accumulating, sought other than legitimate channels for their employment, atx the same
time that they greatly facilitated speculators in obtaining the means o f operating in cot­
ton— the principal article o f export from New Orleans. The market for that article
became altogether speculative under the influence thus exercised ; and, by a singular
inversion o f things, the rate at the same period throughout a season would always be
higher in New Orleans, the point o f purchase, than in Liverpool, the principal market
o f consumption. Operations were always for a rise. If, through overproduction, or an
untoward state o f affairs abroad, the market was checked, a long chain o f reclamations
and discredit followed, which made its evil influence felt throughout the Union, particu­
larly in New York, where the sterling bills were mostly negotiated. During the last
few years the cotton market has been a losing one. The consequence has been that
the means o f the southern banks have been gradually locked up, until, during the last spring,
five o f those o f New Orleans found it impossible to go on even in a state of suspension,
and they failed, reducing the capital by $4,458,617. The failures of those banks were
very disastrous. Nine others, with capitals o f $29,633,190, attempted to resume, and
could not sustain it. They have now a circulation o f $1,613,000, at a depreciation o f
ten to forty per cent.

The first five failed in March last, and are now in liquidation.

Their loans and liabilities are deducted in the preceding table. The two outer columns
o f the rate o f specie and sight checks on New York indicate the depreciation o f the cur­
rency through all the period o f suspension which took place in October, 1829, the last
time. Since June last, the quotations are for specie, or the bills of the Bank of Louisi­
ana, which continues to pay. This arises from the fact that the bills of the suspended
banks are no longer taken, except for their specie value. How far those banks will be
able to recover themselves, so as again to resume, is matter o f doubt. Under the present
law, the banks are required to retain in their vaults $ 1 for every $ 3 of their bills in cir­
culation, with the exception o f the real estate banks, which are allowed ninety days.
The courts meet on the 1st o f November, and probably by that time most of them will
have complied with the requisition. W e have here then an outline o f the remarkable
manner in which capital has been drawn into banking at New Orleans, and been sunk
by the inherent vices o f the system. In all sections o f the country the same general
features have and do exist. All that capital which, during the undue excitement of the
years subsequent to 1832, was drawn into banking by the operation o f speculation in
raising prices and creating an extraordinary demand for money, has, in the general fall
o f property, ceased to exist, leaving, however, active, as much capital as is necessary
for the transaction o f business. The quantity o f money required for the interchange of
commodities may be illustrated by the comparative value o f the crops o f cotton and flour,
which are the most valuable, for the years 1837 and 1838, according to the average
market value for each year. The average crop o f cotton, for the last seven years, has
been 515,280,000 pounds, and o f flour 20,000,000 barrels. These would represent, at
the average prices, the following sums:—




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

363

1837.
Cotton, 515,280,000 lbs. a 15c. $77,292,000
Flour, 20,000,000 bbls. a $10, 200,000,000

1841.
515,280,000 a 8c.....................$41,222,400
20,000,000 a $ 5 ..................... 100,000,000

Total,...................... $277,292,000

Total,...................... $141,222,400

Here is a difference o f $136,069,600 in the money value o f two articles o f domestic
growth, requiring in so much less the facilities o f banking capital in their exchange.
The prices of both these articles depend entirely upon the foreign market that may be
obtained for them, because the production is greater than the consumption in this
country. The money price will, therefore, be the specie values o f the countries of con­
sumption, governed by the demand there. Hence the amount of capital required for
their exchange here can only bear a proportion to the quantity produced, governed by
the money price created abroad. The prices o f these two articles govern those of al­
most all others. W hen the wreck o f the old redundant capital is cleared away, which
will now shortly be the case, nothing will prevent a long season of solid prosperity.
Money has been and is very plenty. Thus far the fall trade has failed to create suf­
ficient business paper for the employment o f even the reduced bank capital of the city.
The amount o f specie is large and accumulating. It flows in from foreign countries,
and finds its way to the interior, where, after performing its legitimate functions, it will
settle at those points at which its presence is most needed.

Notwithstanding this plen­

teousness o f money, the operations in stocks have been limited for investment. The
** fancy” or non-dividend paying stocks have been quite neglected, speculation having
almost altogether ceased. Bank stocks, from the constant explosions and the develop­
ments o f mismanagement and defalcations, as well as from the decreasing business, are
no longer desirable as an investment. Since our last, one other New York safety fund
bank, the “ Bank o f Lyons,” has been enjoined at the instigation o f the bank commis­
sioners. The circumstances o f the failure afford another instance of the baleful influence
of bank credits in produce speculations.

The stocks o f the several states have not been

in demand, with the exception o f New York state and corporation. The comptroller
of the former has issued proposals for a new loan o f $250,000, seven per cent stock,
being the balance o f the loan authorized at the last regular session of the legislature.
The state o f Pennsylvania, which failed in August last on the interest of its debt, has
since advertised its public works, for the construction o f which those debts were con­
tracted, for sale, to take its stock at par in payment. That stock is nominally at forty
cents on the dollar in the market. This being the peculiar position o f the debt of the
state o f Pennsylvania, we will here annex a table o f the leading works, with their
extent, cost, and aggregate revenue and expenditures for ten years, from 1830 to 1840,
inclusive:—
C ost , R eve nu e , a n d E x p en d it u re s of t h e F inished L ines of P e n n sy l v an ia C a n a l s
a nd

R a il r o a d s .

Name and Description.
Miles.
Cost.
Revenue. Expendit.
Eastern Division o f the Pennsylvania Canal— Ex­
tends from Columbia to Duncan’s Island,....... 43 $1,734,958 $1,047,826 $422,805
Juniata Division— Extends from Duncan’s Island
to Hollidaysburg,................................................. 130 3,437,334
491,104 592,180
Western Division— Extends from Johnstown to
Pittsburg,............................................................... 105 9,964,883
887,013 889,834
Delaware Division— Extends from Bristol to
Easton,.................................................................. 60 1,374,774
586,515 638,831
Susquehanna Division— Extends from Duncan’s
Island to Northumberland,................................. 39
867,874
141,730 314,253
North Branch Division— Extends from Northumberland to Lackawannock,................................ 73 1,491,894
63,559 390,624




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

364

P e n n sy l v a n ia C a n a l s and R a il r o a d s , E t c .— Continued.

Revenue. .Expendit.
Name and Description.
Miles.
Cost.
W est Branch Division— Extends from Northum­
$60,859 $333,738
berland to Dunnsburg,......................................... 72 $1,708,579
French Creek Division— Extends (including the
feeder) from Franklin to Conneaut Lake,....... 45
784,754
4,767 133,979
Beaver Division— Extends from Beaver to New­
10,924 139,082
castle, .................................................................... 25
522,258
Columbia and Philadelphia Railway— Extends
585,343
1,205,419
from Columbia to Philadelphia,..................... 82 3,983,302
824,319 862,074
Railroad Tolls,.....................................................
436,579
Motive Power,.....................................................
Locomotives, Ropes, & c ....................................
Allegheny Portage Railway— Extends from Hol413,504 293,135
lidaysburg to Johnstown,................................ 38 1,783,176
Railroad Tolls,.....................................................
443,480 539,507
122,236
Motive Power,.....................................................
Locomotives, Ropes, & c....................................
T o t a l , .......................................

20,653,791

6,181,624 6,694,206

In addition to this, there are the following canals in progress, and nearly completed:—
North Branch Extension, from Lackawana to New York line,........................miles
Erie Extension, from Greenville to Erie Harbor,.........................................................
W iconisco Canal, from Duncan’s Island to W iconisco Creek,................... ...............

90
63$
12£

Total, miles o f canals in progress,................................................. 165f
These have cost nearly $10,000,000, making the total funded debt, with money bor­
rowed to pay interest and other expenses, $36,331,005. The property o f the state is
as follows:
The value o f public improvements, estimatedat cost, is............................ $29,292,165
T he state owns bank stock which cost, atpar............................................
2,108,700
831,778
The state owns turnpike and bridge stock.................................................
The state owns railroad stock......................................................................
350,546
Money due on unpatented lands, estimated at...........................................
1,000,000
Total.................................

33
00
66
00
00

$33,583,189 99

The works may become valuable, but as seen in the above table, in ten years, in­
cluding a most prosperous season, the expenses exceeded the receipts $512,585, inde­
pendent o f the interest on the debt contracted for their construction. W e have gone
thus into details, because it is a novel feature in the money market for an independent
state to become bankrupt, and tender its property for sale in payment.
Some doubts have been entertained in relation to the payment o f the next interest, by
the states o f Arkansas, Alabama, and Ohio, but assurances have been received from the
proper Quarter that the payments will be promptly met.
The federal government has hitherto not been enabled to sell any part of the loan, for
the negotiation o f which agents were despatched for England. In the mean time Con­
gress has so far amended the law authorizing the loan, as to forbid its being sold under
par; and has also authorized the issue o f $6,000,000 o f the amount in the form o f
treasury notes. The presence o f these notes is now daily looked for in the mar­
ket. They will greatly increase the amount outstanding beyond what it has ever been
before.

The following is a table o f the amount outstanding, at the close of each month,

for the last four years.




Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

365

UNITED STATES TREASURY NOTES OUTSTANDING ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH, FOR A SERIES
OF YEARS.

1839.

1840.
1841.
2,758,331
4,652,991
6,813,862
2,570,340
4,804,719
6,552,946
2,176,981
5,393,094
1,422,555
6,301,324
1,256,985
6,862,990
2,052,056
8,063,563
5,458,542
2,123,717
8,345,695
5,160,430
3,476,937
8,305,336
4,966,502
4,519,937
7,265,660
3,707,380
4,560,689
7,373,024
3,394,180
4,664,200
7,371,705
2,998,071
4,433,833
7,228,857
The $6,000,000 to be issued will increase the sum to near $15,000,000.

January.......................
February..................... ....
March.......................... ....
April............................
M a y............................
June............................
July.............................. ....
August........................ ....
September................... ....
October........................ ....
November................... ....
December................... ....

1842.
6,840,723
—

8,539,115
—

7,434,729
9,100,904
9,077,006
8,903,818
8 771,999

The notes
are to some extent absorbed as a medium o f exchange at this season o f the year, and
also, while the funds o f the banks are in search o f employment, they form a desirable
investment, being available at any moment. They are also in demand for the payment
of duties, when the discount upon them is sufficient to make that operation an object,
which is however scarcely now the case, the rate being but § discount. The department
has been very backward in issuing the notes, in the hope that some negotiations for a sale
of the stock could be effected. This has operated very unfortunately for the creditors of
the government. They have many o f them been obliged to sell their claims upon the
department at a discount o f 1 per cent to those very capitalists whose negotiations, real
or pretended, have prevented them from being paid. The revenues of the government
are, as we have before hinted, not likely to be improved under the new tariff; on the
contrary, importing and shipping business seems to have received a severe check.

Many

vessels that were put upon the stocks before the passage o f the tariff have been coun­
termanded since.
In relation to the state o f N ew Y ork, some uneasiness has been manifest in relation
to the result o f the coming elections: inasmuch as an increase of debt and extension
of the internal improvements is thought to be identified with one of the contending
parties. In connection with this subject, we have constructed from official documents
the following comparative table of the progress o f the debts o f the states o f New York
and Pennsylvania.
NEW YORK.

Year.
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842

Am't borrow’ d
in each
year.
377,000
500,000
220,000
387,000
150,000
240,263
561,500
178,886
1,044,876
129,453
650,000
919,973
4,350,761
2,139,185
4,497,297
3,609,414
3,814,182




PENNSYLVANIA.

Am't paid
in each
year.
270,000
94,615
21,000
333,942
30,977
9,653
1,566,310
638,830
782,160
691,778
1,026,912
365,011
67,300
138,139
33,770
10,544

31*

Total o f state
liabilities at the
close o f each year.
7,737,770
7,844,770
8,250,155
8,450,155
8,516,013
8,635,035
8,865,645
9,427,145
8,127,656
8,584,525
8,007,035
8,005,785
7,954,114
11,953,852
14,025,738
18,385,309
21,960.953
25,764,590

Pennsylvania
debt at the
close o f year.
1,680,000
1,980,000
2,980,000
5,780,000
8,370,000
12,070,000
14,965,661
17,614,341
20.655,002
22,920,402
24,400,002
24,400,002
24,400,002
25,200,002
31,724,002
35,936,002
39,508,147

Monthly Commercial Chronicle.

366

W e have before seen the condition o f the Pennsylvania state works.

W e may now

take the following table o f the business o f the New York state canals, since their com­
mencement.
BUSINESS OF THE NEW YORK STATE CANALS.

1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842

Number o f boats No. o f lock­
Tons g oing
arr’d a t,ifd ea 'd ages west o f
from
Schenectady.
from, Albany.
tide-water.
6,166 .
8,760
34,136
13,110
10,985
33,438
—
15,156
35,435
—
—
13,004
23,662
14,579
56,792
12,619
21,490
52,621
23,874
14,674
70,154
16,284
26,882
86,945
—
25,826
18,601
31,460
20,649
119,463
32,438
22,911
114,608
36,690
25,798
128,910
34,190
25,516
133,796
31,082
21,055
122,130
32,120
25,962
142,808
31,882
24,234
142,035
30,456
26,987
129,580
33,782
30,320
162,715
(September 1st.)

• •

i oris arriving

Tolls.

lit iiCiC-fi/liiC# .
___
___

302,170
—
___
—
—
—
—
—

553,596
753,191
696,347
611,781
640,481
602,128
669,012
774,334

340,642
566,279
765,104
859,260
838,444
813,137
1,056,922
1,223,801
1,229,483
1,463,820
1,341,329
1,548,986
1,614,336
1,292,627
1,590,911
1,616,382
1,775,747
2,034,882
907,000

The tolls this year, as compared with 1841, thus far, present a diminution of 20 per cent.
This table gives an increase in the returns o f the canals, for a series of years, but does
not show any material increase in the number o f boats or tons transported, that should
warrant any great outlay o f expense to increase the facilities o f transportation.

It ap­

pears that the average tolls for the last seven years has been $1,804,554; and for the
previous seven years $1,239,639— being an increase o f $564,915. In the same period
the debt has increased $17,758,705, bearing interest $1,065,522 per annum; making
an excess in the increase o f expense over the increase o f means o f $500,607. This
does not afford much encouragement for the further increase o f debt, and such a step
would undoubtedly severely injure credit.
The advices from Europe by the late arrivals, are o f a very favorable nature in regard
to the revival o f business in England. Money was exceedingly plenty, and the harvest
full. There was, however, no improvement in affairs connected with the United States.
The fall in produce precludes the hope o f any very extended markets for that of the
United States growth ; and no cause existed for a return o f confidence in the public
securities. On the contrary, there was every reason for increased distrust. It was very
apparent that England would require no increased supply o f corn, a circumstance which,
although favorable to an increased consumption o f cotton, precluded the hope o f any en­
larged operations in other produce o f the United States. The crops o f France, however,
and the eastern coast o f Spain, were largely deficient; a circumstance that will lead to
an outpouring o f United States produce in that quarter, as well as to Algiers, South
America, the West Indies, and those other markets which are wont to draw their sup­
plies from Europe.
mostly in specie.

The returns for this produce will, under present appearances, be

New York, September 25, 1842.




The New British Tariff.

367

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.
TH E N E W B R ITIS H T A R IF F .
DUTIES OF CUSTOMS PAYABLE ON GOODS, WARES, AND MERCHANDISE IMPORTED INTO THE
UNITED KINGDOM FROM FOREIGN PARTS.
A r t ic le s .

O f o r fr o m
F o r . C o u n trie s.

Goods, wares, and merchandise, being either in ^>art or wholly
manufactured, and not being enumerated or described, nor
otherwise charged with duty, and not prohibited to be imported
into, or used in Great Britain or Ireland,.....................................
Goods, wares, and merchandise, not being either in part or wholly
manufactured, and not being enumerated or described, nor
otherwise charged with duty, and not prohibited to be imported
into or used in Great Britain or Ireland,.....................................
Acetous Acid (see Vinegar)
Acorns,...................................................................................... bushel
Agates,............................................................. for every JC100 value
Ditto, set,..........................................................................................
Alabaster, (see Marble)
A le,............................................................................
Alkali, not being Barilla,........................................
Alkanet R oot,..........................................................
Almonds, (not Jordan or Bitter)..........................
Jordan,.................................................................
Bitter,.....................................................................
Paste of,............................................................... .
Aloes,.........................................................................
Alum, all sorts,.........................................................
Amber, rough,.........................................................
Manufactures of, (not enumerated).................
Ambergris,................................................................
Anchovies, (see Fish)
Angelica,...................................................................
Annatto, roll and flag,............................................
Aniseed,.....................................................................
Antimony, ore of,.....................................................
Crude,.....................................................................
Regulus,................................ ...............................
Apples, raw,.............................................................
Dried,.....................................................................
Aquafortis,................................................................
Argol,.........................................................................
Aristolochia,..............................................................
Arrowroot,................................................................
Arsenic,.....................................................................
Assafcetida (see gum)
Ashes, Pearl or Pot,.................................................
Soap, weed and wood,.........................................
Not enumerated,...................................................
Asphaltum,................................................................
Asses,........................................................................
Bacon,........................................................................
Balsam Canada,........................................................
Capivi,.........................................................
Peru,............................................................
R iga,*.......................................................... .
* And further as foreign spirits,..........
T o lu ,............................................................
Balm o f Gilead, and all balsams not otherwise enumerated or
described,...............................................................
Bandstring, twist, the dozen knots, each containing 32 yards,....




