University of California Berkeley 
 
I 
 
 
COMMERCE 
 
 OP 
 
 AMERICA WITH EUROPE-, 
 
 PARTICULARLY WITH 
 
 FRANCE AND GREAT-BRITAIN; 
 COMPARATIVELY STATED AND EXPLAINED, 
 
 SHIWIKG 
 
 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 
 
 TO THE INTERESTS OF FRANCE, 
 AND POINTING OUT THE ACTUAL SITUATION 
 
 OF THS. 
 
 UNITED STATES OF NORTH-AMCA, 
 
 IN REGARD TO 
 
 Trade, Manufactures and Population 
 
 1ERIC. 
 
 By J. P. BRISSOT DE WA*Y ; ILLE, 
 
 AND 
 
 ETIENNE CLAVIERE, 
 
 Tranflated from the laft French Edition, 
 
 Jlevifed by BRISSOT, and called the SE CON D VOLUME of his 
 View of America. 
 
 Y7ith the Life of BRISSOT, and an Appendix, 
 By the Tranjlator. 
 
 ^Printed and fold by T. and J. SWORDS, No. 99 Pearl-ftreet, 
 1795. 
 
A 
 
 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 J. P. B R I S S O T- 
 
 By the Editor. 
 
 was born nt the village of Ouarville, near 
 Ohatres, in Oreannois, on the i4th of January, 
 1754. His father was what the French called a 
 Traiteur ; that is, keeper of an eating houfe or an or 
 dinary. He was intended for the profeffion of the 
 law, and was articled to an attorney for that pur- 
 pofe. But he grew difgufled with the chicane and 
 turpitude he was daily obliged to witnefs, and there 
 fore, after the five years of the articlefhip were ex 
 pired, he left Chatres and went to Paris. 
 
 An accident one night at the theatre at Paris plac 
 ed him in the company of an Englifh gentleman. 
 They became intimate, and from this gentleman he 
 obtained fome knowledge of the Englifh language ; 
 which he afterwards improved by a refidence in 
 London. 
 
 He had received n regular clallical education, and 
 acquired, by ftrift application^ tolerable knowledge 
 of the German, Italian, and Spanifh languages, fuf- 
 ficient to confult the authors who have written in 
 thofe languages. On his arrival at Paris, his firft 
 a 2 fhidy 
 
IV SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 Itudy was jurifprudence, with an intention of fee- 
 coming an advocate in parliament. No fcience 
 however efcaped his attention. He attended lec 
 tures and experiments in every branch of fcience; 
 wherein his active genius found ample exercMe. 
 Chymiftry was his favourite object of purfuit; but 
 his circumftances were too limited to indulge much 
 in it. The fmall patrimony which he inherited from 
 liis father did not exceed forty pounds per annum. 
 
 In the year 1777 he made his firfltourto London. 
 During his ftay in London he became engaged in 
 the conduct of a French newfpaper, at that time 
 called the Courier deVEurcpe, but fince the Courier de 
 Lcr.clres. Some mifunderftanding having happened 
 concerning the ftamps (at the ftamp-office in Lon 
 don) for this paper, the proprietor took a refolntion 
 of printing it at Boulogne fur- mei*; and Briflbt was 
 appointed the Editor, and rcfided at Boulogne for 
 that purpofe. He continued in this capacity at Bou 
 logne about two years. From thence he went to 
 Paris, and \vasadmitted Counfellor in Parliament. 
 Early in the year 1782 he went to Neufchatel to fu- 
 perintend the printing of one of his books (mentioned 
 hereafter). This was the memorable period of the 
 revolution at Geneva. Here he became acquainted 
 with M, Clavicre and M. dn Rovray, who, with a 
 ere expelled that city, and fought 
 nd. 
 
 rumn of tL'-j: year, he mrrried a daughter 
 
 ci Boulogne. This young lady 
 
 : f) the celebrated Madam: 
 
 de 4 fituation for her in \\\t 
 
 of 'lie Duke de Chprires, late Duke of Or- 
 
 :, v.'i.o fuffered under the guillotine; in which 
 
 ilic continued foroe time after her marriage. 
 
 "f the year 1783, he vifited 
 
 ion a fecond time. His view in this journey 
 
 r n in London, a Lyceum, or Academy 
 
 of 
 
 -4- 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. V 
 
 of Arts and Sciences, together with an office of ge 
 neral correspondence. In this undertaking he was 
 encouraged by fome of the firft literary men in 
 France; and a Monfieur du Forge, mufician at Pa 
 ris, was fo captivated with the Icheme, that he ad 
 vanced four thoufand livres, (i661.) for one third 
 fhare of the profits. Briflbt was to have the fole ma 
 nagement, and the other two thirds of the profits. 
 He took a houfe in Newman-ftreet, Oxford-ftreet ; 
 and publifhed a profpectus of his undertaking. He 
 fent for his wife and his youngeft brother (his elded 
 brother was a prieft.) At this time he commenced 
 his defcription of the fciences in England (mentioned 
 hereafter) to be publiflied monthly, Having in one 
 of his publications taken occafion to vindicate the 
 Chevalier Launay, editor of the Courier dtt Nerd, 
 printed at Maeftricht, the editor of the Courier as 
 rEurope, now M. du Morande, was fo highly of 
 fended by it, that'-he became from that time Briflbt's 
 moft determined enemy. It is to be obferved, that 
 the Courier du Nord, and the Courier de 1'Europe, 
 were rival newfpapers. De Launay quitted Maff- 
 tricht, and went to Paris, where he was immediately 
 put into the Baftile, and was never more heard of. 
 
 In the month of May, 1784, Briflbt \vas arrefted 
 by his printer in London. Although he was at this 
 time very well known to feveral perlons of rank and 
 fortune, yet he was too delicate to apply to any of 
 them for pecuniary afliflance. But after remaining 
 a day or two in a lock-up houfe in Gray's Inn Lane, 
 he fent his brother to an intimate friend, who in- 
 flantly paid the printer his bill, and liberated him. 
 