O f or fr o m
B r it. P o s s .

20 per ct.

20 per ct.

5 per ct.
£ s. d.
0 1 0
5 0 0
15 per

5 per ct.
£ s. d.
0 0 6
5 0 0
cent.

2 0
0 1
0 1
0 10
1 5
0 2
20 per
0 0
0 2
0 5
15 per
0 0

2 0 0
0 1 G
0 1 0
0 10 0
1 5 0
0 2 0
20 per ct.
0 0 1
0 2 0
0 5 0
15 per ct.
0 0 3

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

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

0
0
0
0
6
0
2
0
0
G
0
0
6

0 0 6)
0 0 6 ( Free.
5 per ct. 1
0 1 0
0 1
0 1
0 2 6
0 14 0
0 3
0 0 I
0 0
0 4
0 4 0
0 0 3
0 0
0 0
0 0 I
1 2 G
1 2
0 0
0 0 2

0
3
6
1
0
3
1
6
2

0
2

6
6

0
0

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

0
6
0
0
0
0
ct.
2
0
0
ct.
3

0
5

0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
6
0
0
0

6
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0

368

Commercial Regulations.
A r t ic le s .

O f or fr o m
F o r . C o u n trie s.

Barilla,.............................................................................................. tonXO
Barbadoes Tar,...............................................................................cwt. 0
Bark, Peruvian, Cascarilla, and other sorts,..............................cwt. 0
Do. for tanners’ or dyers’ use,....................................................... 0
Extract of, or other vegetable substances to be used only for
tanning leather,........................................................................... 0
Barley, pearled,..............................................................................cwt. 0
Basket Rods, peeled, not exceeding 3 feet in circumference at
the band,....................................................................bundle
0
Unpeeled,.......................................................................bundle
0
Baskets,............................................................for every X I 00 value 10
Bast ropes, twines, and strands,...................................................cwt. 0
Beads, coral, jet, Arango, not otherwise enumerated or described 15
Beads and bugles o f glass,.........................................................pound 0
0
Beans, Kidney and French,.......................................... !.bushel
Beef, salted, not being corned beef, from and after 10th Oct. ’ 42, 0
Fresh, or slightly salted,................................................................. 0
Beer or M um ,..............................................................................barrel 2
Spruce,.....................................................................................barrel 1
Beeswax,......................................................................................... cwt. 0
Bleached,.......................................................................................... 1
Berries, Bay, Juniper, and Yellow ,............................................ cwt. 0
Not enumerated, commonly madeuse o f in chemical pro­
cesses,
ton 0
Berries, (Fruit) not enumerated,................................................. cwt. 0
Birds, viz: singing birds,............................................................dozen 0
Bitumen Judaicum,............................................................................. 0
Blacking,......................................................................................... cwt. 1
Bladders,...................................................................................... dozen 0
Blubber, (see Oil)
Bones o f cattle and other animals, and o f fish, (except whale
fins) whether burnt or unburnt, or as animal charcoal,........ ton 0
Bonnets (see Hats)
Books, being o f editions printed prior to the year 1801, bound or
unbound,................................................................................. cwt. 1
Printed in or since the year 1801,...........................................cwt. 5
In the foreign living languages, printed in or since the year
1801,....................................................................................... cwt. 2
Boots, Shoes, and Calashes, v iz : women’s boots and calashes,
dozen pairs, 0
I f lined or trimmed with furorother trimming,.......................... 0
Shoes, with cork or double soles, quilted shoes and clo gs,.... 0
I f trimmed or lined with furorany other trimming,................... .0
W om en’s shoes o f silk, satin, jean, or other stuffs, kid, moroc­
co, or other leather,..................................................................... 0
W om en’s shoes, if trimmed or lined with fuj: or any other
trimming,...................................................................................... 0
Girls’ boots, shoes, and calashes, not exceeding seven inches
in length, to be charged with two thirds o f the above duties.
Men’s Boots,....................................................................doz. pairs 1
Shoes,.................................................................................... 0
Boys’ boots and shoes, not exceeding seven inches in length,
to be charged with two thirds o f the above duties.
Boot Fronts, not exceeding nine inchesin height,..................y... 0
Exceeding nine inches inheight,............................................. 0
Boracic A c id ,................................................................................. cwt. 0
Borax, Unrefined,................................................................................ 0
Refined,.................................................................................... 0
Bottles o f earth or stone, and empty,....................................... dozen 0
Ditto o f glass covered with wicker, not being flint or cut glass,
or o f green or common glass,..................................................cwt. 0
And further on account o f Excise duty, Is.




O f or from
Brit. Poss.

5s .
2
1
0

0 d ,jE0 5a. Od
6
0 2 6
0
0 1 0
3
0 0 1

1
5

0
0

0
0
0
5
per
0
0
8
8
0
0
2
0
1

6
3
0
0
ct.
3
10
0
0
0
0
1
0
0

1
2
8
1
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
3

0
0
0
0
1
0

1
2
8
1
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
3

0

6

0

0

6

0
0

0
0

1
5

0
0

0
0

10

0

2 10

0

12
15
10
12

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

12
15
10
12

0
0
0
0

0
0

1
2

0
6

0 0 6
0 0 3
10 0 0
0 2 6
15 per ct.
0 0 3
0 0 5
0 2 0
0 8 0
2 0 0
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 10 0
0 1 0

9

0

0

9

0

10

0

0 10

0

8
14

0
0

1 8
0 14

0
0

3
5
0
0
5
0

6
6
6
6
0
2

0
0
0
0
0
0

3
5
0
0
5
0

6
6
6
6
0
2

4

0

0

4

0

The New British Tariff.
A r t ic le s .

369
O f an d f r o m
O f an d f r o m
F o r . C o u n trie s. B r i t . P o s s .

Botlles o f glass, not otherwise enumerated or described,..............£ 1 Os. Od.£l Os. (Id
And further on account o f Excise duty, 20s.
Boxes o f all sorts, except those made wholly or partly o f glass, on
which the proper glass duty will be levied, for every £100 val. 10 0 0
5 0 0
Brass, manufactures of,......................................................................
15 per cent.
Brass Powder,.................................................................
pound
0 0 6
00
Bricks and Clinkers, Dutch,..............................................(.thousand 0 10 0
Other sorts,....................................................................................... 0 15
Brimstone,.......................................................................................cwt. 0 0
Refined, in rolls,............ ................................................................ 0 2
in flour,............................................................................. 0 2
Bristles, rough and in the tufts, and not in any way sorted,...cwt. 0 2
In any way sorted or arranged in colors, and not entirely rough
and in the tufts,.................................................................. pound 0
0 3 0
0 3
Brocade o f gold or silver,.................................................................... 20 per et. 20 per ct.
Bronze works o f art,..................................................................... cwt. 1 0
0 1 0
0
Other manufactures of,.................................................................... 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Powder o f,....................................................................................... 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Bugles,......................................................................................... pound 0
0 3 0
0 3
Bullrushes,........................................................................................ ton 0 10 0 0 10 0
Bulls,..............................................................................................each 1 0
0 1 10 0
Bullion and foreign coin o f gold or silver, and ore o f gold or
silver, or o f which the major part in value is gold and silver,...
Free.
Free.
Burgundy P itch,.................................................
cwt. 0
2 0 0
2 0
Butter,.............................................................................................cwt. 1
0 0 0
5 0
Buttons,................................................................................................. 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Cables (not being ironcables) tarred or untarred,....................cwt. 0
6 0 3
3 0
Not being iron cables, in actual use o f a British ship, and be­
ing fit and necessary for such ship, and not or until other- •
wise disposed of,..........................................................................
Free.
Free.
If, and when otherwise disposed of,..............every £100 value 10 0 0
5
0
Calves,............................................................................................each 0 10 00 0
0
Cambric (see Linen)
Camomile Flowers,.................................................................. pound 0 0 1
0 0 1
Camphor,..............................
cwt. 0 1 0
0 1 0
Refine^,............................................................................................. 0 10 0
0 10 0
Candles, Spermaceti,................................................................pound 0 0 6
0 0 6
Stearine,....................................
pound 0 0 24 0 0 24
Tallow............................................................................cwt. 0 10 0
0 10 0
W ax,........................................................................... pound 0 0 4
0 0 4
Candlewick,...................................................................................cwt. 0 8 8
4
0 1
Canella Alba,.............................................................................. pound 0
l
Canes, Bamboo...................................................................... thousand 0
0 6
6
Rattans and Reed Canes,not ground,............................. thousand 0
5 0
0
Walking Canes or Sticks, mounted, painted, or otherwise or­
namented, .................................................................................... 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
Canes or Sticks, unenumerated,.......................................... thousand 0
5 0
Cantharides,................................................................................ pound 0
0 3
Caoutchouc,.................................................................................... cwt. 0
Capers, including the pickle,.....................................................pound 0
Capsicum (see Pepper)
.
Cardamoms,.......................................................................................... 0
Cards, Playing,.............................................................. dozen packs 4
Carriages, o f all sorts,......................................................................... 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
Carmine,....................................................................................... ounce 0
0 6 0
0 6
Casks, empty,....................................................................................... 25 per ct. 25 per ct.
Cassava Powder,............................................................................ cwt. 0
5 0 0
1 0
Cassia Fistula,................................................................................ cwt. 0
5 0 0
5 0
Cassia Lignea,............................................................................ pound 0
0 3 0
0 1
Buds,................................................................................ pound 0
0 6 0
0 3
Castor,..............................................................................................cwt. 0
2 0 0
2 0
Casts o f busts, statues, andfigures,........................................... cwt. 0
2 6 0
2 6




370

Commercial Regulations.
A r t ic le s .

O f and fr o m
O f and fr o m
F o r . C o u n trie s. B r it . P o s s .

Catlings,........................................................................
Cavaire,.........................................................................
Chalk, not otherwise enumerated, and unmanufactured,.,
Prepared or manufactured, not otherwise enumerated,
Cheese,...........................................................................
Cherries, Raw,.............................................................
Dried,........................................................................
.bushel
Chesnuts,...................................................................... .
Chicory, or any other vegetable matter applicable ito the uses of
chicory or coffee, roasted or ground,...............
Raw, kiln-dried,.......................................................
Chillies (see Pepper)
China or Porcelain ware, plain,.................................
Gilt, painted, or ornamented,.................................
China R o o t,..................................................................
Chip or W illow for plaiting,.......................................
Chocolate,......................................................................
Cider,............................................................................
Cinnabaris Nativa,.......................................................
Cinnamon,....................................................................
Citrate o f Lime,............................................................
Citric A cid,...................................................................
Citron, preserved with salt,.........................................
Civet,..............................................................................
Clinkers (see Bricks)
Clocks,............................................................................
Clocks or Watches, o f any metal impressed with any mark or
stamp, appearing to be or to represent any legal British assay
mark or stamp, or purporting, by any mark or appearance, to
be o f the manufacture o f the United Kingdom,....
Cloves,..........................................................................
Coal, Culm, Cinders,..................................................
Cobalt,...........................................................................
Ore,.............................................................................
Coculus Indicus,............................................................
Cochineal,......................................................................
Dust,...........................................................................
Cocoa,............................................................................
Husks and Shells,....................................................
Paste and Chocolate,...............................................
Codilla (see Flax)
Coffee.............................................................................
Coir Rope, twine and strands,...................................
Cocoa Nuts,..................................................................
Colocynth,.....................................................................
Columbo R oot,.............................................................
Colts,...............................................................................
Comfits, D ry,................................................................
Confectionery (see Succades)
Copper, Ore of, not containing more than 15 parts copper, per
ton o f metal,..........................................................
Containing not more than 20 ditto,......................
Containing more than 20 ditto,....................... .......
Copper, Old, fit only to be remanufactured,............
Unwrought, v iz : in bricks or pigs, rose copper, and all cast
copper,...................................................................
In part wrought, v iz : bars, rods, or ingots, hamm’d or raised,
In plates and copper coin,.....................................
Manufactures o f Copper not otherwise enumerated or described, and copper-plates engraved,.................
Copper or Brass W ire,............................................... ........................
Copperas, blue, green, and white................................................. ton




0
5
10
0
5
0
0
0
1

3s. 0d.£0 3s. 0<Z
5 0
0 5 0
per ct.
2J per ct
per ct.
5 per ct.
10 6
0 2 6
per ct.
5 per ct.
0 6
0 0 6
2 0
0 2 0
0
0

6
0

0
1

0
0

6
0

15 per ct.
20 per ct.
0 0 3
0 0 1
0 0 6
10 10 0
0 1 0
0 0 6
0 5 0
0 0 2
10 per ct.
0 2 0

15
20
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
10
0

per
per
0
0
0
10
1
0
5
0
per
2

ct.
ct.
3
1
2
0
0
3
0
2
ct.
0

20 per ct.

20 per ct.

Prohibited.
0 0
0 0 6
0 1 0
0 0
0 5 0
0 5
1 per ct.
1 per
0 7 6
0 7
0 1 0
p 1
0 1 0
6 1
0 0
0 0 4
0 0 1
0 0
0 0 6
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0

0
2
0
0
1
0
0

8
6
0
1
0
0
6

0 0
0 1
0 1
0 0
0 1
0 in
0 0

G
6
0
ct.
6
0
0
1
04
2
4
3
0
1
0
0
3

3 0
4 10
6 0
0 7

°)
0 1
0 it
6
0

0

0

3

6

0 8
0 10
0 10

0
0
0

0
0
0

4
5
5

0
0
0

15 0 0 15 0 0
12J per ct. 124 per ct.
1 0 0
0 10 0

The New British Tariff.
A r t ic le s .

371
O f o r fr o m
F o r. C o u n trie s.

O f or from
Brit Foss.

Coral, in fragments,...........................
. 0 0 2
Whole Polished,.................................................................... pound
12 0
Unpolished,............................................................................ pound
5 6
Cordage, tarred or untarred, (standing or running rigging in
use excepted,).......................................................................cwt. 0 6 0
0 3 0
In actual use of a British ship, and being fit and necessary for
such ship, and not or until otherwise disposed of,................
Free.
Free.
If, and when otherwise disposed o f,.......... ...every .£100 value 5 0 0
2 10 0
Cordial Waters (see Spirits)
Cork, until 5th July, 1843,................................
0 8 0
0 8 0
Do. (from and after 5ih July, 1843).............
0 1 0
0 1 0
Corks (ready made) until 5th July, 1843,.....
0 7 0
0 7 0
Do. (from and after 5th July, 1843).............
0 0 8
0 0 8
0 16 0
Do. squared for rounding,..............................
0 16 0
Do. fishermen’s , ..............................................
0 2 0
0 2 0
Corn— If imported from any foreign country :—
Wheat— Whenever the average price o f wheat, made up and published in the manner
required by law, shall be for every quarter—
Under 51s. the duty shall be fo rX s. d.
Per quarter—
every quarter,....... ...... i
0 0 62s. and under 63s.................
51s. and under 52s............. ...... 0 19 0 63s. and under 64s.................
52s. and under 55s............. ...... 0 18 0 64s. and under 65s.................
55s. and under 56s............. ...... 0 17 0 65s. and under 66s.................
56s. and under 57s............. ...... 0 16 0 66s. and under 69s.................
57s. and under 583............. ...... 0 15 0 69s. and under 70s.................
58s. and under 59s............. ...... 0 14 0 70s. and under 71s.................
59s. and under 60s............. ...... 0 13 0 71s. and under 72s.................
60s. and under 61s.............. ...... 0 12 0 72s. and under 73s.................
61s. and under 62s............. ...... 0 11 0 73s. and upwards,....................
Barley— Whenever the average price o f barley, made up and published in
required by law, shall be for every quarter—

£ s. d.
0 10 0
0 9 0
0 8 0
0 7 0
0 6 0
0 5 0
0 4 0
0 3 0
0 2 0
0 1 0
the manner

Per quarter—
Under 26s. the duty shall be for £ s. d.
every quarter,....... ...... 0 11 0 32s. and under 33s.................
......
0
0
33s.
and under 34s.................
26s. and under 27s.............
10
27s. and under 30s............. ...... 0 9 0 34s. and under 35s.................
30s. and under 31s............. ...... 0 8 0 36s. and under 37s.................
31s. and under 32s............. ...... 0 7 0 37s. and upwards,....................
Oats— Whenever the average price o f oats, made up and published in the
quired by law, shall be for every quarter—

£ 8. d.
.. 0 6 0
.. 0 5 0
.. 0 3 0
.. 0 2 0
.. 0 1 0
manner re­

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

Under 19s. the duty shall be for:C
Per quarter—
£
24s and under 25s.
every quarter,................ 0 8
. 0
25s and under 26s.
19s. and under 20s.................... 0 7
. 0
26s and under 27s.
. 0
20s. and under 2 3 s.................... 0 6
23s. and under 24s.................... 0 5
27s. and upwards,........................ 0
Rye, Peas, and Beans— Whenever the average price o f rye, or o f peas, or o f beans,
made up and published in the manner required by law, shall be for every quarter—
£ s. d.
Under 30s. the duty shall be for:£ s. d.
Per quarter—
every quarter,....... ...... 0 11 6 37s. and under 38s.......... ......... 0 5 6
30s. and under 33s............. ...... 0 10 6 38s. and under 39s.......... ......... 0 4 6
33s. and under 34s............. ...... 0 9 6 39s. and under 40s.......... ......... 0 3 6
34s. and under 35s............. ...... 0 8 6 40s. and under 41s.......... ......... 0 2 6
35s. and under 36s............. ....... 0 7 6 41s. and under 42s.......... ......... 0 1 6
36s. and under 37s............. ...... 0 6 6 42s. and upwards,............. ........ 0 1 0
Wheat, Mea>, and Flour— For every barrel, being one hundred and ninety-six pounds,
a duty equal in amount to the duty payable on thirty-eight and a half gallons of
wheat.
Oatmeal— For every quantity o f one hundred and eighty-one pounds and a half, a
duty equal in amount to the duty payable on a quarter o f oats.
Maize or Indian Corn, Buckwheat, Bear, or Bigg— For every quarter, a duty equal in
amount to the duty payable on a quarter o f barley.