 The next morning Briflbt fet out for France, 
 leaving his wife and brother in England, a flu ring 
 them he would quickly return, which he certainly 
 intended. But in this he was feverely difappointed. 
 Thus ended his literary enterprife of eflablifhing a 
 JLyceum .in London, in which he embarked his 
 a 3 whole 
 
VI SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 whole property with a degree of infatuation and zeal 
 that feemed to border upon infanity. During his 
 refidence in London he became acquainted with one 
 Count de Pelleport, author of feveral pamphlets 
 againft the principal perfons of the French Court, 
 particularly of one called Soirees d' Antoinette, for the 
 apprehenfion of the author of which the French 
 court offered a thoufand pounds (1000 Louis) re 
 ward. Briflbt, inftead of proceeding directly to Pa 
 ris, flopped at Boulogne, and refided there with his 
 mother-in-law : here he refolved to continue his 
 publication on the original plan. Du M know 
 ing that Pelleport was the author of the offenfive 
 pamphlet, and that Bri (Tot and Pelleport were inti 
 mate, refolved to obtain the reward, and gratify his 
 refrntment. He applied to Pelleport, offering him 
 the fuperintendance of a publication to be carried on 
 at Bruges, (near Oftend,) the falary of which was 
 to be two hundred pounds per annum. Pelleport 
 accepted the offer. But it was necelTary to flop at 
 Boulogne, where feme final arrangements were to be 
 made. In the month of July, Pelleport embarked for 
 Boulogne with Captain Meredith. But the moment 
 be landed, he was feized by the officers of the Police, 
 who put him in chains and carried him to Paris, 
 
 where he was fent to the Baftile. Du M was an 
 
 agent of the Police of Paris. Information being 
 given to the Police, that Briflbt was at Boulogne, 
 ;.ud that he was the intimate friend of Pelleport, he 
 immediately taken into cuflody, carried to Pa- 
 and committed to the Baftile. However, it is 
 certain that Briflbt never wrote any thing againft ei 
 ther the King or Queen of France. He was fincere 
 in his abhorrence of the arbitrary and defpotic prin 
 ciples of the French government, but with refpcct 
 to the private conduct of the King and Queen, he ne 
 ver beftowed thefmalleft attention upon it. In this 
 human vi&ims, he continued about fix 
 
 weeks. 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. V^i 
 
 weeks, His wife applied to Madame Genlis in his 
 favour, and Madame Genlis moft generoufly made 
 a point of it with the Duke de Chartres to obtain his 
 liberty. The Duke de Chartres's interference does 
 not appear by any document; but Briflbt's acquitta] 
 of the charge brought againfl him appears in the 
 following report of his examination, made to the- 
 French minifter, M. Breteuil, on the ^th of September, 
 
 " The Sieur BritTot de Warvilie was conveyed tcr- 
 " the Baftile on the day after the Sieu rde Pelleport,. 
 "who was arrefted at Boulogne fur-mer, arrived at 
 " Paris. In confequence of his connections with 
 *' this man, guilty of writing libels, he was fufpetfted 
 " of having been his coadjutor. Theatteftation of 
 c< a boy iu tlie printing-office, from whence one of 
 " thefe libe 1 ^ nTued, gave ilrength to fufpicions; "but 
 " this attefration, tranfmitted from London, is def- 
 " titute of authenticity; and the Sieur Erinbr c ! . 
 *' Warvilie, who has very latisfadlorlly anfwered to 
 i; the interrogatories which were put to hirn^ attri- 
 *' butes his crimination to the animofity of enemies 
 4i whom he conceives to have plotted againfl him iix 
 " London. The Sieur Briflbt de Warvilie is a man 
 <c of talents, and of letters; -he appears to have form- 
 " ed fy items and to entertain extraordinary princi- 
 " pies; but it is certain that, for the lafl feven or 
 " eight months, his connections with the Sieur de 
 " Pelleport had ceafed, and that he employed him- 
 " felf folely upon a periodical paper, which he ob- 
 ** tained permiffion to circulate and fell in France, 
 " after having fubmitted it to the examination of a 
 " licenfer." 
 
 It is proper to obferve, that the addition of de 
 IFarville, which BrifTot made to his name, (to dif- 
 tinguifli himfelf from his elder brother) is a kind of 
 local defignation, not uncommon in many countries* 
 William of Malmlbury, Georfry of Monmouth, Ra 
 pinde Thoyras, Joau d'Arc, &c. &c. But in ths 
 
 ortko- 
 
Viii SKETCH OF TH2 LIFE 
 
 orthography he fubftituted the Englifli W for the 
 French dipthong pu; the found of that dipthong 
 being fimiiar to our W. Thus Ouarville is pro 
 nounced JFarville in both languages. 
 
 In a very fhort time after his releafe from theBaf- 
 tile, he very honourably difcharged .his pecuniary- 
 obligation to his friend in London. 
 
 In the year 1787, which was the era of the foun 
 dation of the French revolution, the Duke de Ohar- 
 tres. now become Duke of Orleans by the death of 
 his father, embraced the party of the parliament 
 iigainft the Court. Upon the principle of gratitude 
 BriiTot attached himfelf to the Duke of Orleans. As 
 an honeft man he could not do otherwife. 
 
 We fhall here pafs by his tour to America, and 
 fome other circumftances, becaufe they are intimate* 
 ]y connected with the account of his writings, which 
 is fubjoined. 
 
 Upon his return to France he found that his cele 
 brity had not been diminifhed by his abfence. He 
 was elected a member of the Conftituent Affembly, 
 and was much engaged in the committees of refearch, 
 of which he was the reporter. He was alfo elected 
 a member of the Legiflative Aflembly for the depart 
 ment of Paris, . It muft be obferved, that the revo 
 lution caft a veil over the crimes of all thofe who 
 had been obliged to leave their country. In this 
 
 group who returned to France was Du M . He 
 
 oppofed Briflbt in his eleftion for Paris, but Briflbt 
 was elected by a majority of more than three to one3 
 However, Du M 's party were exceffively morti 
 fied; and they unceafmgly calumniated Briflbt in the 
 moft opprobrious terms M. Petion, mayor of Paris, 
 and who was BrifTot's friend and townfman, contri 
 buted much to ftr.-njthen his intereft and afccn- 
 dency. 
 
 Briflbt now diftinguifned himfelf as one of the 
 Amis ties Ncirs (friend of the Negroes) of whom he 
 
 \vas 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. IK. 
 
 was a moft zealous advocate. In a fpeech which he 
 delivered in the Aflembly in the year 1791, there is 
 a (Irong trait of philanthropy. 
 