372

Commercial Regulations.

C o r n , E t c . — Continued.
I f the produce o f and imported from any British possessions in North America, or else,
where out o f Europe.
Wheat— Whenever the average price o f wheat, made up and published in the manner
required by law, shall be—
Per quarter—
£ s. d.
56s. and under 57s....................... 0 3 0
Under 55s. for every quarter, the
duty shall be for every quarter, 0 5
57s. and under 58s..................... 0 2 0
55s. and under 56s...................... 0 4
58s. and upwards,....................... 0 1 0
Barley— Whenever the average price o f barley, made up and published in the manner
required by the law, shall be—
£ s. d.
Per quarter—
£ s. d.
Under 28s. for every quarter, the
29s. and under 30s...................... 0 1 6
duty shall be for every quarter, 0 2 6 30s. and under 31s............. r.f. . . . 0 1 0
28s. and under 29s...................... 0 2 0 31s. and upwards,........................ 0 0 6
Oats— Whenever the average price o f oats, made up and published in the manner re­
quired by law, shall be—
£ s. d.
Per quarter—
£ s. d.
22s. and under 23s....................... 0 1 6
Under 22s. for every quarter, the
duty shall be for every quarter, 0 2 0 23s. and upwards,......................... 0 0 6
Rye, Peas, and Beans— Whenever the average price o f rye, or of peas, or of beans,
made up and published, in the manner required by law, shall be—
Under 30s. for every quarter, the £
d.
Per quarter—
£ s. d.
duty shall be for every quarter, 0 3 0 32s. and under 33s....................... 0 1 6
30s. and under 31s...................... 0 2 6 33s. and under 34s....................... 0 1 0
31s. and under 32s...................... 0 2 0 34s. and upwards,......................... 0 0 6
Wheat, Meal, and Flour— For every barrel, being one hundred and ninety-six pounds,
a duty equal in amount to the duty payable on thirty-eight and a half gallons of
wheat.
Oatmeal— For every quantity o f one hundred and eighty-one pounds and a half, a duty
equal in amount to the duty payable on a quarter o f oats.
Maize or Indian Corn, Buckwheat, Bear, or Bigg— For every quarter, a duty equal in
amount to the duty payable on a quarter o f barley.

----A r tic le s .

O f o r fr o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s .

O f or fr o m
B r it. P oss.

5 per ct.
5 per ict.
15 per ct. 15 per ict.
10 per ct.
5 per ct.
£ s. d. £ s.
d
Do. Y arn,................................................... for every .£100 value 10 0 0
5 0 0
Articles or manufactures o f cotton, wholly or in part made up,
not otherwise charged with duty,*............................................. 20 per ct. 10 per ct.
* Cotton stockings must pay this duty.
Cows,.............................................................................................each 0 15 0
0 7 6
Cranberries,............................................................................... gallon
0 0 1
0 0 1
15 per ct. 15 per ct.
.cwt. 0 1 0
Cream o f Tartar,..
0 1 0
Crystal, Rough,....
5 per ct. 2 i per ct.
.thousand 0 5 0
0 5 0
Crystal Beads,.....
15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Cubebs,........................................................................................pound 0 0 1
0 0 1
Cubic Nitre,................................................................................... cwt. 0 0 6
0 0 6
5 per ct.
Cucumbers, Preserved,....................................................................... 10 per ct.
Currants,........................................................................................cwt. 1 2 2
1 2 2
Cutch,...............................................................................................ton 0 5 0
0 5 0
Dates,............................................................................................. cwt. 0 10 0
0 10 0
Free.
Diamonds,.............................................................................. .'............
1 6 2
D ice,................................................................................................pair 1 6 2
0 5 0
Divi Divi,......................................................................................... ton 0 5 0
3
0
0 n
D o w n ,.........................................................................................pound 0 1
Drawings (see Prints)
0 1 0
Drugs not enumerated,................................................................ cwt. 0 1 0
10 per ct. 10 per ct.
0 0 2J
.120 0 0 10
Eggs,.




373

The New British Tariff.
A r tic le s .

O f an d f r o m
O f an d fr o m
F o r . C o u n trie s. B r i t . B o s s .

Emeralds (see Jewels)
£ s. d.
Embroidery and Needle-work,.......................................................... 20 per ct.
Enamel,......................................................................................pound 0 2 0
Essence o f Spruce,.............................................................................. 10 per ct.
Do. Lemon, & c. (see Oil)
Extracts, v iz :— cardamoms, cocuius indicus, Guinea grains o f 'i
Paradise, liquorice, nux vomica, opium, Peruvian or Jesuit’s I
ct
bark, quassia, radix rhataniee, vitriol, Guinea pepper, or not j ~ ^
*
otherwise described,.......................................................................J
Extract or Preparation o f any article not being particularly enu- )
•ged with duty, for >20 0 0
merated or described, nor otherwise charged
every =£100 value )
Or, in lieu o f the above duty, at the option o f the importer, lb. 0 5 0
Feathers for beds, in beds, or otherwise,.................................. cwt. 0 1 0
Ostrich, dressed,.................................................................... pound l 10 0
Do. undressed,................................................................................. 0 0 1
Not otherwise enumerated or described, viz :— Dressed,......... 10 per ct.
5 per ct.
Undressed,.
Paddy-bird,.............................................................................pound 0 1 0
Figs,. . . . , ........................................................................................ cwt. 0 15 0
Fish, viz :— A nchovies,.............................................................pound 0 0 2
Eels,.....................................................................the ship’s lading 13 0 0
Free.
Lobsters,...........................................................................................
Turbot,.......................................................................................cwt. 0 5 0
Fish o f foreign taking, importedfrom foreign places, in other
than fishing vessels, v iz :— Oysters,................................bushel 0
Salm on,...................................................................................... cwt. 0
Soles and Turtle,...................................................................... cwt. 0
Fresh Fish, not otherwise enumerated,....................................... 0
Cured Fish, ditto,............................................................................ 0
Fish o f British taking, fresh or cured,...........................................
Free.
Fishing Nets, (see Rags)
’d, cwt. 0 0 1
0 5 0
5 per Ct.
Flower Roots,.
25 per ct.
1 0 0
Foals,..............................................................
Fossils (see Minerals)
Frames for pictures, prints, or drawings,..
10 per ct.
Frankincense, Olibanum, (see Gum)
5 per Ct.
0 2 0
0 1 0
Galls,.
0 1 0
0 5 0
0 15 0
Cut.
Ct.
Gauze, o f thread,................................................................................. 10 per ct.
0 10 0
Gelatine,...........................................................................
1 0 0
Geldings,..........................................................................
0 5 0
0 5 0
0 10 0
0
.pound
0 6
Glass, viz :— Crown Glass, or any kind o f window glass not ex­
ceeding one ninth o f an inch in thickness, and not being plate
glass or German sheet glass,..................................................cwt. 1
And further on account o f the excise duty,........................... 5
30 per
Flint Glass and Cut do...................................................................
And on account o f excise,......................................................... 1 0 0
German sheet glass, white or colored, not exceeding one ninth
o f an inch in thickness, and shades,......................................... 1 10
And further on account o f the excise duty,........................ 4 4
VOL. V II.— NO. IV .
32




£ s.
20 per
0 2
10 per

d.
ct.
0
ct.

er ct
**

20

0

0

0

5

0

0 10 0
1 10 0

0 0 1
10 per ct.
5 per ct.

0

1 0

0 15

0

Free.
0 0 1
0 2 6
5 per Ct.
25 per ct.
0 10 0
10 per ct.
5 per
0 i
0 i
0 i
0 5
0 15
74 per
0 10
0 10
0 5
0 5
0 5
0 0

ct.
0
0
0
0
0
Ct.
0
0
0
0
0
1

1 10

0

5 3
cent.

0

1 0 0
1 10 0
4

4

0

374

Commercial Regulations.
A r tic le s .

O f an d f r o m
F o r . C o u n trie s

A ll glass exceeding one ninth o f an inch in thickness; all sil­
vered, or polished glass, o f whatever thickness, and plate
glass, however small each pane, plate, or sheet, superficial
measure, v iz :—
Not containing more than nine square feet,..... the square foot
Containing more than nine square feet, and not more than
fourteen square feet,....................................................................
Containing more than fourteen square feet, and not more than
thirty-six square feet,.......................................................... .
Containing more than thirty-six square feet,..............................
Manufactures not otherwise enumerated or described, and old
broken glass fit only to be remanufactured,.................... cwt.
And further on account o f excise duty,..............................
Painting on glass,............................................................. ..............
And further on account o f excise duty,................super, foot
Gloves o f Leather, Habit Mits,..................................... dozen pairs
Habit Gloves,...........................................................................
Men’s ,........................................................................................
W om en’s, or M its,..........................................................................
G lu e ,.............................................................................................. cwt.
Clippings, or waste o f any kind, fit only for glue,.....................
G oats,.............................................................................................each
Gold Leaves,.......................................................................... hundred
Grain, not rated as corn or seeds, (see Barley, Beans, and Peas)
Grains, Guinea and Paradise,.................................................... cwt.
Granilla,..........................................................................................cwt.
Grapes,..................................................................................................
Grass (see Straw)
Grease,............................................................................................ cwt.
Greaves, for dogs,......................................................................... cwt.
Guano,.............................................................................................. ton
Gum, Senegal, arabic, shell lac, lac dye, copal, animi, assafcetida,
ammoniacum, guaiacum, kino, tragacanth, olibanum, mastic,
euphorbium, seed, and gums not enumerated,...................
Gunpowder....................................................................................cwt.
Gun Stocks, rough,...................................................................... cwt.
Gypsum ,.......................................................................................... ton
Hair, Human,.............................................................................pound
Hair, Camels’ Hair or W o o l,.................................................. pound
Cow, Ox, Bull, or Elk,............................................................cwt.
Goats’ (see W ool)
Horse,................................................................................................
Not otherwise enumerated or described,.....................................
Manufactures o f hair or goats’ wool, or o f hair or goats’ wool
and any other material, and articles o f such manufacture
wholly or in part made up, not particularly enumerated or
otherwise charged with duty,................for every £ 1 0 0 value
Hams and Bacon,................................... ............................................
Harp Strings or Lute Strings, silvered,...........................................
Hats or Bonnets, v iz:— Of Chip,........................................... pound
Bast, Cane, or Horse-hair, not ex. 22 inches in diam...dozen
Exceeding twenty-two inches indiameter,.................... dozen
Straw Hats or Bonnets,................................................
pound
Felt, Hair, W ool, Beaver,...................................................... each
Silk, or Silk Shag laid upon Felt, Linen, or other materials,...
H ay,................................................................................................ load
Heath, for brushes,....................................................................... cwt.
Hellebore,......................................................................................cwt.
Hemp, Dressed,............................................................................ cwt.
Rough, or Undressed, or any othervegetable substance of
the nature and quality o f undressedhemp, and applicable to
the same purposes,.............................................................. cwt.




O f and from
B rit. Poss.

£
0

s. d.
4 0

£

s. d.

0

4

0

0

5

0

0

5

0

0
0

6
7

0
0

0

6

0

0

7

0

1 0 0
1 0 0
5 per ct.
0 4 0
0 2 4
0 3 6
0 3 6
0 4 6
0 3 0
1 per cr.
ct.
0 1 0
0 3 0

10

0

1 0

0

5 per ct.
0 4 0
0 2 4
0 3 6
0 3 6
0 4 6
0 3 0
1 per ct.

0

0

6

0

3

0

0 15 0
0 1 0
5 per ct.

0 15

0

0
0
0

0

1 0

5 per ct.

1
2
1

8
0
0

0

0

3

0

2

0

0

1 0

0 1
1 0
0 0
1 11
0 1
0 0
0 0

0
0
6
8
0
1
6

0 1 0
1 0 0
0 0 6

0 0 6
5 per ct.

0 0 3
5 per ct.

0

1

0

1 0

3

Free.
0 0 3

15
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
14
per
5
10
15
8
2
3
16
5
3
4

0
0
ct.
0
0
0
6
9
6
0
0
0
2

7 10 0
0 3 6
20 per ct.
0 5 0
0 5 0
0 15 0

0

0

1

0 0 1

0 8 6
0

2

6

0

3

6

0

8

0

0
0

5
3

0
0

0

2

0

The New British Tariff.
A r tic le s .

375
O f o r from .
F o r . C o u n t r ie s .

Hides, Raw and Tanned— horse, mare, gelding, buffalo, bull, cow,
ox, calf, kid, swine, and hog, sea cow, elephant, and eland or
large deer hides, v iz : not tanned, tawed, curried, or■ in any £ s. d.
way dressed dry,................................................................
0 0 6
Ditto, W e t ,............................................................................
0 0 3
Whether whole, cut, rounded, or trimmed, or pieces thereof,
not cut into shapes, tanned but not otherwise dressed,...lb. 0 0 2
Tawed, curried, or in any way dressed, not being varnished,
japanned, or enamelled,..............................................
0 0 4
If varnished, japanned, or enamelled,............................
0 0 6
Losh Hides,...........................................................................
0 0 4
Muscovy or Russian Hides, or pieces thereof, tanned, colored,
shaved, or otherwise dressed,.........................................
0 0 4
Hides, or pieces thereof, raw or undressed, not otherwise enumerated,........................................................for every =£100 value 5 0 0
Hides, or pieces thereof, tanned, tawed, curried, or in any way
dressed, not otherwise enumerated,.........for every £ 1 0 0 value 10 0 0
1 0 0
Honey,....................................................................................
0 10 0
Hoofs o f Cattle,.....................................................................
1 per ct.
Hoops, Iron (see Iron)
W ood (see W ood)
H ogs,......................................................................................
0 5 0
Hops,......................................................................................
4 10 0
Horns, Tips, and pieces o f horns,.....................................
0 1 0
Horses,...................................................................................
1 0 0
Horse Grease, (see Oil, Animal)
Indigo,.....................................................................................
0 2 0
India Rubber (see Caoutchouc)
Inkle, Un wrought,................................................................
0 0 6
Wrought,....................................................................
0 1 0
Ink, for Printers,....................................................................
0 10 0
Iron Ore,................................................................................
0 2 0
0 5 0
P ig ,.....................................................................................
Bars Unwrought,.............................................................
1 0 0
Old Broken and Old Cast,.............................................
0 5 0
Iron and Steel Wrought, not otherwise enumerated,.
15 per ct.
Bloom ,................................................................................
0 7 (i
Chromate of,......................................................................
0 5 0
Slit or Hammered into Rods, Cast H o o p ,....................
1 10 0
Isinglass,..................................................................................
2 7 G
Jalap,......................................................................................
0 0 1
Japanned or Lacquered W are,..........................................
15 per ct.
0 0 1
Jewels, Emeralds, Rubies, and all other Precious Stones (except
Diamonds and Pearls) set,.........................................
10 per ct.
Unset,................................................................................
A per ct.
Juice, Lemon, Lime, and Orange,.....................................
0 0 04
Junk (see Rags)
K id s ,......................................................................................
0 1 0
Lac, viz :— Stick L a c ,.........................................................
0 0 1
Shell L a c ,.........................................................
0 1 0
Lac Dye,...........................................................
0 1 0
Lace (see Linen)
Lackered Ware (see Japanned Ware)
Lam bs,...................................................................................
0 2 0
Lampblack,............................................................................
1 0 0
Lapis Caliminaris,.................................................................
0 1 0
Lard,.......................................................................................
0 2 0
Latten,...................................................................................
0 1 0
Shaven,.............................................................................
0 1 0
W ire,.................................................................................
1 2 ^ per ct.