 Of this fpeech the following is a fnort extra6U 
 " You have heard of enormities that freeze you with 
 horror; but Phalaris fpoke not of his brazen bull,. 
 he lamented only the dagger that his own cruelty 
 had raifed againit him. The colonifls have related 
 inftancesof ferocity; but give me, faid he, an in 
 formed brute } and I will foon make a ferocious mon- 
 fter of him. It was a white man who fid! threw a 
 negro into a burning oven ; who dafhed out the 
 brains of a child in the prefence of its father; who 
 fed a {lave with its own proper flefh. Thefe are the 
 monfters that have to account for the barbarity of 
 the revolted favages. Millions of Africans have pe- 
 riftied on this foil of blood. You break, at every ftep, 
 the bones of the inhabitants, that nature has given 
 to thefe iflands : and you ihudder at the relation of 
 their vengeance. In this dreadful ftruggle the crimes 
 of the whites are yet the moft horrible. They are 
 the offspring of defpotifm : whilft thofe of the blacks 
 originate in the hatred of flavery, and 4he thirft of 
 revenge. Is philofophy chargeable with thefe hor 
 rors? Does fhe require the blood of the colonifls ? 
 Brethren, file cries, be juft, be beneficent, and you 
 will profper. Eternal flavery muft be an eternal 
 (bui-ce of crimes; diveft it at lead of the epithet 
 ritrnal ; foranguifli that knows no limitation of pe 
 riod can only produce defpair." 
 
 Upon the, abolition of the French monarchy, in 
 the month of September 1792, the Legiflative Af- 
 fembly diflblved itfelf. The conftitution being dif- 
 folved by the abolition of the King, they conceived 
 that it was the inherent right of the people to chooie 
 a new reprefentation, in order to frame a new confti- 
 tution, fuited to the wifhes of the people, and to the 
 neceflity of the exifting circumftances of the times. 
 
X. SKETCH OF THI LIFE 
 
 In this general election BrifTot was elected one of the 
 deputies from the department of Eure and Loire, 
 His abilities and talents became every day more con- 
 fpicuou^v He was chofen the Reporter of the Com 
 mittee of Public Safety; in which fituation he con- 
 dueled himfelf v/ithout reproach, until the treache 
 rous conduct of Dumourier threw a fufpicion on 
 the. whole of the Gironde party. 
 
 Although afTailed on all fides by his enemies, his 
 character afperfed and depreciated by the bafeft of 
 calumnies, Briffot (hewed himfelf confident with his 
 public principles of philanthropy. 
 
 In the dreadful maiTacre of the 3d of September, 
 
 his opponents, particularly Du M > fought every 
 
 opportunity to accomplifh his deftruclion, by ac- 
 cufing him of being a principal infligator of thofc 
 horrors. And it muft be owned, that thefe repeated 
 and continual calumnies weakened him in the pub 
 lic efteem. Da 'M was perfectly acquainted 
 
 with the Englifh method of writing a man down. 
 
 When Condorcet moved for the abolition of roy 
 alty, BrifTot was filent, 
 
 When the motion was made to pafs fentence of 
 death on the King, .Briffot fpoke and voted for the 
 sppeal to the primary gflemblies. 
 
 When Fayette was cenfured, Briffot defended him. 1 
 
 When the Duke of Orleans (M. de Egaliie) was 
 cenfured. Briffbt defended him. 
 
 The two firft feem to have arifen in principles of 
 bumaii:t; r . 
 
 The t\vohft,unque{iionablv,arofe in the iirongeft 
 ties of gratitude and friendihip. 
 
 A confcientious man cannot fufFer a more fevere 
 affliction, than when his private honour places him, 
 againft his public duty,. 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. XI 
 
 *Qf Sri/fit's Writings ; and particularly of this Work, 
 
 Upon the fettlement of the American government 
 after the war, he became an enthufiaftic admirer of 
 the new conftitution of that great country. But 
 fome French perfons, who had been in America, and 
 were returned to France, had publifhedtheir*houghts 
 and opinions of America, in a manner that was no 
 thing fhort of illiberally. The reader will .find the 
 principal names of thefe writers in the thirty-fecond 
 chapter of the firft volume. Briffot was fired with 
 indignation at this treatment of a people, whom he 
 conceived could not in any wife have deferved fucb 
 reproach ; and, imagining that the general peace in 
 1783, had opened an honourable and free commu 
 nication of reciprocal commercial advantages be 
 tween America and France, he wrote this volume with 
 the view of fupportingand eftabliming that primary 
 idea, or theory of a French commerce with the Unit 
 ed States. 
 
 Upon this point it is no more than ordinary can 
 dour to obferve, that all which BrifTot recommends, 
 explains, or relates, concerning a French commerce 
 with the United States, applies equally, and in fome 
 points more than equally, to the Britifh commerce 
 with them. Every Britifli merchant and trader may 
 derive fome advantage from a general view of the 
 principles which he has laid down for the eftablifh- 
 ment and regulation of a reciprocal commerce be 
 tween France and America. The produce and ma 
 nufactures of England are infinitely better Anted to 
 the wants of America; arid therefore all his theory, 
 which is dire&ed to the welfare and improvement of 
 France, mud ftrongly attach the attention of the 
 Britifli merchant and mechanic; who, in this great 
 point, have not at prefent any fuperiors, but have 
 .fcveral rivals. Briflbt's ambition was to make France 
 
 the 
 
fcil SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 the greateft and mod powerful rival. And every 
 candid perfon muft allow that he deferred much cre 
 dit of his countrymen for the progrefs he made, in 
 this firft attempt, to open the eyes of the French 
 nation to proipedts of new fources of' advantage. All 
 that is farther neceflary to fay of this work, is faid by 
 Briflbt himfeif in the introduction, from the tenth 
 to the twentieth pages. In the laft French edition 
 of BrifTot's Travels in America, publiihed by him 
 feif, about feven or eight months before his decapi 
 tation, this volume is placed the laft of that work. 
 We have followed the Author's arrangement, and 
 collated the whole by the laft Paris edition. 
 
 Of the preoeding'volume, entitled, " New Tra- 
 rels in the United States of America," we have no 
 thing to add: the whole of the French edition is now 
 before the reader. 
 
 Of Briffot's other works it is proper to mention 
 the following. 
 
 The Tkecry of Criminal Laws, in two volumes Al 
 though M. la Cretelle, at the conclufion of his Eflay 
 on the Prejudices attached to Infamy, fpeaks in flat 
 tering terms of this work; for he fays, that it exhi 
 bits an extenfible knowledge, and fjiews the writer's 
 ambition afcends to great principles ; yet to thofe 
 perfons who have read Becaria's Efiay on Crimes and 
 Punifhments, it will not appear that Briflbr has added 
 much novelty to the fubjeci. 
 
 The Neceft/y of a Reform of the Criminal Laws. 
 
 What Reparation is due to innocent Perfons unjuftly 
 accufed. 
 
 Thefe were two difcourfes which were crowned 
 by the Academy of Chalons fur Marne, and were 
 printed in the form of two pamphlets. The minif- 
 ters of Louis XVI. were a good deal offended at the 
 principles they contained, and they forbid the Aca 
 demy propofing the difm fling of fimilar fubjecls at 
 of their future meetings. 
 
 This 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. xili 
 
 This check ferved but as a ftimulus to BriiTot to 
 -continue his fubjecl:. He therefore, in two years 
 afterwards, publimes his Phikfophical Library of the 
 Criminal Laws. This work is now ten volumes. Brif- 
 fot's view in this work was, to diffufe and explain 
 thofe grand principles of freedom which produced 
 the revolution in England in the year 1688, and the 
 revolution in America in the year 1775. Before the 
 diflblution of the monarchy in France, thofe princi 
 ples were almoft unknown to the French, and arc 
 iTill .almoft unknown to the other parts of Europe. 
 But as feveral of the monarchs of 'Europe approved 
 of the American revolution, it may be prefumed 
 tbat their fubjecls will not long continue ignorant of 
 the motives and grounds of a meafure which was 
 honoured with the patronage of their fovereigns. 
 This circurrftance alone mould convince the Eng- 
 lffli,that many of the powers of Europe behold with 
 pleafure the diminution of their greatnefs and con- 
 iequence, and that very few of thofe powers are ever 
 friendly to them, except during the time they are 
 receiving a bribe, by virtue of an inftrument, com 
 monly called afubjidiary treaty. 
 
 Of Dr. Price of London he was an admirer; but 
 of Dr. Prieftley he was alfo an imitator, for he amufed 
 himfelf frequently with chymiftry, phyfic?, anato 
 my, and religion. On the laft fiibjecl there is a pre- 
 iumption that he wrote but little; for in his Letter / 
 theArchbtJhopofSens-}j.\\z only traift on religion, by him, 
 that has come to the Editor's knowledge) he fays, 
 " That religious tyranny had been proftrated by the 
 " blows of Voltaire, RoufTeau, D'AIembert, and 
 " D'Iderot." His mind was capacious, and his com- 
 prehenfion extenfive. In his zeal to become an imi 
 tator of Prieftley, he published a volume Concerning 
 Truth, or Thoughts on the Means of attaining Truth, m 
 all the branches of Human Knowledge. Here was a wide 
 field for the difplay of BriObt's talents and induftry. 
 b His 
 
XIV SKETCH OF THE L1FK 
 
 His defign was to have carried on the work to fcve- 
 ral volumes, and to have invited the communica 
 tions of the literati of all Europe, in all the different 
 fciencei, and, it may be iAfa&, /peculations. But there 
 was firch a freedom of fentimcnt manifefted in the 
 firfl volume, that both the author and printer were 
 alarmed with the terrors of the Baftile. Filled with 
 thefe apprehenfions, he left Paris, and went to Neuf- 
 chatel. There he printed his profpe6lus, and he 
 caufed it to be alfo printed in London. But when 
 thefe copies were attempted to be circulated in 
 France, they were feized. Not a fingle number 
 was permitted to be feen in any bookfeller's fliop in 
 France. 
 
 Finding the execution of his project thus rendered 
 impracticable, he left Neufchatel, and went to Lon 
 don; where, in order to give currency to his free 
 opinions, he altered the title of his book. He pro- 
 pofed topublifh the remaining part periodically, un 
 der the name of A Defcription of the Sciences and Arts 
 in England; great part of which was intended to be 
 devoted to an examination of, and to obfervations 
 on, the Englifh conflitution. His friends folicited 
 the French miniftry to permit this work to be re 
 printed at Paris. At firft they obtained this favour ; 
 and the work went on as far as twelve numbers, or 
 two volumes; after which it was prohibited, not 
 more to the author's mortification than to the injury 
 of his pocket. M. de Vergennes, who was at that 
 time miniiter of France, had fo ftrong a diilike to 
 every thing that was Englifh, that he would not en.- 
 dure the fmalleft commendation upon any part of 
 the Englifli conftitution, or commerce, to be pro 
 mulgated in France. He had begun to difcover, 
 that the favourite idea of his matter, of feparating 
 the Britifh colonies from the Britim empire, might 
 lead to an inveftigationof the principles of govern 
 ment 
 
CJ J. P. B2.I53GT. Xr 
 
 e, and prove extrerr . to a 
 
 % 
 
 Ever 
 
 . 
 
 - 
 
 : 
 
 I 
 feve. 
 
 ., 
 
 . 
 
 :of 
 
XVI SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 the French monarchy there were more intrigues al 
 ways going on in the French court than in any court 
 in Europe. At this time (the year 1787) the court 
 was full of intrigues libidinous as well as political; 
 for though the King had no miftreffes, the Queea 
 had her favourites and her party. Neckar was di 
 miffed, and Calonne was appointed by her influence. 
 Montmorin fucceeded Vergennes, and the Duke of 
 Orleans was at the head of the party that fought the 
 overthrow of the new miniftry. When Calonne 
 aflembled the Notables at Verfailles, Briflot publifh* 
 cd a pamphlet entitled No Bankruptcy ; or Letters to a 
 Creditor of the State concerning the ImpoJJlb'dity of a Na 
 tional Bankruptcy, and the Means of reftonng Credit and 
 Peace. This pamphlet, which contained many fe- 
 vere obfervations on Calonne's meafures and plans, 
 and fome arguments infupport of certain privileges 
 claimed by the people, the Duke of Orleans was 
 highly pleafed with. He made inquiry after the 
 author, for the tract was anonymous, and having 
 difcovered him, he ordered his chancellor to provide 
 a (Ituation for him. He was made fecre<ary- general 
 of the Duke's chancery. This did not fave him 
 from minifterial refentment. A letter de cachet was 
 tnrufe out a gain ft him; but having notice of it, lie 
 infhntly eicaped to the Netherlands. He was for 
 feveral months editor of the Courie r Bel% ique, printed 
 at Mechlin. It was during this voluntary exile that 
 he formed his project of vifiting America. He com 
 municated his defign to the Philanthropic Society of 
 the Friends of the Negroes at Paris, and was b^r 
 them affiRed and recommended to feveral perfons in 
 America. The produce of this vifit to America 
 was the firft volume of this work, written upon his 
 return to France. The French miniftry being 
 changed before he left Europe, he embarked at Havre 
 de Grace in the month of June, 1788. 
 