O f o r fr o m
B r it P oss.

£
0
0

8. d.
0 2
0 1

0

0

1

0
0
0

0
0
0

2
3
2

0

0

2

2 10

0

5
I
0
1

0 0
0 0
5 0
per ct.

0 2
4 10
0 1
0 10

6
0
0
0

1

0

0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
15
0

0
0
10
0
1
2
1
per
2
2
15
5
0
per
0

3
6
0
6
0
6
0
ct.
6
0
0
0
1
ct.
1

10 per ct.
\ per ct.
0 0 04
0
0
0
0

0
1
0
0
0
n
124

0
0
1
1

6
1
0
0

1
0
1
0
0
0
per

0
0
0
6
6
G
ct.

376

Commercial Regulations.
A r tic le s .

O f o r fr o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s .

O f o r fr o m
B r it. P oss.

Lavender Flowers,...................................................................pound £
0 O s . Id. £0 0s . U
£0
Lead, Ore o f,.................................................................................. ton 0 10 0
0 2 0
Black, Pig, and Sheet,..........................................................
.
1 0 0 0
0
R e d ,.........................................................................................
1 10 0 0
0
W hite,....................................................................................
2
2
0 0 2 6
Chromate o f,..................................................................................... , 5 0 0
2 10 0
Manufactures o f,............................................................................, 15 pper
e r ct.
C t.
p e r C t.
Leather, cut into shapes, or any article made o f leather, or any
manufacture whereof leather is the most valuable part, not:
otherwise enumerated or described,......................... .£100 value 15 00 00
0 0
Leaves o f Roses,.......................................... ............................. j
[
0 0 2 0 0 2
e r Cct.
t.
L eeches,................................................................................................ 5 pper
p e r C t.
Lemons (see Oranges)
Lemon P eel,............................................................................ cwt. , 00 i
0 0 i 0
0 0 o * 0 0 04
Juice,............................... ...................................................... £
0 0
Lentiles,.................................................................................... b
0 0
0 0 04 0 0 04
Lime Juice,........... .................................................. ................. g
Linen, or Linen and Cotton, v iz :— Cambrics and lawns, com­
monly called French lawns, the piece not exceeding 8 yards
in length, and not exceeding | o f a yard in breadth, and so1
in proportion for any greater or less quantity, Plain,...piece 0
0 0
0
Bordered Handkerchief,.......................................................
.
0
0 0
0
C
t
.
Lawns, o f any other sort not French,.......................................... 15 pper
e r ct.
p e r C t.
Lace, Thread,.................................................................... per cent 12
12 10
10 0 12 10 0
Made by the hand, commonly called cushion or pillow lace,
whether o f cotton, silken, or linen thread,.................
1 12 10 0 12 10 0
Damasks,....................................................................... square
0 0 10 0 0 10
Damasks Diaper,....................................................................
0 0
0 0
Plain Linens and Diaper, not otherwise enumerated or de­
scribed, and whether checkered or striped with dyed yarn
or not,............................................................................. per
0 0
0 0
Sails,.........................................................................................
0 0
0 0
In actual use o f a British ship, and fit and necessary for such
ship, and not otherwise disposed of,...........................
F re e .
F re e .
If, and when otherwise disposed o f,................................per cent 15 0 0
0 0
Manufactures o f Linen, or o f linen mixed with cotton or witht
wool, not particularly enumerated or otherwise charged with
duty,.....................................................................................
0 0
0 0
Litharge,.......................................................................................... ton 1 0 0 0 10 0
0 10 0
Liquorice R o o t,............................................................................. cwt. 1 0 0
0
Powder,......................................................................................cwt. 1
0 0
1 0 0 0 10 0
Paste,.......................................................................................
1
6 0 10 0
Juice,...................................... ................................................
0 2 0 0 2 0
L ogw ood,.....................................................................................
0 0 1
Maccaroni and Vermicelli,...................................................... pound 0 0 1
M ace,.......................................................................................... pound 0 2 6 0 2 6
M adder,..........................................................................................cwt. 0 0 6 0 0 6
0 0
0 0
Madder R oot,..............................................................................
p e r ct.
C t.
Magna Graecia ware,................. '......................................................... 5 per
p e r c t.
0 0 1
Manna,.........................
pound 0 0 1
0 1 0
Manganese Ore,..............................................................................ton 0 1 0
0 0 6 0 0 G
Manure not otherwise enumerated or charged with duty,....
0 0 2
Manuscripts,.............................................................................. pound 0 0 2
0 000 1 0 0 1
Maps or Charts, or parts thereof, plain or colored,...................... each
0 0 1 G
Marble, Sawn, in slabs, or otherwise manufactured,.................... 00
Marbles for children (see Toys)
0 0 G 0 0 1
Marmalade,.................................................................................
Mares,............................................
each 1 0 0 0 10 0
p e r >C t .
p e r ct.
C t.
Mats and Matting,............................................................................... 5 per
10 p e r c t .
Mattresses,..................................................................................
6
0
6 0
M ead,..........................................................................................
0 8 0 0 2 0
Meat, Salted or Fresh, not otherwise described,..................




5
15

5
15

5

15

15
5

15
5

3

15

5
5

14

15

5
5

5

5

15
15

15
15

15

15

15

15

15
7

15

3

5

3

5

3

5

24

5

5

The New British Tariff.
A r t ic le s .

377
O f an d f r o m
O f and fr o m
F o r . C o u n trie s. B r i t . P o s s .

Medals o f Gold or Silver,........................................................
.
Free.
o f other sorts,............................................................................
5 per ct.
6d
Medlars,...........................................................................................bushel.£0is. o d je o
Molasses (see Sugar)
Mercury, Prepared,.............................................................................
10 per cent.
0 0 2 0
Metal, Bell,..................................................................................... ton
Leaves, except Gold,..................................................per 250
0 1 0 0
Millboards,.....................................................................................cwt.
10 0 1 10
Minerals and Fossils, not enumerated, and specimens thereof,
and o f ores, exceeding fourteen pounds,.................................. 5 per ct.
1 per ct.
Ditto, not exceeding fourteen pounds,..
Free.
Minerals illustrative o f natural history,...
Free.
Free.
Mirrors pay duty as plate glass.
Models, o f cork or wood,...........................
5 per ct.
5 l per ct.
Morphia and its salts,................................
0 5 0
0 5 0
Moss— Lichen Islandicus,........................
0 5 0
0 5 0
Rock, for dyers’ use,.............................
0 5 0
0 5 0
Not enumerated,.................................... ...for every jPIOO value 1 0 0
1 0 0
Mother-of-Pearl shells,...............................
5 per ct.
5 ] per ct.
Mules,..........................................................
0 2 6
0 i 3
M um ,...........................................................
2 0 0
2 0 0
Musical Instruments,......................................... ................................. 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Musk,..................................................................
ounce 0 0 6
0 0 6
Mustard Flour,..............................................................................cwt. 0 12 0
0 12 0
Mvrrh,............................................................................................ cwt. 0 1 0
0 1 0
Needlework and Embroidery,........................................................... 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
Nickle, Ore o f,.....................................................................................
4 per cent.
Nickle, Metallic, and Oxide of, Refined,......................................... 10 per ct. 10 per ct.
Nitre, Cubic,.......... : .................................................................... cwt. 0 0 6
0 0 6
Nutmegs imported from British possessions until the 5th July,
1843,....................................................................................pound
Foreign,.................................................................................. pound
Do. from and after July 5, 1843,........................................pound
Wild in Shell,...................................................................................
Nuts, Pistachio,............................................................................ cwt. 0 10
0 10
Small Nuts,........................................................................... bushel 0 2
0 2
Nuts, not otherwise enumerated, except such as are com­
monly used for expressing oil therefrom,................................. 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
Nuts or kernels thereof, not particularly enumerated or charged
with duty, and commonly used for expressing oil there­
from,......................................................................................... ton
6
Nux V om ica,.......................................................................................
0
Oakum,.............................................................
cwt.
1
Ochre,....................................................................................................
6
2
Oil, o f Almonds,........................................................................ pound
Animal, Raw, not otherwise enumerated,........................... cwt.
3
Bays,........................................................................................pound
2
Castor,........................................................................................cwt.
3
Chemical, Essential, or Perfumed, viz : Cloves,............. pound
0
Carraway, Lavender, Mint, Peppermint, Spike,.................... 0
0
Cassia, Bergamot, Lemon, Otto o f Roses, Thyme, and other
sorts,...............................................................................pound 0
0
Cocoa Nut,...............................................................................cwt. 0
n
Linseed, Rape, Hemp,.............................................................. tun 6
0
Olive,................................................................................................. 2
0
Ditto, imported in a ship belonging to any o f the subjects of
the King o f the T w o Sicilies,................................................... 4
Palm ,...............................
cwt. 0
Paran,.......................................................................................... tun 2
R o c k ,.........................................................................................cwt. 0
Seed, not otherwise enumerated or described,..................... tun 6
32*




378

Commercial Regulations.
A r t ic le s .

O f and f r o m
O f a n d fr o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s . B r i t . l Jo ss .

o




©

Train, Blubber, and Spermaceti, the produce o f fish or crea­
tures living in the sea, taken and caught by the crews of
British vessels, and imported direct from the fishery, or from £ «. d.
d.
any British possession in a British vessel,.......................... tun
—
0
Train, Blubber, and Head-Matter, the produce o f fish or crea­
tures living in the sea, o f foreign fishing, until the 5th of
July, 1843,............................................................................ tun 26 12
Train and Blubber, the produce o f fish or creatures living in
the sea, o f foreign fishing, from andafter 5th July, ’43, tun 6 0
Spermaceti, o f foreign fishing, from and after 5th July, ’43, tun 15 0
W alnut,........................................................................................ 0
6
Or Spirit o f Turpentine,........................................................ 0
5
Not particularly enumerated or described, nor otherwise
charged with duty,............................................................. 20
per ct. 10 per ct.
Oil Seedcake,.................................................................................ton 0 1 0
Olibanum,...................................................................................... cwt. 0 1 0
Olives,.........................................................................................gallon 0 2 0
Onions,....................................................................................... bushel 0 0 6
Opium,........................................................................................pound 0 1 0
Orange Flower W ater,............................................................pound 0 0 1
Oranges and Lemons, v iz : in chests and boxes, not exceeding
5,000 cubic inches,..................................................................... 0 2 6
0 2 6
Over 5,000 cubic inches, and not exceeding 7,300,.................. 0 3 9
0 3 9
Over 7,300 cubic inches, and not exceeding 14,000,................ 0 7 6
0 7 6
For every 1,000 cubic inches exceeding 14,000,........................ 0 0 7J 0 0 7J
Loose,......................
thousand 0 15 0
0 15 0
Entered at value, at the option o f the importer,.....£100 value 75 0 0 75 0 0
Orchal,............................................................................................ cwt. 0 1 0
0 1 0
Ore not particularly charged with duty,........................................... 2 per ct.
4 per ct.
Orpiment,.......................................................................................cwt. 0 1 0
0 1 0
Orris R oot,............................................................................................ 0 5 0
0 5 0
Orsidew,.........................................................................................cwt. 0 10 0
0 10 0
Otto o f Roses (see Oils, Essential, & c.)
Oxen,-............................................................................................. each 1 0
0
0 10 0
1 per ct.
Painters’ Colors not particularly charged, v iz : Unmanufactured, 1 per ct.
Manufactured,.................................................................................. 10 per ct. 10 per ct.
Palmetto Thatch and Plat,.......................................................... cwt. 0 0 0
0 0 1
5 per ct.
Manufactured ditto,......................................................................... 0 0 0
Paper, v iz :— Brown, made o f old rope or cordage only, without
separating or extracting the pitch or tar therefrom, and with­
out any mixture o f other materials therewith,..............pound 0 0 3
0 0 3
Printed, Painted, or Stained Paper, or Paper Hangings, or
0 1 0
Flock Paper,............................................................square yard 0 1 0
Waste, unless printed on in the English language, or Paper o f
any other sort not particularly enumerated or described, nor
0 0 44
otherwise charged with duty,......................................... pound
Prohibited.
Printed on in the English language,............................................
Parchment,.................................................................... dozen sheets 0 6 0
0 6 0
1 10 0
Pasteboards,.................................................................................. cwt. 1 10 0
Pears, R aw ,............................................................................... bushel 0 0 6
0 0 3
0 2 0
Dried,........................................................................................ 0 2 0
Peel o f Pomegranates, Lemon, and Orange,.......................... cwt. 0 1 0
0 1 0
Pencils,.................................................................................................. 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Of Slate,.................................................................................. 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Pens,..................................................................................................... 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
0 0 6
Pepper, o f all sorts,.................................................................. pound 0 0 6
0 0 4
Percussion Caps,...................................................................thousand 0 0 4
Perfumery, not otherwise charged,................................................... 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
10 0 10 10 0
Perry,.............................................................................................. tun 10 10
Phosphorous,....................................................................................... 10 per ct. 10 per ct.
Pewter, Manufactures of,.................................................................. 15 per ct. 15 per ct.

The New British Tariff.
A r tic le s .

379
O f a n d fr o m .
F o r . C o u n t r ie s .

O f a n d fr o m

Pickles, o f all sorts, including the vinegar, and not otherwise £ s. d.
£ s. d.
enumerated,....................................................................... gallon 0 1 6
0 0 9
Preserved in Salt,....................................................... ,.................... 0 0 6
0 0 3
0
1
0
0 1 0
Pictures,...........................
each
And further,..................................................the square foot 0 1 0
0 1 0
Above 200 square feet,........................................................ 10 0 0 10 0 0
0 1 0
each 0 2 0
Pigs, Sucking,.............................................
Pimento,......................................................................................... cwt. 0 5 0
0 5 0
0 0 1
pound 0 0 1
Pink R oot,.......................
0 10 0
Pistachio Nuts,............................................................................. cwt. 0 10 0
Pitch,...................................................................................................... 0 0 G 0 0 1
0 0 2
Burgundy,...................................................................................cwt. 0 0 2
0 0 2
Plantains,........................................................................................ cwt. 0 0 2
1 0 0
Plaster o f Paris,.............................................................................. ton 1 0 0
Plate o f Gold and Plate o f SilverGilt or Ungilt,.............................. 10 per ct. 10 per ct.
Together with the stamp duty.
Free.
Plate, Battered,.....................................................................................
Wire, Gilt or Plated,..................................................................... ?
i per ct. 12£ per ct.
12J
Ditto, Silver,........................
\
Platina, and Ore o f,.............................................................................
i per cent.
Pomatum,.............................................................................................. 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
Pomegranates,....................................................................... thousand 0 5 0
0 5 0
Porcelain (see China)
Pork, Salted, (not Hams) from and after October 10, 1842, cwt. 0 8 0
0 2 0
0 2 0
Fresh,.......................................................................................... 0 8 0
Potatoes,........................................................................................ cwt. 0 0 2
0 0 1
Pots, Melting Pots for Goldsmiths,......................................hundred 0 3 2
0 3 2
O f Stone,..................................................................................... 20 per ct. 20 per ct.
5 per ct. 21 per ct.
Poultry,.................................................................................................. 5
1 0 0
Powder, Hair-Powder,.................................................................cwt. 1 0 0
1 0 0
Perfumed,................................................................................... cwt. 1 0 0
Not otherwise enumerated or described, thatwill serve the
0 10 0
same purpose as starch,...................................................... cwt. 0 10 0
Free.
Plants, Shrubs, and Trees alive,........................................................
Platting, or other manufactures to be used in or proper for making
0 10 0
hats or bonnets, viz:— O f Bast, Cane, or Horse-Hair, pound 0 10 0
0 2 6
Of Chip,................................................................................... pound 0 2 6
0 7 6
Of Straw ,................................................................................ pound 0 7 6
1 0 0
Plums, commonly called French Plums and Prunelloes,........cwt. 1 0 0
0 0 1
Prints and Drawings, plain or colored, single,.........................each 0 0 1
0 0 3
Bound or Sewn,...................................................................... dozen 0 0 3
0 7 0
Prunes,................................................................................................... 0 7 0
0 0 1
Puddings and Sausages,...........................................................pound 0 0 3
0 10 0
Quassia,..........................................................................................cwt. 0 10 0
0 0 1
Quicksilver,.................................................................................pound 0 0 1
0 0 3
Quills, G o o se ,....................................................................... thousand 0 0 6
0 1 G
Sw an,................................................................................................ 0 3 0
0 1 0
0 1 0
Quinces,................................................................................................
0 0 6
Quinine,....................................................................................... ounce 0 0 6
0 0 1
Radix, v iz:— Contrayervae, Rhatanae, and Senekae,............pound 0 0 1
0 0 2
Serpentariae or Snake R oot,........................................................... 0 0 2
0 1 0
Ipecacuanhae,.................................................................................... 0 1 0
0 2 0
Enulae, Campanae, and Eringii,..............................................cwt. 0 2 0
0 0 6
Rags, Old W oollen ,.......................................................................ton 0 0 6
Old, Old Ropes, or Junk, or Old FishingNets, fit only for
0
0 G 0 0 G
making paper or pasteboard,...............................................
0 5 0
Pulp o f Rags,...............................................................................ton 0 5 0
0 7 6
Raisins,..........................................................................................cwt. 0 15 0
0 0 3
Rhubarb,.....................................................................................pound 0 0 3
0 0 6
Rice, not rough nor in the husk,................................................cwt. 0 6 0
0 0 1
Rice, rough and in the husk,..................................................quarter 0 7 0
Ropes (see Cordage)




380

Commercial Regulations.
A r tic le s .

O f a n d fr o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s .

R osin ,..............................................................................................cwt. 0 2
Rubies (see Jewels)
Saccharum Saturni,.......................................................................cwt. 0 10
Safflower,....................................................................................... cwt. 0 1
Saffron,........................................................................................ pound 0 1
S ago,............................................................................................... cwt. 0 1
Sal Lim onum ,............................................................................pound 0 1
0 1
Sal Prunella,...........................................................
Sal Amm oniac,..............................................................................cwt. 0 1
Salep,..............................................................................................cwt. 0 1
Salt,................................................................................................
Saltpetre,........................................................................................ cwt. 0 0
Sanguis Dragonis,......................................................................... cwt. 0 4
Sarsaparilla,................................................................................ pound 0 0
Sassafras,........................................................................................ cwt. 0 0
Sausages and Puddings,.......................................................... pound 0 0
Scaleboards,................................................................................... cwt. 1 10
Scammony,................................................................................. pound 0 0
Sealing W a x ,........................................................................................ 15 per
Seed (Oil) Cake,.............................................................................ton 0 1
Seeds, Acorn,.............................................................................bushel 0 .1
Mustard,................................................................................. bushel 0 1
Aniseed, Coriander, Cummin, Fennugreek, Millet, Trefoil,
W orm ,.................................................................................... cwt. 0 5
Carraway, Carrot, Clover, Forest, Parsley, Quince, shrub or
tree,........................................................................................ cwt. 0 10
Canary,................................................................................... bushel 0 4
Grass, o f all sorts, not particularly enumerated or otherwise
charged with duty,............................................................... cwt. 0 5
Leek,........................................................................................... cwt. 1 0
Lucerne and Lupine,............................................................... cwt. 0 5
Cole, Flax, Hemp, Linseed, Rape, and Sesamum,....... quarter 0 0
Lettuce,................................................................................. quarter 0 1
Onion, until the 5th July, 1843,..........................................pound 0 1
Ditto, from and after the 5th July, 1843,.............................cwt. 1 0
Poppy and M aw,................................................................. quarter 0 1
T ares,.................................................................................... quarter 0 5
A ll other seeds not particularly enumerated or described, or
otherwise charged with duty, commonly used for expressing
oil therefrom,.................................................................... quarter 0 0
A ll other seeds not particularly enumerated or described, nor
otherwise charged with duty,...........................................
10 per
Garden, not particularly enumerated or desccribed, or other­
wise charged with duty,................................................... pound 0 0
Segais (see Tobacco)
0 0
Senna,.......................................................................................... .
Sheep,.............................................................................................each 0 3
Ships, to be broken up, with their tackle, apparel, and furniture,
(except sails) v iz:— foreign ships or vessels,..... £100 value 25
25 0
Foreign Ships broken up,............................................................... 10 0
British Ships or Vessels entitled to be registered as such, and
not having been built in the United Kingdom,..............
Shumac,............................................................................................ ton 0 1
Silk, viz :— Knubs or Husks o f Silk and Waste Silk,........... cwt. 0 1
R a w ,........................................................................................ pound 0 1
Thrown, not dyed, viz :— Singles,.................................................. 00 1
T ram ,............................................................................................... 00 1
Organzine and Crape,................................................................... 0 0 1
Thrown, dyed, viz :— Singles, or Tram,......................................... 0 0 2
Organzine or Crape,...................................................................... 0 0 2
Manufactures o f Silk, or o f silk mixed with any other mate­
rial, the produce o f Europe, viz :—




0

O f and f r o m
B r it. P oss.

0

1 o

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Free.
6
0
0
0
1
0
6
0
3
0
0
1
6
0
ct. 15
0
0
0
0
3
0
0

0

0
0

0
0

0
0
0
1
0
6
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1

0

ct.

0

2

6

0

1

5 per ct.

1

0

1
0

0
0

0
0

25
10

Free.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0 1

The New British Tariff.

381
O f and from, O f a n a f r o m
For. Countries. B r i t . P o s s .

£ 0 11s. 0cl.
s 25 0 0
•pound1 0 15 0
: 30 0 0
. 0 17 0
s 30 0 0
Gauze, Striped, Figured, or Brocaded,..
. 1 7 6
s 30 0 0
. 0 16 0
! 30 0 0
Crape, Figured,..
. 18 0 0
or, at the optic
: 30 0 0
Velvet, Plain,....
.pound1 1 2 0
: 30 0 0
-------- Figured,...................................................................... pound[ 1 7 6
or, at the option o f the officers o f the customs,....... pei
: 30 0 0
. 0 17 0
: 30 0 0
----------And further, if mixed with gold, silver, or other metal,
in addition to the above rates, when duty is not charged ac­
cording to value,............................................................... pound l 0 10 0
Fancy Silk Net or Tricot,...................................................pound [ 1 4 0
Plain Silk Lace, or Net called Tulle,...................... square yardl 0 1 4
Manufactures o f Silk, mixed with any other material, not par­
ticularly enumerated or otherwise charged with duty,..
. 30 per ct.
Millinery o f Silk, or o f which the greater part o f the material
is of Silk, viz :— Turbans or Caps,................................... each 0 15 0
Hats and Bonnets,........................................................................... 1 5 0
Dresses,....... ...................................................................................... 2 10 0
or, at the option of the officers o f the customs,...................... . 40 per ct.
Manufactures o f Silk, or o f silk and other materials, or articlesi
o f the same, wholly or in part made up, not particularly enu-

£

s. d.

Silk, Figured or Brocaded,..

20 per Ct.
Skin's, Furs, Pelts, and Tails, v iz :—
Badger, Undressed,.................................................... dozen skins
Bear, ditto,.................................................................................skin
Skins, Beaver, Undressed,...........................................................skin
Cat, Undressed,.......................................................... dozen skins
Chinchilla, ditto,....................................................................... ditto
Coney,..................................................................................hundred
Deer Skins, Undressed,............................................................skin

Dog Skins, in the hair, not Tanned, Tawed, or any way
Dressed,...............................................................................dozen
Dog-fish, Undressed,................................................................ ditto1
Elk Skins, Undressed,..............................................................skin:
Ermine, Undressed,...............................................................dozen,
Ditto, Dressed,........................................................................ dozen
Fisher, Undressed,.................................................................dozen
Fitch, Undressed,................................................................... dozen
Fox, Undressed,........................................................................ skin
Ditto, Tails, Undressed,.......................................................... each
Goat Skins, Raw or Undressed,..........................................dozen
Ditto, Tanned, Tawed, or any way Dressed,................... dozen
Goose, Undressed,................................................................. dozen
Hare, Undressed,...............................................................hundred
Husse, ditto,........................................................................... dozen
Kangaroo, ditto,..................................................................... dozen
Kid Skins, in the hair, Undressed,..........1...................... hundred
Ditto, Dressed,.................................................................... hundred




fi

5 per ct.
0 15 0
1 5 0
2 10 0
40 per ct.

30 per ct.
20 per Ct.

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

i
3
0
1
2
0
0
0
0

0
8
0
0
6
1
2
6

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0

9
0
2
6
0
3
04
l
3

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
1
0
0
2
4
1
0
0
0
5
1
0
3
0
0
5

2
0
6
6
0
0
0
6
2
3
0
0
6
0
2
4
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2

1
1
3
3
0
0
6
3
1
2
6
6
3
6
1
2
6

382

Commercial Regulations.
A r t ic le s .

O f an d fr o m
O f and fr o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s . B r i t . P o s s .

Kid Skins, Dyed or Colored,..... j .....................................hundred £ 0 10s. Od.XO 5s. Orf
Kolinski, Undressed,..............................................................dozen 0 1 0
0 6
Lamb Skins, Undressed, in wool,................................... hundred 0 0 4
Ditto, Tanned, or Tawed,.............................................................. 0 5 0
Ditto, Dyed or Colored,.................................................................. 0 10 0
Ditto, Dressed in Oil,...................................................................... 2
0
6
Leopard, Undressed,.................................................................skin 0
6
Lion, ditto,........................................................................................ 0
Lynx, ditto,........................................................................................ 0
6
Martin, ditto,.................................................................................... 0
4
6
Tails, Undressed,............................................................ hundred 0
0
Mink, Undressed,................................................................... dozen 0
6
Dressed,................................................................................... skin 0
M ole, Undressed,................................................................ hundred 0
0
0
Musquash, ditto,.................................................................. hundred 0
0
Nutria, ditto,........................................................................ hundred 0
Otter,........................................................................................... skin 0
0
2
Ounce,................................................................................................ 0
2
Panther,.............................................................................................. 0
Pelts, all sorts, Undressed,.....................................................dozen 0
0
0
Tanned, Tawed, or any way Dressed,.................................... 0
6
R acoon ,.....................................................................................dozen 0
Sable, Undressed,.......................................................................skin 0
0
6
Tails or Tips, Undressed,.................................................. dozen 0
Seal, in the hair, not Tanned, Tawed, or any way Dressed, sk. 0
4
Do. o f British taking, imported direct from the fishery, or a
0
British possession,................................................................dozen 0
6
Sheep, Undressed, in the wool,.............................................dozen 0
0 12 0
Do. Tanned or Tawed,...................................................... hundred
Do. Dressed in Oil,..........................................................................
1 0 0
0 10
0 1
Squirrel or Calabar, Undressed,........................................ hundred
03 0
0 2
Do. Taw ed,....................................................................................... 0 5 0
Do. Tails, Undressed,.................................................................... 5 per ct.
2£ per ct.
Swan, Undressed,...................................................................... skin 0 0 3
0 0 2
T ig e r ,................................................................................................. 0
1 6
0 0 9
W eazel,.....................................................................................dozen 0 0 3
0 0 2
W olf, Undressed,.................................................................... dozen 0 2 0
0 1 0
Tawed,.....................................................................................skin 0 5 0
0 2 6
Wolverings, Undressed,.................................................................. 0
0 3
0 0 2
Skins and Furs, or pieces o f skins and furs, raw or undressed,
not particularly enumerated or described, nor otherwise
2 10 0
charged with duty,................................. for every X100 value 5 0 0
Skins and Furs, or pieces o f skins and furs, tanned, curried,
or in any way dressed, not particularly enumerated or de­
scribed, nor otherwise charged with duty,......... X I 00 value 10 0 0
5 0 0
Articles manufactured o f skin, or furs,...for every X100 value 20 per ct.
10per ct.
Smalts,..........................................................................................pound 0 0 2 0 0 2
Snuff (see T obacco)
Soap, Hard,......................................................................................cwt. 1 10 0
1 0
0 15
Soft,......................................................................................................
1 0 0
2 16
Naples,................................................................................................. 2 16 0
Spa W are,.............................................................................................. 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Spelter or Zinc, v iz :— Crude in Cakes, and not Rolled or
1
otherwise manufactured,......................................................... ton 0 1 0
10
Rolled, but not otherwise manufactured,...................................... 2 10 0
10 per ct.
Manufactures of,...............................................................................
Spermaceti, Fine,................................................................................. 25 per ct. 25 per ct.
Spirits, or Strong Waters, o f all sorts, viz :— For every gallon of
such spirits or strong waters o f any strength, not exceeding
the strength o f proof by Sykes’ hydrometer, and so in propor­
tion for any greater or less strength than the strength o f proof,
and for any greater or less quantity than a gallon, v iz :—




The New British Tariff.
A r t ic le s .

383
O f an d f r o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s .

O f and f r o m
B r it. P o ss.

Being Spirits or Strong Waters, not the produce o f any British
possessions, and not being sweetened spirits, or spirits mixed
£ s. d.
with any article, so that the degree o f strength thereof can. £ s. d.
------not be exactly ascertained by such hydrometer,..........gallon 1 2
6
Spirits or Strong Waters, the produce o f any British possession
in America, not being sweetened spirits or spirits so mixed,
as aforesaid,................................................................................... 0 0 0
0 9 0
Rum, the produce o f any British possession within the limits
o f the East India Company’s charter, not being sweetened
spirits, or spirits so mixed as aforesaid, in regard to which
the conditions o f the A ct 4 Vic. c. 8, have or shall have
0 9 0
been fulfilled,............................................................................... 0 0 0
Rum Shrub, however sweetened, the produce o f and imported
from such possessions, in regard to which the conditions of
the A ct 4 Vic. c. 8, have or shall have been fulfilled, or the
produce o f and imported from any British possession in
America,....................................................................................... 0 0 0
0 9 0
Spirits or Strong Waters, the produce o f any British possession
within the limits o f the East India Company’s charter, ex­
cept rum, in regard to which the conditions o f the A ct 4
Vic. c. 8, have or shall have been fulfilled, not being sweet­
ened spirits, or spirits so mixed as aforesaid,.......................... 0 0 0
0 15 0
Spirits, Cordials, or Strong Waters, not being the produce of
any British possession in America, nor o f any British pos­
session within the limits o f the East India Company’s char­
ter, in regard to which the conditions o f the Act 4 Vic. c. 8,
have or shall have been fulfilled, sweetened, or mixed with
any article, so that the degree o f strength thereof cannot be
exactly ascertained by Sykes’ hydrometer; and perfumed
spirits to be used as perfumery only,..............................gallon 1 10 0
1 10 0
Cordials, or Strong Waters, (except Rum Shrub,) being the
produce o f any British possession in America, or o f any
British possession qualified as aforesaid, sweetened or mixed
with any article as aforesaid,............................................ gallon 0
0 0
1
00
Liqueurs, the produce of, and imported from British posses­
sions in America, or o f and from any British possession,
qualified as aforesaid, not being o f greater strength than the
strength o f proof by Sykes’ hydrometer,................................. 0 0 0
0 9 0
Being o f greater strength by Sykes’ hydrometer, except Rum
........
0 13
Shrub,............................................................................................
Sponge,.........................................................................................pound 0
0 6
0 0
Spruce,......................................................................................... barrel 1 0
0
1 0
Essence o f Spruce, not otherwise described,.............................. 10 per ct.
Squills, Dried,................................................................................. cwt. 0
1 0
0 1
Not Dried,......................................................................................... 0 0 6
0 0
Starch,..............................................................................................cwt. 0 10 0 - 0
5
Gam of, Torrified or Calcined, commonly called British
0 15
Gum ,........................................................................................cwt. 0 15 0
0 4
Stavesacre,...................................................................................... cwt. 0
4 0
Steel, Manufactures of,............................................... ...................... 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
Ditto, Unwrought,........................................................................... 15 per ct.
0 1 0
Ditto, ditto, o f or from a British possession,.......................... ton
------Sticks (see Canes)
Stone in Lumps, not in any manner hewn, slate and marble in
rough blocks and slabs, lime stone, flint stones, felspar and
stones for potters’ use, pebble stones, stones to be used for
Free.
the purpose o f lithography,...........................................
0 2 0
0 0 6
0 10 0
0 1 0
.cwt. 0 3 0
0 1 (i
.cwt. 0 0 1
0 0 1
Straw or Grass,
.cwt. 0 0 1
0 0 I




384

Commercial Regulations.
O f and from
O f and f r o m
For. Countries. B r i t . P o s s