 Intelligence having reached him in America of 
 
 the 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. 
 
 the rapid progrefs liberty was making in France, he 
 returned to his native country in 1789, in a confi 
 dence that his labours might become ufeful to the 
 general intereft. 
 
 His firft publication after his return (except the 
 preceding volume of his travels in America) was, A 
 Plan, of Cmduftfor the Deputies of the People. . 
 
 His knowledge and admiration of America natu 
 rally produced a friendihip with the Marquis de la 
 Fayette, who introduced him into the club of the 
 Jacobins. 
 
 We fhall pafs by the feveral fteps and meafures 
 of the revolution; for to give an account of all Brif- 
 fot's concern therein, would be to write a large vo 
 lume upon that event only, But the mention of a 
 few circumftances which are attached to Brifibt pe 
 culiarly, is indifpenfible. 
 
 By the.intereft, or rather influence, of Fayette, he 
 was made a member of the Commune of Paris. He 
 was agent of the Police, and a member of the Com 
 mittee of Inflection at Paris; and afterwards a re- 
 prefentative for the department of Eure and Loire. 
 
 He commenced a new (paper, which he called 
 Pah iote Franfais ; in which he conftantly defended 
 L he conduct -.of la Fayette. He attached himfelf to 
 the party called GirondifcD. 
 
 To the Englifh reader this name may require 
 fome explanation. The warm and moft violent 
 of the National Convention, having gained ths 
 confidence and fupport of the city of Paris by 
 various arts, but principally by declaring, upon 
 everv opportunity, that Paris mufc conftantly be- the 
 place in which the National Reprefentation miifc. 
 hold their deliberations; to balance again ft this 
 power of Paris, Condorcet, Petion, Vergniaux, Brii- 
 for, Ifnard, and others, all members of the Conven 
 tion, endeavoured to gain the commercial cities in 
 their intereft. Bourdeaux was the principal of thofe 
 b 3 cities 
 
SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 cities which joined them; it is fituated on the river 
 Garonne, locally pronounced Gironde, which being 
 the center of a department, named from the river, 
 the appellation of Girondifls was given to the whole 
 party. 
 
 The whole was a druggie for power: there was 
 no other object whatever. It is a foolifh, and an idle 
 alfertion, in thofe who fay, that Brifibt and the party 
 had engaged in a plot to reftore the monarchy of 
 France. Whatever their opinions might have been 
 infome of the early ftages of the revolution, perhaps 
 fromanapprehenfion that the people of France might 
 hefitate at an abrupt proportion of a republican go 
 vernment, they were unqueftionably innocent of 
 the charge at the time it was made. Here follow, 
 however, the documents as publifhed by authority, 
 in justification of the execution, which, likje all other 
 itate papers, in every country, confift of the beft 
 apology, or mofl colourable pretence, for a thing 
 that has been done by order of government. 
 
 Report agalnft Briffot^ and the other arrefted Deputies ; 
 made Qftober 3, 1793. 
 
 The Citizens of Paris, being informed that Amar 
 was to prefent his report from the Committee ofGe- 
 neral Safety this day, filled the galleries at a very 
 early hour. 
 
 As foon as he appeared at the bar, the applaufes 
 were fo loud and continued, that he was unable to 
 begin for more than a quarter of an hour. 
 
 At length, amidft the moft profound filence, he 
 read his report. 
 
 He began by fisting, that, before he proceeded to 
 the report which had been expelled with fuch im 
 patience, and would amply recompenfe the unavoid 
 able delay that had prevented a more fpeedy gratifi 
 cation of the -wifhes of the peoplej Us was com- 
 
 manded 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. XK 
 
 manded by the Committee of General Safety to re- 
 queft that none of the members of the Convention 
 fhould be allowed to go out till the decree of accu- 
 iation had been adopted. This requeft was imme 
 diately complied with, and a decree being parted, 
 the Prefident gave orders to the Commander of the 
 National Guards to allow no members to go beyond 
 the bar. 
 
 Amar then affirmed that the gigantic arm of trea.- 
 fon had been uplifted to ftrike the reprefentative 
 majefty of the people, and to level with the groun^ 
 the unity and indivifibility of the French Republic. 
 The arm of treafon had been nerved and iupported 
 by the united energies of Briflbt, Condorcet, Gaudet, 
 Vergniaud, and the other Deputies. 
 
 BrifTot, the leader of this traitorous band, com 
 menced his political career by being a Member of 
 the Commune of Paris, to which he was introduced 
 by La Fayette r to whofe defigns he had profrituted 
 his pen. At this aera of his life he made his ap 
 pearance three times in the Jacobin Club. In the 
 firft vifit he propofed thofe meafures which have 
 proved fo difailrous to the Colonies ; in the fecoml, 
 he attempted to produce the afTaffination of the peo 
 ple in the Champ de Marsj. and in the third vifit he 
 moved the declaration of war againft Great-Britain. 
 
 Introduced into the Legiflative AfTembly, he im<- 
 mediately entered into a coalition with Condorcet 
 and the Girondine faction, whofe defigns he approvr- 
 cd and fupported. The confummation of the ob 
 ject of this coalition was to have been produced by 
 the fin-render of trie Republican body to the viola- 
 tion of the Allied Powers, and by the deftrudlion of 
 that unity and indivifibility which can alone be ex 
 pected to combat with effect the tyrants who would 
 undermine the proud pillar of Liberty, and deftroy 
 even the veftigs of. freedom from the face of the 
 earth. 
 
 The 
 
XX SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 The Court made ufe of their influence to declare 
 war at a moment when the armies and the fortified 
 places were in aftate of abfolute want,orentrufted to 
 traitors chofen by a perjured King. They protected 
 Narbonne, the minifter, whom all France accufed of 
 the meafures taken to render this war fatal to liber 
 ty; and in their Journals they calumniated the Pa 
 triots who had the courage to refift them. They de 
 fended Dietrifch, convicted of being an accomplice 
 with La Fayette, and of having offered to give up 
 Stralbourg; and while the chiefs of that faction pro 
 tected the confpirators and traitorous Generals, the 
 patriotic foldiers were profcribed, and the volunteers 
 of Paris Cent to be butchered. 
 
 During the time we were furrounded by the fa- 
 tcllites of defpots, when the court was going, to 
 open the gates of France to them, after having cauf- 
 -i the intrepid defenders of liberty to be murdered 
 at Paris, BrilTot and his accomplices did all they 
 could to counteract the generous efforts of the peo 
 ple, and to fave the tyrant. During and after the 
 unhappy infurrection of the loth of Augufh they 
 en.deavcured to prevent the abdication of Louis XVI. 
 and to preferve to him the crown. 
 