Succades and Confectionery, including all fruits and vegetables £ s. d. £ s. d.
preserved in.sugar,..................................................................pound 0 0 6
0 0 1
Sugar and Molasses, until 5th July, 1843, viz :— Brown, or Mus­
covado, or Clayed Sugar, not being refined,..................... cwt. 3 3 0
T he growth o f any B.P. in America, and imported from
thence,....................................................................................cwt.
------1 4 0
T he growth o f any B.P. within the limits o f the East India
Company’s charter, into which the importation o f foreign
sugar may be by this A ct prohibited, and imported from
thence,....................................................................................cwt.
.cwt.
1 4 0
T he growth o f any other B.P. within those limits, and1 im­
imported from thence,....................................................
1 13 0
Molasses,.....................................................................................cwt.
cwt.
3 9
The produce of, and imported from any B.P........
0 9 0
Refined,............................................................................
.cwt. 8 8 0
8 8 0
Candy, Brown,..........................................................................cwt.
.cwt. 5 12 0
5 12 0
W hite,.....................................................................................cwt.
cwt. 8 8 0
8 8 0
Maple, if accompanied with a certificate o f its being the propro­
.cwt.
duce o f a B.P— ..................................................................cwt.
1 4 0
I f not accompanied by such certificate, (C.O. 2d February,
1833,)....................................................................................cwt. 3 3 0
Canadian, Maple Sugar, imported from Canada, admitted to
entry as the produce o f a British plantation, provided it shall
be certified by the proper officers o f the customs, in the
certificate o f clearance, that such sugar is the produce
o f Canada, C.O. 15th March, 1836.
Highly Crystallized, called “ Patent Sugar,” chiefly from De0 8 8 0
merara, to pay (C.O. 20th June, 1838,)........................... cwt. 8 8
Sulphur Impressions,.............................................................. ............ 5 per ct. 5 per ct.
Swine,.............................................................................................each 0 5
0
0 26
Tails (see Skins)
T a llo w ,............................................................................................cwt. 0 3 2
Tamarinds,.................................................................................. pound 0 0 3
Tapioca,.......................................................................
cwt.
01 0
T a lc ,................................................................................................ cwt. 0 10 0
Tar, per last, containing 12 barrels, each barrel not exceeding
31 £ gallons,................................................................................... 0
2 6
Barbadoes,...................................................................................cwt. 0 2 6
Tares (Seeds)
1
Tarras,........................................................................................bushel 0 1 3
0
Tartaric A cid,............................................................................. pound 0 0 1
2
T ea,..........................................*............................................................ 0 2 1
0
Teasles,.......................................................................... thousand
0 0 3
1
Teeth— Elephants’ ,Sea-cow,Sea-horse, or Sea-Morse,............cwt. 0 1 0
Telescopes,............................................................................................ 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
0 4 0
Terra Umbra,........................................................................... i .......... 0 4 0
0 10 0
Sienna,.......................................................................................... ton 0 10 0
0 5 0
Japonica and Verde,..........'....................................................... ton 0 5 0
5 0 0
Thread, not otherwise enumerated or described,............. per cent 10 0 0
T iles,...................................................................................................... 10 per ct. 10 per ct.
0 0 6
T in ca l,................................ ............................................................ ton
0 1 0
0 10 0
T in Ore, and Regulus of,............................................................... ton 2 10 0
0 3 0
In blocks, ingots, bars, or slabs,..........................................cwt. 0 6 0
0 0 6
Foil,......................................................................................pound 0 0 6
Manufactures of, not otherwise enumerated,.......................... 15 per ct. 15 per ct.
0 3 0
T obacco, Unmanufactured,.....................................
0
3 0
0 6 0
Snuff,.................................................................................................. 0
6 0
0 9 0
Manufactured, or Segars,................................................................ 0
9 0
Stalks and Flour o f T obacco,.......................................................
Prohibited.
[Manufactured in the United Kingdom, at or within two miles o f any port into which
tobacco may be imported, made into shag, roll, or carrot tobacco, drawback upon ex­
portation or shipment as stores, the pound, 2s. 7£d.]




The New British Tariff.

385
O f or from O f and f rom
Fur. Countries. Brit. Boss.

. 15 per ct. 15 per Ct.
■£ J 10s. 0 d..£0 2st. 6d
Tornsal,..........................................*.............................................. cwt.. 0 1 0
0 1 0
Tortoise and Turtle Shell, Unmanufactured,........................ pound1 0 1 0
0 0 1
Toys, excepting toy and hand-mirrors, on which the plate glass
duty will be levied,.......................................................................... . 10 per Ct. 10 per Ct.
0 i 0
Truffles,...... ...............................
poundI 0 i 0
Turmeric,.................................................................
ton. 0 5 0
0 0 l
Turnery, not otherwise described,.................................................... , 15 per Ct. 15 per Ct.
Turpentine, viz :— Not being of greater value than 9s. per cwt.. 0 0 l
0 0 1
. 0 1 0
0 0 3
, 0 5 0
0 2 6
Of Venice, Scio, or Cyprus,................................................ poundl 0 0 10
0 0 10
Twine,............................................................................................ cwt.. 0 10 0
0 5 0
Valonea,............................................................................................toni 0 5 0
0 5 0
Vanilloes,..................................................................................... poundl 0 5 0
0 5 0
. 15 per ct. 15 per Ct.
. 1 per Ct.
1 per Ct.
0 i 0
Vellum,............................................................................................skin. 0 i 0
Vegetables, not enumerated or described,....................................... . 5 per Ct.
24 per ct.
Verdigris,.................................................................................... pound. 0 0 l
0 0 1
Vermicelli and Maccaroni,...................................................... poundI 0 0 l
0 0 1
Verjuice,...........................................................................................tun, 10 0 0 10 0 0
3
Vermilion,................................................................................... pound 0 0
0 0 3
Vinegar,............................................................................................tun 18 18 0 18 18 0
Wafers,........................................................................................ pound1 0 0 3
0 0 3
0 2 0
Walnuts,..................................................................................... bushel1 0 2 0
Washing Balls,....... ....................................................................pound. 0 0 6
0 0 6
Watches o f Gold, Silver, or other metals,................ ......................... 10 per Ct. 10 per Ct.
0 0 1
Water, viz :— Mineral W ater,.................................................. gallon 0 0 1
Water, Cologne, (39 not containing more than 1 gallon) flask 0 1 0
0 1 0
Wax, Bees’ ,.................................................................................... cwt.. 0 2 0
0 1 0
Do. do. in any degree bleached,.................................................... 1 0 0
0 10 0
Do. Myrtle do................................................................................... 0 2 0
0 1 0
Do. Sealing W ax,............................................................................ . 15 per Ct. 15 per Ct.
0 5 0
W eld,................................................................................................ ton 0 5 0
Whalefins, British taking, and imported direct from the fishery,
1 0 0
or from any British possession in a British ship,..................... ! o 0 0
Otherwise taken, from and after the 5th July, 1842, until the
i 95 0 0
20 per Ct. 20 per Ct.
0 0 6
Whipcord,.................................................................................. pound ; o 0 6
Wine, viz :— The produce o f the Cape o f Good Hope, or the ter­
ritories or dependencies thereof, and imported directly froml
0 2 9
thence,................................................................................ gallon L
, 0 5 6
. 0 5 6
. 0 5 6
0 5 6
. 0 5 6
0 5 6
0 5 6
or shipment as stores.]
allowed on the lees of
wine exported.
0 5 0
Woad,......................................................... ....................................ton 0 5 0
W ood and Timber—
Timber or W ood— Not being deals, battens, boards, staves,
handspikes, oars, lathvvood, or other timber or wood, sawn,
split or otherwise dressed, except hewn, and not being tim­
ber or wood otherwise charged with duty, from and after
0 1 0
the 10th October, 1843,.................. the load o f 50 cubic feet 1 10 0
VOL. V II.---- NO. IV .




33

386

Commercial Regulations.
O f or fr o m
O f and fr o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s . B r i t . P o s s .

A r t ic le s .

Timber or W ood— From and after the 10th October, 1843,.... 1 5 0
0 1 0
-------Deals, battens, boards, or other timber or wood, sawn or
split, and not otherwise charged with duty, from and after
the 10th October, 1842, until the 10th October, 1843,
the load o f 50 cubic feet, 1 18 0
0 2 0
0 2 0
Ditto, from and after the 10th October, 1843,............................ 1 12 0
Or, in lieu o f the duties hereinbefore imposed upon wood by the load, according to the
cubic content, the importer may have the option, at the time o f passing the first entry,
o f entering battens, batten-ends, boards, deals, deal-ends, and plank, by tale, if of, or
from, foreign countries, according to the following dimensions, v iz :—
F rom and A fter O ct . 10, 1842.
N o t a b ov e 1^ in c h
in th ic k n e s s .

Battens and Batten-ends, not above 7 inches in width.
Not above G feet in length,............................. the 120
Above G and not above 9 feet in length,.......the 120
A bove 9 and not above 12,..................................
Above 12 and not above 15,.................................
A bove 15 and not above 18,.................................
Above 18 and not above 21,.........................................
Boards, Deals, Deal-ends, and Plank, not above 9£
inches in width.

£

s.

1
2
3
4
5
6

£
3
5
7
19
10
2

d.

16 7
14 10
13 2
11 5
9 9
8 0

f o t a b o v e 1£ in c h
in th ic k n e s s .

N ot above 6 feet in length,..............................the 120 2 18
A bove 6 and not above 9,....................................
4 8
A bove 9 and not above 12,..................................
5 17
Above 12 and not above 15,......................................... 7 6
Above 15 and not above 18,.................................
8 16
Above 18 and not above 21,......................................... 10 5
Not above 6 feet in length. Above 9£ inches, and
not above 11£ in width,.................................the 120 3 11
Above 6 and not above 9,....................................
5 6
Above 9 and not above 12,........................................... 7 2
A bove 12 and not above 15,.......................................... 8 17
A bove 15 and not above 18,......................................... 10
10 13
A bove 18 and not above 21,.................................
12 8
F rom

0
6
0
6
0
6
A fter

N o t above 14: in ch
in th ic k n e s s .

Battens and Batten-ends, not above 7 inches in width.
dth. £ S. d .
Not above 6 feet in length,..............................the 120 1 10 10
Above 6 and not above 9 feet in length,....... the 120
120 2 6 2
Above 9 and not above 1 2 ,..........................
3 1 7
Above 12 and not above 15,........................
3 17 0
A bove 15 and not above 18,.........................
4 12 5
Above 18 and not above 21,.......................................... 5 7 9
Boards, Deals, Deal-ends, and Plank, not above! 9£
9J
inches in width.
N o t a b ov e 1A in ch
in th ic k n e s s .

Not above 6 feet in length,..............................the 120
120 2
3
Above 6 and not above 9 ,............................
4
Above 9 and not above 12,...........................
Above 12 and not above 15,......................................... 6
Above 15 and not above 18,........................................
7
Above 18 and not above 21,........................................
8
Not above 6 feet in length. Above 9£ inches and
not above 11^ in width,.................................the 120
120 2
Above 6 and not above 9,............................................ 4
Above 9 and not above 12,.......................................... 5
Above 12 and not above 15,......................................... 7
Above 15 and not above 18,......................................... 8
1 Above 18 and not above 21,........................ .
10




s. d .
13 2
9 9
6 4
2 10
19 6
16 0

A b o v e l.J inch,
a n d n o t a b ov e 3i.

5
8
11
14
17
20

8
0
4
8
0
4

and

A bove
in ch ,
a n d n o t above 2,|.

17
16
14
13
12
10

4
0
8
4
0
8

7 2 0
10 13 0
14 4 0
17 15 0
21 6 0
24 17 0
O ct . 10, 1843
A b o v e 1\ in c h ,
a n d n o t a b ov e 2}
£

s.

d.

3 1 7
4 12 5
6 3 2
7 14 0
9 4 10
10 15 7
A bove
in c h ,
an d n ot above 3

9 5
14 1
18 10
3 6
8 3
12 11

4 18 10
7 8 3
9 17 8
12 7 1
14 16 6
17 5 11

19 10

5
8
11
14
17
20

6

19
9
19
9

8

7
6

5

4

19
19
19
19
18
18

7•
5
2
6

9
7

The New British Tariff.
A r tic le s .

387
O f or fr o m
O f and f r o m
F o r . C o u n t r ie s . B r i t . P o s s .

Staves,........................................................... load o f 50 cubic feet .£1
£1 8s,, 0d.£0 2s. 0 d
Birch, Hewn, not exceeding 3 feet in length, nor exceeding
8 inches square, imported for the sole purpose o f making
herring barrels for the use o f the fisheries, load o f 50 c. feet 0 1 0
0 1 0
Fire W o o d ,...................................................per fathom, 216 feet 0 10 0
Free.
Handspikes, not exceeding 7 feet in length,....................the 120 1 0 0
0 0 6
Exceeding 7 feet,.............................................................the 120 2 0 0
0 1 0
Hoops, not exceeding 7\ feet in length,...................... thousand 0 2 0
0 0 4
Not exceeding 9 feet in length,.................................thousand 0 3 0
0 0 6
Exceeding 9 feet in length,......................................... thousand 0 5 0
0 1 0
Knees under 5 inches square,............................................ the 120 0 10 0
0 0 3
5 inch and under 8 inch,............................................................ 2 0 0
0 1 0
Lath W o o d ,....................................... per fathom, 216 cubic feet 2 0 0
0 1 0
Oars,.......................................................................................the 120 7 10 0
0 3 9
Spars or Poles, under 22 feet in length, and under 4 inches
in diameter,.................................................................. the 120 1 0 0
0 0 6
22 feet in length, and upwards, and under 4 inches in dia­
meter,............................................................................ the 120 2 0 0
0 1 0
All lengths, 4 inches and under 6 inches in diameter,.......... 4 0 0
0 2 0
Spokes for wheels, not exceeding 2 feet in length,...thousand 2 0 0
0 1 0
Exceeding 2 feet in length,....................................................... 4 0 0
0 2 0
Teak,..........................................................................................load 0 10 0
0 1 0
Billet or Brushwood used for stowage,.................... £100 value 5 0 0
0 5 0
W ood Planed, or otherwise dressed or prepared for use, and :9 d. per cunot particularly enumerated, nor otherwise charged with •bic ft. Fur. 5 per ct.
duty, from and after the 10th Oct. 1842, until 10th Oct. ’43, ' 1ther, 10 per ct.
Ditto, from and after the 10th October, 1843, 7\d. per ft., and 10 per ct.
5 per ct.
Woods— Amaboyna, Mahogany, Rosewood, and Blackwood, ton 1 0 0
0 5 0
Mahogany and Rosewood, imported from the Bay o f Hondu­
ras, or the Musquito shore,...................................................ton 0 5 0
0 5 0
Cedar, Ebony, King, Olive W ood, and Satin,............................ 0 10 0
0 2 6
Lignumvitae,........................................................................ .
0 2 6
0 5 0
Brazilletto,................................................................................
0 2 0
0 2 0
Boxwood,...................................................................................
0 2 6
0 10 0
Beef, Speckled, Sweet, Santa Maria, and Zebra W ood,..
0 2 6
0 5 0
Brazil W o o d ,.................................................................................... 0 2 0
0 2 0
Tulip W ood,..................................................................................... 0 10 0
0 2 6
Bar, Cam, Log, Nicaragua, Red, or Guinea, Sapan, and Saun­
ders R ed,.................................................................................ton 0 2 0
0 2 0
Yellow Saunders,............................................................................ 0 5 0
0 2 6
Walnut,........................................................................................ ton 0 5 0
0 1 0
W ool, Alpaca, and the Llama tribe,......................................... cwt. 0 2 6
0 2 0
W ool, Beaver,....................................................................... pound 0 0 6
0 0 6
Cut and Combed ditto,................................................................... 0 1 0
0 0 3
Coney,.......................................................................................
0 0 1 0 0 6
Cotton W ool, or Waste o f Cotton W o o l,........................... cwt. 0 2 11
0 0 1
Goats’ W ool or Hair,...................................................................... 0 2 0
Free
Free
Hares’ ,..................................................................................... pound 0 0 1
Free
Sheep or Lambs, not being o f the valueo f Is. the lb. thereof, 0 0 04
Free
Ditto, being o f the value o f Is. the lb., or upwards,................ 0 0 l
\Woollens— Manufactures o f W ool, not being goats’ wool, or of
\
wool mixed with cotton, not particularly enumerated or de5 per ct.
\ scribed, nor otherwise charged with duty,......................
15 per ct.
Articles o f manufactures o f wool, not goats’ wool, or wool
mixed with cotton, wholly or part made up, not otherwise
charged with duty,.............................................................
20 per ct. 10 per ct.
0 3 0
Yams,— Cable Yarns,................................................................. cwt. 0 6 0
Raw Linen,...................................................................cwt. 0 1 0
0 1 0
0 0 6
Worsted,..................................................................... pound 0 0 6
0 0 1
Camel or Mohair,......................................................pound 0 0 8
Zafire,............................................................................................ cwt. 0 1 0
0 0 1




Commercial Statistics.

338

B r it is h T a r i f f , E t c .— Continued.
Duties o f Customs payable on Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, being the growth, pro­
duce, or manufacture o f the United Kingdom, exported from the United Kingdom
to foreign parts :—
£ s. d.
Coal, Culm, Cinders, in a foreign ship,............................................................. ton 0 4 0
2 0
Coal, in a British ship, viz :— Not being small coal,..................................... 0
Small Coal, that is to say, coals which shall have been screened through
a riddle or screen, the bars o f which are not in any part thereof more
than § o f an inch asunder, and culm,...................................................... 0
1 0
Clay and China Stone,...................................................................................... cwt. 0 0 3
Cement, Stone, and Flint, (except for ballast,) ground andunground,....cwt.
0 0 6
W ools and Skins,................................................................................................. 0
1 0
Manufactures, or pretended manufactures, slightly wrought up, so as that
the same may be reduced to and made use o f as wool again ; mattresses
or beds stuffed with combed wool, or wool fit forcombing or carding, 0 1 0

T A R IF F OF B R A ZIL .
F r ee m a n H u n t , E sq .:— Sir— Having observed in the number o f your Magazine and

Commercial Review for the month o f September, an article entitled “ Tariff o f Impor­
tation o f Brazil,” I beg leave to state that the per centage duty on the fixed value, as
stated page 295, on flour from wheat, ought to be 15 per cent, and not 48£ per cent, as
stated; and by this you will observe that the most important item o f export from the
United States to the empire o f Brazil is not so much affected. Taking the liberty of
requesting the insertion o f this correction in the next number o f your Review,
X remain, your most obedient subscriber,
Luiz H e n r iq u e F e r r e ir a d’ A g u ia r ,
New York, Sept. 2, 1842.

Brazilian Consul-General.

COMMERCIAL STATI STI CS.
SK E T C H OF TH E A N N U A L S T A T E M E N T OF T H E C OM M ERCE A N D
N A V IG A T IO N OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S FOR 1841.
W e have received from the Treasury Department a copy o f the annual report which
has just been printed. This report is made (annually) in conformity with the provisions
o f the act o f Congress o f the 10th o f February, 1820, and provides for the obtaining
“ accurate statements o f the foreign commerce o f the United States.” The present re­
port contains the usual statements, v iz :— General and summary statements o f the quan­
tity and value o f foreign merchandise imported and exported to different countries—
General and summary statements o f the quantity and value o f domestic produce ex­
ported— A general statement o f the quantity o f American and foreign tonnage entered
into the United States— A statement exhibiting the number, national character, & c., of
the foreign vessels which entered into the United Slates— A general statement o f the
number o f American and foreign vessels cleared from the United States, exhibiting also
the number, national character, & c., o f the foreign vessels which cleared from the United
States— A statement o f the aggregate o f the foreign tonnage which entered into and
cleared from the United States— A statistical view o f the commerce and navigation of
the United States, and o f each state and territory— And statements o f the number and
tonnage o f vessels which entered each district from foreign countries, and cleared from
each district for foreign countries.
In anticipation o f the regular summary statements, which we shall publish as usual,
(in a future number o f the magazine,) we have made the following sketch o f the com­
merce and navigation o f the United States for 1841.




Commercial Statistics.

389

The imports for the commercial year ending 30th September, 1841, amounted to
$127,946,177; o f which there was imported in American vessels $113,221,877, and in
foreign vessels $14,724,300. The exports during the year amounted to $121,851,803;
o f which 106,382,000 were o f domestic, and $15,469,081 o f foreign articles. Of domes­
tic articles $82,569,389 were exported in American vessels, and $23,813,333 in foreign
vessels. Of the foreign articles $12,239,249 were exported in American vessels, and
$3,229,832 in foreign vessels.
1,631,909 tons o f American shipping entered, and
1,634,156 tons o f American shipping cleared from the ports o f the United States; 736,444
tons o f foreign shipping entered, and 36,849 tons cleared during the same period :—
The registered tonnage is stated at.................................................................. $945,803.42
Enrolled and licensed tonnage at...................................................................... 1,107,067.88
Fishing vessels at.......................... .......................................................................
77,873.37
Making a total of................................................................. 2,130,744.67
Of the registered and enrolled tonnage as above stated, there were em­
ployed in the whale fishery,........................................................................... $157,405.17
The total tonnage of shipping built in the United States during the year ending on the
30th of September, 1841, is stated at 64,302.40 registered, and 54,591.31 enrolled—
total tons and hundredths, 118,893.71.
Imports— The value o f the imports from foreign countries into the United States in
1841 is as follows:—
Free of duty,.........................................
$66,019,731
Paying duties ad valorem,..................................................................................... 34,610,642
Paying specific duties,............................................................................................ 27,315,804
Making a total as before stated o f..................................... 127,946,177
The value o f merchandise paying specific duties imported into the United
States in American vessels in 1841 amounted to......................................... $23,700,022
The value of merchandise paying ad valorem duties to................................... 30,525,629
The value o f merchandise free o f duty to.......................................................... 58,996,226
Total in American vessels,........................ ......................... 113,221,877
The value o f merchandise
States in foreign vessels
The value o f merchandise
The value o f merchandise

paying specific duties, imported into the United
in 1841, amounted to.............................................
in foreign vessels paying ad valorem duties, to
in foreign vessels free o f duty, to........................

3,615,782
4,085,013
7,023,505

Total in foreign vessels,.......................................................

14,724,300

Exports— The value o f foreign merchandise exported in 1841 amounted to
$15,469,081 ; o f which $3,632,385 was entitled to drawback, and $11,836,696 not en­
titled to drawback.

The domestic exports of the United States in 1841 amounted, as

before stated, to $106,382,722 as follow s:—
Products o f the Sea, embracing Fisheries,........................................................... $2,846,851
993,262
“
o f the Forest— Skins, Furs, & c ...........................................................
“
“
Ginseng,........................................................................
437,245
“
“
W o o d ,............................................................................. 4,837,345
Agriculture— Product o f Animals,......................................................................... 4,360,180
“
Vegetable Food, Breadstuffs, & c ................................................... 12,377,282
“
T obacco,............................................................................................. 12,576,703
“
Cotton,................................................................................................. 54,330,341
“
All other agricultural products,.......................................................
103,441
Total o f Manufactures,............................................................................................ 13,523,072
For a table o f the value o f the imports and exports o f each state and territory in 1841,
see Merchants’ Magazine for September, 1842, vol. 7, no. 3, page 286.




33*

390

Commercial Statistics.
COM MERCE A N D N A V IG A T IO N OF N E W O R L E A N S F O R 1842.

The commerce o f N ew Orleans, embracing the imports, exports, and monthly arrivals
o f shipping, & c., is made up to the 31st o f August in each year. From the annual
statement o f the New Orleans Price Current, Commercial Intelligencer, and Merchants’
Transcript, we have compiled the following statements for the year 1842, commencing
on the 1st o f September, 1841, and ending on the 31st o f August, 1842. For similar
statements for ten years, from 1831 to 1841, we refer our readers to the Merchants’
Magazine for November, 1841, volume v. no. 5, pp. 471 to 478, inclusive.
1.— E xports o f Cotton and Tobacco from New Orleans fo r one year, from the 1$< o f
September, 1841, to the 31s2 o f A ugust, 1842.
Whither Exported.
les o f Cotton.
HhdSr o f Tobacco.
Liverpool,..............................................
393,990
6,930
London,...... . ....................................... .
38
7,212
Glasgow and Greenock,.—.................
15,574
Cowes, Falmouth, & c.........................
10,740
6,827
1,108
Cork, Belfast, & c................................
Havre,..................................................
161,103
4,037
Bordeaux,..............................................
2,247
1,004
Marseilles,...................... .....................
16,992
1,S33
Nantz,.................................................. .
2,930
Cette and Rouen,................................
Amsterdam,..........................................
584
1,138
Rotterdam and Ghent,........................
1,882
2,907
Bremen,....... ........................................
8,997
6,369
Antwerp, & c .......................................
5,209
3,690
Hamburg,............................................
3,401
5,678
Got ten burg,...........................................
946
286
Spain and Gibraltar,............................
78
7,204
W est Indies,........................................
981
12,818
Genoa, Trieste, & c .............................
10,610
550
174
516
Other foreign ports,.............................
New Y ork,................ .........................*
31,215
7,090
Boston,,—...................... .........................
54,062
2,351
„....
Providence, R. I ................................. .
1,910
936
Philadelphia,....... .................................
2,846
Baltimore,..............................................
1,703
208
Portsmouth,...........................................
2,658
Other coastwise ports,.........................
3.716
225
Western States,................... ...............
1,722
T otal ,. ...................................

749,267

68,058

2.— Exports o f Sugar and Molasses from New Orleans, (up the river excepted,) fo r one
year from the 1st September, 1841, to the 31s< o f A ugust, 1842.
SUGAR.

Whither Exported.
Hogsheads.
New Y ork,................................... 13,620
Philadelphia,.................................
4,170
Charleston, S. C....... ...................
614
Savannah,....................................
313Providence and Bristol,...............
Boston,....... ..................................
212
6,504
Baltimore,.....................................
Norfolk ........
364
Richmond and Petersburg, V a...
1,419'
Alexandria, D. C..........................
539
Mobile,................................... .
759*
Apalachicola and Pensacola......
517
Other ports,...................................
303
T otal ,.. __. . .




29,334

MOLASSES.

Barrels.
405
438
2

Hogsheads.
6,377
882
270

...

58
288
56

345
411
826
11
192

102
548
335
2,232:

9,314

Barrels.
23,525
2,169
3,311
886
347
3,208
11,842
1,242
2,843
934
4,190
1,290
1,378
57,165

391

Commercial Statistics.

3.— Exports o f Flour, Pork, Bacon, Lard, Beef, Lead, Whiskey, and Cornr from New
Orleans, from
o f September, 1841, to the 31s£ o f August, 1842.
FLOUR.

Destina. Barrels.
New Yurk,.. 79,471
Boston,......... 74,715
Philadelphia,
446
Baltimore,...
394
Charleston,... 1,150
Oth. Coastw. 17,856
Cuba,............ 23,867
Oth. Foreign 73,596

PORK.

BACON.

Barrels.
72,671
71,254
10,165
9,336
2,700
8,533
237
12,220

Hhds.
4,221
1,657
1,451
1,597
2,462
2,413
302
376

LARD.

BEEF.

LEAD.

Kegs. Barrels. P igs.
132,848
601 226,456
94,870 1,762 115.924
19,099
246
50,937
13,134
10,929
354
4,862
154
4,335
828
74,847
135
97,413 2,181
43,637

WHISKEY

CORN.

Barrels. Sacks.
5,986
90,283
757 154,862
52
4,085
4,364
2,646
2,425
7,408
12,207
64,731
960

27,212

T o t a l ..... 271,495

187,116 14,479 441,408 6,261 447,883 26,751 351,227
In the above, the exports to Mobile, &.C., via the Pontchartrain railroad, are not ineluded. Also, vessels reported in the clearances as having provisions and merchandise.
4.— Comparative ArrivalsTE xports, and Stocks o f Cotton and Tobacco at New Orleans,
fo r ten years; from September ls£ to A ugust 31 st.
COTTON— BALES.

Tear 8.
Arrivals.
1841-42... ....... 740,155
1840-41... ........822,870
1839-40... ........954,445
1838-39... ........578,514
1837-38... ____ 742,720
1836-37... ........605,813
1835-36... ....... 495,442
1834-35... ....... 536,172
1833-34... ....... 467,984
1832-33... ...>..403,833

Exports.
749,267
821,288
949,320
579,179
738,313
588,969
490,495
536,991
461,026
410,524

TOBACCO— HOGSHEADS.

Stocks.
4,428
14,490
17,867
10,308
9,570
20,678
4,586
3,649
4,082
816

Arrivals.
67,555
53,170
43,827
28,153
37,588
28,501
50,555
35,059
25,871
20,627

Exports.
68,058
54.667
40,436
30,852
35,555
35,821
41,634
33,801
25,210
23,637

Stocks.
2,255
2,758
4,409
1,294
3,834
3,857
10,456
1,821
717
1,203

5.— Statement showing the Receipts o f the Principal Articles at New Orleans from the
inter ior, during the year commencing ls< o f September, 1841, and ending 31s< August,
1842, with their estimated average and total value.
Amount. Average.
Value.
Apples,............. .................................................. barrels
26,443
$ 1 75
$46,274
Bacon, assorted,...................... ..........hhds. and casks
13,382
21> 00
267,640
Bacon, assortedr................................................. ..boxes
123
10 00
1,230
Bacon Hams,........................... ......... hhds. and boxes
9,220
25 00
230,500
Bacon, in bulk,................................................ .pounds 1,288,100
2f
22,542
Bagging,................................................................ pieces
60,307
13 00
783,991
Bale R ope,.............................................................. coils
63,307
7 00
443,149
Beans,................................................................barrels
10,993
2 00
21,986
Butter,................................................kegs and firkins
11,791
4 60
47,164
Butter,............... ................................................ .barrels
284
12 00
3,408
Beeswax,..............,............ .................................barrels
343
30 00
10,290
Beeswax,..................................................—.......pounds
3,300
23
699
Beef,......................................................................barrels
17,445
4 75
82,863
Beef, Dried,...................................................... ..pounds
60,800
6
3,648
Buffalo Robes,..............
packs
3,122
50 00
156,100
Cotton,.....................................................................bales
740,155
33 00 24,425,115
6,023
1 25
7,528
Corn Meal,....................................................... ..barrels
Corn, in ear,...................
barrels
240,675
50
120,038
Corn, Shelled,........................................................sacks
338,709
70237,096
Cheese,......................
casks
2,710
14 00
37,940
Candles,..................................................................boxes
3,593
4 00
14,372
Cider,....................................................................barrels
1,130
3 00
3,390
Coal, W estern,................................................... barrels
110,583
50
55,292
Dried Apples and Peaches,.............................. barrels
1,978
2 00
3,956
Feathers................. : ..............................................bags
1,737
6 00
10,422
Flaxseed,.............................................................. tierces
799
12 00
9,588
Flour,............ .................
barrels
439,688
5 00
2,198,440




392

Commercial Statistics.
S tatement , E tc .— Continued.

'

Amount.

F urs,.........................
Furs,..........................
Hemp,........................
H id es,........................
H ay,...........................
Iron, pig,...................
L a rd ,.........................
L ard,..........................
Lard,..........................

1,211
26,169
20,166
322
74
18,207
366,694
940
830
472,556
1,084
592
35,000
63,281
3,338
305
3,666
267
26,201
244,442
946
4,051,800
514
1,888
1,009
3,219

Lime, Western,........
L ead,.........................
Lead, B ar,.................
Lead, W hite,............
Molasses, (estimated crop,).......
Oats,...........................
Onions,.....................
Oil, Linseed,............
Oil, Castor,................
Peach Brandy,..........
Potatoes,....................
Pork,...........................
P o rk ,..........................
Pork, in bulk,...........
Porter and A le,.........
Packing Y arn,..........
R u m ,..........................
Skins, Deer,..............
Skins, Bear,...............
Shot,...........................
3,416
Soap,...........................
1,932
Staves,........................
1,800,000
Sugar, (estimated crop,)............
90,000
Spanish Moss,..........
1,756
T allow ,.......................
5,071
Tobacco, Leaf,..........
54,855
Tobacco, Strips,.......
12,000
Tobacco, Chewing,..,
3,618
T o b a c c o ,...................
3,298
T w ine,........................
.bundles and boxes
1,079
Vinegar,......................
521
W hiskey,....................
63,345
W indow Glass,.........
2,761
W heat,.......................
..barrels and sacks
134,886
Other various articles, estimated at...............................

Average.
........1
15
1
3
22
50
12
2
18
2
12
2
13
2
35
50
18
1
6
20
8
4
9
10
15
3
25
40
7
15
39
125
15
2
10
3
6
4
2

00
25
25
00
00
00
50
00
50
20
00
00
00
60
00
00
00
00
50
00
00
24
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
50
00
00
00
00
50

Value.
!