 In the night of the loth of An grift, Petion, ftiut 
 up in the Thuilleries, confulted with the fatellites of 
 'tyrants the plan to mafiacre the people, and gave or 
 ders to Mandat, Commander of the National Guards, 
 to let thr people come in, and then to cannonade 
 them in the rear, A few days before, Genfonne 
 and Vergniaud engaged to defend Louis XVI. on 
 condition that the three minifters, Roland, Claviere, 
 and Servan were recalled. 
 
 Petion and La Source made ufe of all their means 
 to fend the federates from Paris. Briflbt, Kerfaint, 
 and Rouyer, according to the letters found in the 
 Thuilleries, gave bad advice to the tyrant, and, in 
 defiance of the laws, they dared to luiicit places in 
 
 the- 
 
or j. p. B.RISSOT. xxi 
 
 the miniflry, under a promife to extend the deftruc- 
 tive authorities of the defpot. 
 
 The project to overturn the foundation of the 
 Republic, and to murder the friends of Liberty, 
 was put in practice in the Legiflative Aflembly, by 
 Britfot, in his infidious harangue on the 2oth of July> 
 1792, oppofing the abdication of the throne. We 
 have feen BrifTot and his accomplices Republicans 
 under Monarchy, and Royalifts under the Repub 
 lic; always co-nftant in their deli-gns to ruin the 
 French nation, and to abandon it to its enemies. 
 At the time the hypocritical tyrant, Louis the XVL 
 came into the Aflembly to accufe the people, vvhofe 
 maflacre he had prepared, Vergniaud, like a true 
 accomplice of the tyrant, told him " That the Af~ 
 fembly held it to be one of their mod facred duties 
 to maintain ail conitituted authorities, and confe- 
 quently that of Royalty." 
 
 When the Attorney-general, Raderer, came to 
 announce, with the accent of grief, that the citi 
 zens in infurreftion had taken the refolution not to 
 feparate till the AfTembly had pronounced the for 
 feiture of the Crown, Prefident Vergniaud filenced 
 the applaufes from the gallaries by telling them, that 
 they violated the laws in ebftrudYmg the freedom of 
 opinion; and he told Raderer, that the AflTembly 
 was going to take into immediate confideration the 
 propofal which he, Vergniaud, had made, fhewing 
 the neceffity of preferving the exigence of the King. 
 
 Kerfaint feconded the motion. Geradet propofed' 
 to liberate Mandat, who was arrefted for having 
 given orders to fire on the. people; or, in the event 
 that that commander was no more, to feud a depu^- 
 ta:ion of twelve Girondift members, authorifed to 
 choofe hisfucceflor, in order by this means to keep the 
 public force at the difpofition of that mifchievous 
 faction. 
 
 In that memorable fitting of the roth of Auguil^ 
 
 . the 
 
XXli SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 the Girondift chiefs, Vergniaud, Guadet, and Gen- 
 fonne, took by turns the chair, and went to the 
 galleries to flacken the energy of the people, and to 
 lave Royalty, under the fliicld of the pretended con- 
 flitution. They fpoke of nothing but obedience 
 to the conftitutional laws to thofe citizens that came 
 to the bar to protect their newly acquired liberty. 
 
 When the municipality crime to invite the Ailem- 
 bly to fend the frcces-verba! of the great operations of 
 the loth of Auguft, in order to prevent the calum 
 nies of the enemies of liberty. Guadet interrupted 
 the members who made that demand, by making a. 
 motion to recommend anew to the magistrates the 
 execution of the laws. He blamed the Council of 
 the Commune for having confined Petion in his own 
 houfe; though they did it in order to render it im- 
 poffible for that impoflor to make, even infurrectioir 
 iubfervient to act againft liberty. 
 
 When a deputation from the fubnrb St. Antoine 
 Came to announce the civic afniction of the widows 
 and children maflacred on that day, the perfidious 
 Guadet cooly anfwered them, " That the Aflembiy 
 hoped to reilore public tranquillity and the reign of 
 the laws." 
 
 Vergniaud, in the name of the extraordinary com- 
 miffion directed by that faction, propofed the fuf- 
 penfion of the King, who had been dethroned by the 
 people, as a (imple confervatory act of royalty; and 
 i'eemed greatly affected at the events which had faved 
 the country, and operated the ruin of the tyrants. 
 He oppofed Choudieu's motion, tending to exclude 
 from the Convention the members of both the Le- 
 gillative and Conftituent AlTemblies; and with the 
 fame cunning he prevented the regifters of the civil 
 lift from being depofited on the table. 
 
 Gaudet vviilied to have a governor named to the 
 fon of the lute King, whom he called the Prince 
 !R.oyal, Erifibt and his accomplices always affected 
 
 to 
 
OF J. If. BHISSOT. XXlll 
 
 to invoke the literal execution of the ConfHtution, 
 while the people, in the name of the martyrs who 
 fell before the caftle of the Thuilleries, demanded, 
 the complete overthrow of the tyrant. 
 
 Vergniaud oppofed this demand, faying, that the 
 people of Paris v/ere but a fection of the empire, 
 and affecled to oppofe it in this manner to the de 
 partments. He likewife refifted the petition made 
 by the Commons to put the tyrant under arreft. He 
 ufed all his efforts with Briflot, Petion, and Manuel, 
 to get Louis XVI. confined in the Luxembourg, 
 from whence it would have been eafier for him to 
 efcape than out of the tower of the temple, 
 
 Genfonne and Gaudet had the fervility to publifii, 
 at different times, that Louis XVI. had commanded 
 theSwifs not to fire upon the people. From that time, 
 the leaders of the Girondifts (Department of Bour- 
 deaux), compelled to praife the events of the loth 
 of Auguft, continued, notwithstanding, to under 
 mine the Republic. They publifhed the fevereft 
 fatires againfl the Jacobins, againft the Commons 
 and people of Paris, and in general againft all thofe 
 who contributed to the deftruftion of monarchy. 
 Roland's houfe was filled with packets of libels, 
 which were to be difiributed among the people, and 
 fent into the departments. 
 
 Tiiefe guilty men protected all the confpirators, 
 favoured the progrefs of Brunfvvick with all their 
 power, and were the agents of the Englilh faction 
 which has exerted fo fatal an influence during the 
 courfe of our revolution. Carra was in league with 
 certain characters of the court of Berlin. In his 
 Journal Politique of the 25th of Augufl, 1/91, he 
 formed a wifli, on account of the marriage of the 
 Duke of York with thePrincefs of Pruffia, " that the 
 Puke might become Grand Duke of Belgium, with 
 all the powers of the King of the French." While 
 Brunfwick was preparing to decide the fate of the 
 
 French 
 
SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 French nation by the force of arms, Carra, in the 
 fame Journal, reprefented him as a great commander, 
 the greateft politician, the moft amiable Prince in 
 Europe, formed to be the reftorer of liberty in all 
 nations. He publifhed, that this Duke, on his arri 
 val at Paris, would go to the Jacobins, and put on 
 the red cap, in order to intereft the people in favour 
 of this fatellite of tyrants. Finally, Carra was fo 
 audacious as to propofe openly to the Jacobins, for 
 the Duke of York to be King of the French. 
 
 From thefe and many other fals, too tedious to 
 mention, there refults, that Carra and his afibciates 
 were iniquitous and deep diffemblers, pensioned by 
 England, Prulfia, and Holland, to enable a Prince 
 of that family which rules over thofe countries to 
 obtain the crown of France This fame Carra, to 
 gether with Sillery, the difhonoured. confidant of a 
 contemptible Prince, was fent by the then reigning 
 faclion to Dumourier, to complete that treafon which 
 faved the almoft ruined army of the Pmflian defpot. 
 Dumourier came fuddenly to Paris to concert with 
 Briflbt, Petio.n, Guadet, Genfonne, and Carra, the 
 perfidious expedition into the Auftrian Netherlands, 
 vi'hich he undertook when the Pruflian army, waft 
 ing away by contagious diforders, was peaceably re 
 tiring while the French army was burning with 
 indignation at the inaction in which they were kept. 
 
 It was not the fault of this faction, if the motion 
 often made by Carra to receive Brunfwick at Paris, 
 was not realized. He meditated, in the beginning 
 of September, 1/92, to deliver up this city, with 
 out means of defence, by flying beyond the river' 
 Loire, with the Legiflative Aflembly, with the Exe 
 cutive .Council, and with the captive King. He was 
 fupported in it by Roland, Claviere, and le Brun, 
 the creatures and inilruments of Briflbt and his ac 
 complices. 
 
 But thefe perfidious minifters, having been threat 
 ened 
 
F J. P. BRISSOT. XXV 
 
 s-ned by one of their colleagues to be denounced to 
 the people, it was then that Carra and Sillery were 
 Tent to Dumourier, to authorize this General to ne- 
 gociate with Frederick William, to enable this Prince 
 xo get out of the kingdom, on condition that he 
 ihouid leave the Netherlands without the fufficient 
 means of defence, and deliver them up to the nume- 
 TOUS and triumphant armies of France. 
 
 The calumnious harangues that were made in the 
 Tribunes were prepared or fanctioned at Roland's, 
 or in the meetings that were held at Valaze's and Pe- 
 tion's. They propofed to furround the Convention, 
 with a pretorian guard, under the name of Depart 
 mental Force, which was to be the bafis of their 
 fcederal fyftem. In the Legiilative Aflembly they 
 meditated a. flight beyond the Loire, with the AfTem- 
 bly, the Executive Council, the Royal Family, and 
 the public treafure. Kerfaint, at his return from Se 
 dan, dared to propofe this project to the Executive 
 Council; and it was fupported by Roland, Claviere, 
 and le Brun, the creatures and inftrnments of BrifTbt. 
 
 The faction flrove to put off the judgment of the 
 tyrant by impeding the difcuffion. They appointed 
 a commiffion of twenty-four members to examine 
 the pap.ers found in the Thuilleres, in the guilt of 
 which fome of thefe members were implicated; and 
 they endeavoured, in concert with Roland, to con 
 ceal thofe which tended to difcover their tranfaction 
 with the court. They voted for the appeal to the 
 people, which would have been a germ for civil war, 
 and afterwards wanted a refpite to the judgment. 
 
 They inceflantly repeated, that the Convention 
 could do no good, and that it was not free. Thefe 
 -declamations mifled the departments, and induced 
 them to form a coalition which was near being fatal 
 to France. 
 
 They patronized an incivic peace, entitled, U*mi 
 dts Loix. 
 
 c Oil 
 
XXVI SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 On the 1 4th of January, Barbaroux and his friends 
 Jiad given orders to the battalion of Marfeillois to 
 furround the Convention. 
 
 On the 2oth, Validi wrote to the other deputies, 
 " To-morrow in arms to the Convention he is a 
 coward who does not appear there." 
 
 BrifTot, after the condemnation of Louis Capet, 
 c.enfured the Convention, and threatened France 
 with the vengeance of the European Kings. When 
 it was his object to bring on war, he fpoke in an op- 
 pofite fenfe, and treated the downfal of all 'thrones, 
 and the conqueft of the univerfe, as the fport of the 
 French nation. Being the organ of the Diplomatic 
 Committee, compofed almoft entirely of the fame 
 faction, he propofed war fuddenly againft England, 
 Holland, and all the powers that had not then de 
 clared themfelves. 
 
 This faction acted in coalition with perfidious 
 Generals, particularly with Dumourier. Genfonne 
 held a daily correfpondence with him: Petion was 
 his friend. He avowed himfelf ^he Counfellor of 
 the Orleans party, and had connection with Sillery 
 and his wife. 
 
 After the revolt of Dumourier, Vergniaud, Gua- 
 det, BrifTot, and Genfonne, wiflied to jtittify his 
 conduct to the Committee of General Defence, af- 
 ferting that the denunciations made againft him by 
 the Jacobins and the Mountain were the caufe of his 
 conduct; and that Dumourier was the protector of 
 the found part of the Convention. This was the 
 party of which Petion, BruTot, Vergniaud, &-c. were* 
 the chiefs and the orators. 
 
 When Dumourier'vvas declared a traitor by the 
 Convention, Briflbt, in the Patriots Frar$cifc, as well 
 as other writers, who were his ac.c.oni}.-i ices, praifed 
 him, in defiance of the law. As members of the 
 Committee of Genern.l Defence, they ought to have 
 given information relative to the preparations that 
 
 were 
 
OF j, P. BRISSO I 1 .- xxvii 
 
 t> v ere making in La Vendee. The Convention, 
 however, was not made acquainted with them till 
 the war became ferious. 
 
 Thjy urmed the Sections where Ariftocracy reign 
 ed, agai'nft thofe where public fpirit was triumphant. 
 