250,000
18,165
32,461
65,540
7,084
3,700
218,484
916,735
16,920
415
1,039,623
13,008
1,184
450,000
337,969
66,676
10,675
183,300
4,806
39,302
1,422,252
18,920
101,295
4,112
4,552
9,081
32,194
2,500
51,240
5,796
35,000
3,600,000
12,192
76,065
2,136,645
1,500,000
54,270
8,245
10,790
1,563
360,070
11,044
337,215

$45,716,045
6.— Monthly Arrivals o f Ships Barks, Brigs, Schooners, and Steamboa ts, from 1st
September, 1841, to 31 st A ugust, 1842.
Ships.
Barks.
Brigs. Schooners. Total. Steamboats.
15
8
6
46
17
59
September,................
October,.....................
58
9
34
17
118
150
19
34
41
204
N ovem ber,................
110
221
178
72
27
34
45
291
December,.................
January,....................
24
35
56
162
47
265
February,..................
51
131
219
17
25
38
61
March,........................
26
25
28
140
227
53
21
21
121
April,..........................
27
195
134
M ay,...........................
71
21
24
18
183
35
16
84
136
18
15
17
9
17
11
47
105
July,'............................
81
August,......................
10
6
9
13
38
T otal , ...........




599

198

279

327

1,403

2,132

Commercial Statist'cs.

393

COM M ERCE A N D N A V IG A T IO N OF RIO DE JA N E IR O ,
FOR A SERIES OF YEARS.

W e are indebted to the politeness o f Luiz Henrique Ferreira d’ Aguiar, the intelligent
consul-general to the United States from Brazil, for the following statement o f the exports,
imports, navigation, and revenue o f Rio Janeiro, and also the revenues of the whole empire o f Brazil for a series o f years.
Leading Imports.

Total Imports.
From the United States.
1840.
1841.
1840.
1841.
5,497
6,838
2,769
3,857
11,063
16,239
150
160
5,302
4,779
1,336
954
166,535
229,155
157,927
207,583
1,919
2,834
56
180
3,021
2,404
30
9
10,056
11,685
5,086
5,664
371,135 1,370,053
371,137 1,368,551
2S,637
36,130
6,169
8,961
4,059
3,745
43
30
741
1,444
198
141
4,343
5,568
1
10
600
1,277
91
833
1,333
1,530
251
960
30,300
298,440
4,200
104,041
792
749
743
649
5,495
7,456
5,311
7,428
1,184
1,897
672
175
49,619
42,898
3,110
1,618
1,656
2,910
19
180
1,879
2,602
1,374
2,031
244
79
243
78
3,983
8,554
50
250

Candles, T allow ,...................
Cordage,..................................
F lour,......................................
Hams,......................................
Lumber,...................................
Manufactures o f Cotton,........
44
o f Linen,.........
“
o f Silk,............
44
o f W ool,..........
Mess Beef,.............................. .
Mess Pork,...................... .
Oil, Fish,..................................
Pepper,....................................
Rosin,.......................................
Pitch,...................... ................ .
Soap,.......................................
Tar,..........................................
Tea,.........................................
Wheat,.....................................
Leading Exports.
1837.
Coffee,.......................arrobes 3,148,670
Sugar,...........................cases
17,598
Hides,.....*.............................
141,782
Horns,...................................
262,307
Half-tanned Hides,..............
4,306
Rice,...............................bags
25,401
3,645
Rum ,............................ pipes
Tapioca,...................barrels
2,006
Tobacco,........................ rolls
18,115
Rose W ood,...dozen planks
611
Oleo W ood,..................... do.

1838.
3,908,255
19,996
192,710
405,792
8,330
14,737
5,427
523
24,119
506

1839.
4,358,925
17,627
141,492
233,094
12,780
29,112
3,397
473
23,493
1,016

1840.
5,319,005
13,499
194,506
278,441
13,573
19.989
3.407
1.382
28,760
841
152

1841.
5,069,575
10,465
152,548
310,853
22,100
18,788
2,176
3,088
28,078
1,202
183

Navigation.— Commercial arrivals and departures, coastwise and foreign, during the
year 1841, compared with those o f four preceding years :—
Coastwise Arrivals.
Year.
Vess. Tonnage.
1837............... 1820.. .120,832
1838........ ....... 1870.. .136,353
1839........ ....... 1864.. .134,904
1840 .............. 1947.. .135,360
1841........ ....... 1815.. .123,360

Departures.
Vess. Tonnage.
1932. .141,562
1876. ..148,427
2007. ..167,274
1931. .144,153
1929.. .139,501

Foreign Arrivals.
Vess. Tonnage.
700.. .143,909
789.. .169,277
842.. .181,855
842.. .182,352
915.. .206,160

Departures.
Vess. Tonna.
667.. .140,649
851.. .185,808
845.. .203,117
816.. .215,752
867.. .270,651

Revenue.— Revenues o f the customs and consulado o f Rio de Janeiro :—
Year.
Oust. Ho.— reis.
1837... ..4,066 305,251
1838... ..5,155 000,341
1839... ..5,952 233,031

Consula.— reis.
1,247 063,215
1,610 318,527
1,795 344,299

Year.
Oust. Ho.— reis.
1840... ..6,953 670,645
1841... ..7,618 871,180
1842

Consula.— reis.
1,909 684,369
1,837 414,148

Coffee exported from the port o f Rio Janeiro:— 1820, arrobes, 487,500; 1825, arro.,
912,550 ; 1830, arro., 1,958,925; 1835, arro., 3,135,825 ; 1840, arro., 5,319,005.




394

The Book Trade.
Revenues o f the Customs and Consulados o f the Empire o f Brazil.

Year.
Oust. Ho.— reis. Consula.— reis. Year.
Cust. H o.— r e is. Consula.— reis.
1836- 37 8,010 : 317,000 2,757 : 571,000 I 1838-39 9,966 : 259,000 3,505 : 339.000
1837- 38 7,245:203,000 2,871 :160,000 | 1839-40 10,610:087,000 3,461:732,000

THE

BOOK T R A D E ,

1. —A Desa'iptive and Historical Account o f Hydraulic and other Machines fo r Raising
Water, Ancient and Modem ; with Observations on Various Subjects connected with the
Mechanic Arts, including the Progressive Development of the Steam Engine, fcc. &c.
In live b o o k s ; illustrated b y nearly three hundred engravings. By T hom as E w b a n k .
1 vol. 8vo. pp. 582. New Y ork: D. Appleton & Co. 1842.
This is, we believe, the only volume ever published, embracing an account of all the
contrivances employed in different ages by different people for raising water, whether for
domestic, agricultural, mining, manufacturing, or other purposes. Mr. Ewbank, the au­
thor, has devoted several years to the collection o f works and materials; and in the pre­
paration o f thi6 volume has evinced a remarkable degree o f industry, and the most patient
and untiring research. “ Every individual device has o f course not been described, but
every class or species is noticed, with such examples o f each as will enable the general
reader to comprehend the principle and action o f all.” The first book is devoted to prim­
itive and ancient devices for raising water; the second to machines for raising water by the
pressure o f the atmosphere ; the third to machines for raising water by com pressure, inde­
pendently of atmospheric influence; the fourth to machines, chiefly of modern invention,
including early applications o f steam for that purpose ; the fifth and last book embraces a
variety o f novel devices, with an account o f syphons, cocks, valves, &c. It is really one
o f the most remarkable publications connected with mechanical philosophy that has ever
fallen under our observation, and cannot fail o f interesting the ingenious mechanic or the
miscellaneous reader who possesses a large and liberal curiosity for mechanical science or
general information. The engravings, the letter-press, and indeed the work in its entire
mechanical appearance, will not suffer by comparison with the handsomest works o f this
class emanating from the British press.
•
2. -Johnsoniana ; or, Supplement to Boswell: being Anecdotes and Sayings of S a m u e l
J ohnson , L.L.D. Edited by J. W ilson C hoker . 12mo. pp. 529 Philadelphia: Carey
& Hart. 1842.
This is a very interesting collection of the sayings and doings o f that giant o f English
literature, Dr. Samuel Johnson. The volume contains a great number of anecdotes, gath­
ered from the writings o f nearly one hundred o f his contemporaries, embracing many of
the most distinguished literary characters o f the age in which he lived; which, together
with Boswell’s singularly minute biography, completes as it were the intellectual and moral
portrait o f Johnson. Taken by themselves alone, these “ ana” claim a place with the best
books o f that popular description in our own or any other language. They form one of the
richest collections o f materials for thinking to be found in the wide range of British litera­
ture. The present edition, the first American, is embellished with several portraits, among
which is a full-length o f the “ great observed o f all observers.” It is, in our judgment, one
o f the most amusing and agreeable works reproduced in this country for a long time.
3. —Models o f English Literature ; for the Use o f Colleges and Academies.
John Murphy. 1842.

Baltimore:

The selections in prose and verse, narrative, descriptive, oratorical, moral and didactic,
& c., embraced in this volume, are generally made in good taste; and the writer professes
to have
’
'
’
‘ ‘ vhich would tend to destroy the harmony that
should
This is true, in the main ; there is, however,
in one c
,
actrine, that one denomination of Christians, at
least, do not consider either reasonable or scriptural. On the whole, however, we consider
it one of .the best compilations of English literature, for the purpose proposed in the titlepage, extant.




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4. —A History o f the Life o f Edward the Black Prince, and o f Various Events connected
therewith, which occurred during the reign o f Edward III. King o f England. By G. P. R .
J am es . From the second edition, complete in two volumes. Philadelphia: Carey &
Hart. 1842.
Not only is the trite saying that “ truth is stranger than fiction” true, but it is equally true
that it is frequently much more interesting than fiction, and excites more forcibly the
imagination and the heart. It is especially so in reference to the book before us, in which
Mr. James, while handling a subject purely historical, has succeeded in making a work
possessing as much interest for the general reader as any o f his much-admired novels. It
is true that the author had great advantages in the subject and time he has chosen. The
time embraces the culmination o f chivalry—when the spirit was most brilliant and most
refined—when, as if conscious o f its coming decline, it flashed up with renewed ardor, and
showered a blaze o f glory around the system which should illuminate it after its decay. A
subject could not o f course be found more interesting in the long range of history. The
Black Prince was the impersonation o f all knightly qualities and accomplishments, and one
of the best representatives that ever lived of that institution with which is associated all our
ideas o f the romance o f the past. As might be expected, the character of the youthful
hero of Cressy and Poictiers suffers none in the hands o f Mr. James.
5. — The History o f the Reformation o f the Church o f England. By G il b e r t B u r n e t , D.D.,
late Lord Bishop o f Salisbury. W ith the Collection o f Records, and a Copious Index,
revised and corrected, with Additional Notes and a Preface, by the Rev. E. N a r e s , D.D.,
late Professor o f Modern History in the University o f Oxford. With a frontispiece, and
twenty-three engraved portraits. 4 vols. 8vo. New Y ork: D. Appleton & Co.
The character o f Bishop Burnet’s History o f the Reformation as a standard work and
valuable historical authority, is so well known that it would be a work of supererogation on
our part to attempt to add any testimonial to its intrinsic and undisputed excellence. But,
in justice to the publishers, we must say that it is got up in a manner so creditable to the
typography o f the American press, that the most prejudiced advocate o f English editions
of standard literature would be induced to give it the preference to any other copy of the
work (so far as we know) extant. The corrections o f Dr. Nares, whose distinct preface
points out and explains to readers in general the particular character o f the publication,
renders it the most accurate, as it is the most beautiful edition ever published.
G.— lh e Book o f the Navy ; comprising a General History o f the American Marine : of all
thj most celebrated Naval Battles, from the Declaration of Independence to the Present
Time. Compiled from the best authorities. By J ohn F r ost , A.M. Embellished with
numerous engravings, from original drawings, b y W il l ia m C room e , etc. 8vo. pp. 344
New York : D. Appleton & Co. 1842.
Mr. Frost has in this handsomely printed and beautifully illustrated volume brought toge­
ther, in an agreeable manner, a sketch o f the early history o f our navy, the naval cam­
paigns during the war o f the American revolution, the French war. o f 1798, and the last war
with England, which contributed so much to the fame and glory of our eountry. In re­
counting the events o f that war, Mr. Frost has avoided a one-sided self-glorifying’ view of
the achievements o f our navy and the brave spirits who commanded ; and while justice is
done to the valor and patriotism o f the naval heroes o f the Republic, the claims of the
“ enemy in war” to like qualities are not depreciated.
1 .—Introduction to the Science o f Government; and Compend o f the Constitutional and Civil
Jurisprudence o f the United States : with a Brief Treatise on Political Economy. By
A n d r ew W . Y oung . Rochester: William Ailing. 1842.
This work has reached the eighth edition since 1839. It is designed for the use of fami­
lies and schools. Briefly and clearly elucidating the principles o f government, and explain­
ing the nature and character o f that o f the United States, and our civil jurisprudence, it
commends itself to a kingdom whose people are the sovereigns who make the laws which
are to govern them. The treatise on political economy is intended father to teach the
elementary principles than to settle questions on which the most'eninreht statesmen and
economists are divided. Hence the arguments for the protective and the free-trade princi­
ples are stated with fairness and candor; without an attempt to decide on the correctness
of either policy.




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8.— The History o f Fiction.

& Hart.

By J ohn D unlop. 2 vols. pp. 452, 453.

Philadelphia : Carey

1842.

W e should never allow ourselves, as Americans, to cherish the least ill feeling towards
the publishers o f this country for occasionally transplanting a flower from the ever-blooming
garden o f literature into our soil. Messrs. Carey 6c Hart much rather deserve our unlimited
praise for the spirit they manifest in laying English works o f merit open before the Ameri­
can public. The work before us evinces an immensity of research, as well as indefatigable
care and attention. As far as we can possibly judge, with our limited knowledge, we
should say that it is complete. The author enumerates in as easy and familiar a style as
such a subject well admits of, all the works o f fiction from the beginning up to the present
time, that have outlived their birth. Of the most interesting, and of such as have had a
decided influence upon the writings o f later times, he gives faithful analyses, most of which
contain all that is really worth remembering o f the whole works, besides being so put to­
gether as to be very interesting. Special care is bestowed upon those works which serve
to illustrate particular historical periods. The value o f the work to belles-lettres men is in­
estimable ; and we think it will not be long before every library that pretends to any com­
pleteness in that kind o f works will be enriched by a copy.
9 —Elements o f Chemistry, including the most recent Discoveries and Applications o f the
Science to Medicine and Pharmacy, and to the Arts. By R obert K a n e , M.D., M .R .I.A .,
Professor o f Natural Philosophy to the Royal Dublin Society, Professor of Chemistry to
the Apothecaries’ Hall o f Ireland, Member of the Society o f Pharmacy o f Paris, and of
the German Pharmaceutical Society, 6cc. 6cc. &c. An American edition, with Addi­
tions and Corrections; and Arranged for the use o f the Universities, Colleges, Acade­
mies, and Medical Schools o f the. United States, by J ohn W il l ia m D r a p e r , M.D., Pro­
fessor o f Chemistry in the University o f New York, formerly Professor of Physical Science
and Physiology in Hampden Sidney College, Virginia, Member of the Lyceum of Natu­
ral History o f New York, & c. & c. & c. 8vo. pp. 704. New York : Harper 6c Brothers.
One o f the most important, and at the same time difficult, things in writing an elementary
work, is to make it interesting to the young student. Such works are, for the most part,
proverbially dry and tedious to beginners. I f we have judged rightly, Dr. Kane’s very able
text book 'will not be found liable to this objection, but, on the contrary, full of interest;
and this arises from his having so completely prepared the mind o f the student for the de­
tails o f the science by his introductory chapters, and the clear and forcible manner in which
those details are afterwards presented. The greatest accuracy in such a work i#extremely
important, and this is insured by Professor Draper’s revision. He has also made some
valuable additions o f his own.
10 — The Boston Miscellany o f Literature and Fashion. Edited by N a th an H a l e , Jr. Vol. 1,
January to July, 1842. 8vo. pp. 284. Boston and New York : Bradbury, Soden & Co.
This is certainly the most beautifully printed serial o f the day, and among the various
journals devoted to light and fashionable literature, we are not acquainted with one that
can with any show o f justice lay claim to precedence on the score of literary composition.
The present volume contains original contributions from our Minister at the Court of St.
James, Edward Everett, and his brother, Alexander Everett, Channing, Story, Hawthorn,
Willis, and other eminent writers. The engravings (to say nothing o f the fashion plates,
the only item o f bad taste in the work,) are on the whole the best we have seen connected
with American periodical literature.
11.—Breakfast Table Science ; or the Philosophy o f Common Things. Written expressly
for the amusement and instruction o f young people. By J. II. W r ig h t . New York:
Alexander V. Blake. 1842.
This little volume contains a variety o f familiar dialogues, explaining in an agreeable and
attractive manner, the philosophy o f common every-day things; and there is little reason
to apprehend that a child who opens this book, and runs his eye over the quaint and inge­
nious table o f contents, will lay it aside before he is sufficiently interested to make him
keep the book antffread it through. It is admirably adapted to aid in that most important
o f all instruction—home education—and render it pleasant and delightful.
|ZT A number o f notices o f new books are crowded out, but will appear in our next.