 They affected to believe that a plot was meditated 
 by the 'Republicans againft the National Conven 
 tion, for the purpofe of naming the commiffion of 
 twelve, who, in an arbitrary manner, imprifoned 
 the magiftrates of the people, and made war againft 
 the patriots.- . 
 
 Ifnard developed the views of the confpiracy, 
 when he ufed this atrocious expreflion: " The afto- 
 niflisd traveller will feek on xvhat banks of the Seine 
 Paris once flood." The Convention diflblved the 
 commiffion, which, however, refumed its functions 
 on its own authority, and continued to aft. 
 
 The faction, by the addreffes which it fent to the 
 departments, armed them againft Paris and the Con 
 vention. The death of numbers of patriots in the 
 fouthern departments, and particularly at Marfeilles, 
 where they perimed on the fcafFold, was the confc- 
 quence of thofe fatal divilions in the Convention, 
 of which they were the authors. The defection 
 of Marfeilles foon produced that of Lyons. This 
 important city became the central point of the coun 
 ter-revolution in the South. The republican muni 
 cipality was difperfed by the rebels, and good citi 
 zens were maflacred. Every punifhment that cruel 
 ty could devife to increafe the torments of death was 
 put in execution. The administrative bodies were 
 leagued partly with Lyons, and partly with foreign 
 Ariilocrats^ and with the Emigrants difperfed through 
 the Swifs Cantons. 
 
 The cabinet of London afforded life and energy 
 to this rebellious league. Its pretext was the anar 
 chy that reigned at Paris-r-its leaders, the traitorous 
 deputies of the Convention. 
 
 c 2 Whilft 
 
XXVlii SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 Whilft they inade this powerful diverfion in fa 
 vour of the tyrants united againft us, La Vendee 
 continued to drink the blood of the patriots. 
 
 Carra and Duchatel were fent to this department 
 in quality of Deputies from the National Conven 
 tion. 
 
 Carra publicly exhorted the adminiflrators of the 
 Maine and Loire to fend troops againft Paris. Both 
 thefe deputies were at the fame time connected with 
 the Generals of the combined armies. 
 
 Couftard, fent alfo as a commiilioner, carried his 
 treafonable projects to fuch a length, as even to fur- 
 nilh fupplies of provifions and ftores to the rebels. 
 The miffion of the agents of this faction, fent to 
 different parts of the republic, was marked by fingu- 
 lar traitorous meafures. 
 
 Perhaps the column of republican power would 
 ere this have meafured its length upon the ground, 
 if the confpirators had preferred much longer their 
 inordinate power. On the loth of Auguft, the foun 
 dation of the column was laid; on the gift of May 
 it was preferred from detraction. The accufed 
 publifhed a thoufand feditious addreffes, a thoufand 
 counter-revolutionary libels, fuch as that sddreifcd 
 by Condorcet to the department of the Aifne. They 
 are the diigraceful monuments of. the treafon by 
 which they hoped to involve France in ruin. 
 
 Ducos and Fonfrede formed the flame of the rebel- 
 iion, by their correfpondencc and their fpeeches, in 
 which they celebrated the virtues of the confpirators'c 
 
 Several of thefe confpirators fled, and dirperfed 
 themfeives through the departments They eftabliih- 
 ed there a kind of National Convention, and invert 
 ed the acimiiilftration with independent powers 
 they encircled themfeives with guards and cannon, 
 pillaged the public treafuries, intercepted provilions 
 that were on the road to Paris, and fent them to the 
 revolted inhabitants of the former provinces of BrJ> 
 
 tanny. 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. 
 
 tanny. They levied a new army, and gave Wimp- 
 fen, degraded by his attachment to tyranny, the 
 command ot this army. 
 
 They attempted to'effecT: a junction with the re 
 bels of la Vendee, and to furrender to the enemy the 
 provinces of Britanny and Normandy. 
 
 They deputed afiaffins to Paris, to murder the 
 members of the Convention, and particularly Marat, 
 whole definition they had folemnly fworn to ac- 
 complifk. They put a poignard into the hands of a 
 woman who was recommended to Duperret by Bar- 
 baroax and his accomplices. She was conveyed into 
 the gallery of the Convention* by Fanchet. The 
 enemies of- France exalted her as a heroine. Petion 
 pronounced her apotheofis at Caen, and threw over 
 the blood-ftained form of aflaffination the fnowy 
 robe of virtue. 
 
 Girey Dupre, the colleague cf Briilbr, in the pub 
 lication of the Patriots Fraufais, printed at Caen le- 
 veral fongs, which invited, in a forinai manner, the 
 citizens of Caen to arm themfelvea with poignard.* , 
 for the purpofe- of ftabbing three deputies of i:;c 
 Convention, who were pointed out by name. 
 
 BrilTot fled with a lie added to his other crimes. 
 Had he gone to Switzerland, as the falfe pnflpor': 
 ftated, it would have been for the purpofe of excit 
 ing a new enemy againft France. 
 
 Rabaud St. Etierre, Rebccqui, Duprat, and An- 
 tiboul, carried the torch of fedition into the depart 
 ment of le Card and the neighbouring departments, 
 Biroteau, Rouger, and Roland, projected their ter 
 rible plots in Lyono, where they poured the ample 
 ftream of patriotic blood, by attaching to the friends 
 of their country the appellation of anarchifts and 
 monopolizers. 
 
 At Toulon thefe endeavours were fuccefsful, am! 
 
 Toulon is now in the hands of the Englifh. The 
 
 fame lot was refervccl for Bourdeaux and Marfeilles. 
 
 c 3, The 
 
XXX 
 
 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 The reigning faction had made fome overtures to 
 Lord Hood, vvhofe fleet they expected. The entire 
 execution of the confpiracy in the South waited only 
 for the junction of the Marfeillefe and Lyonefe, 
 Avhich was prevented by the victory gained by the 
 Republican army which produced the reduction of 
 Marfeilles. 
 
 The meafures of the confpirators were exactly 
 fimilar to thofe of the enemies of France, and par 
 ticularly of the Englifli. Their writings differed in 
 nothing from thofe of the Englifli minifters, and li 
 bellers in the pay of the Englifh minifters. 
 
 The DEPUTIES. 
 Attempted to do the fame. 
 
 The deputies procured the 
 affjfiinati on of Marat and Le 
 Pellecier. 
 
 The deputies did all in their 
 power to produce this effedl. 
 
 The deputies obtained a de 
 claration of war againft all na 
 tions. 
 
 Carra and BrifTot entered 
 inta a panegyric of the Dukes 
 of York and Brunfwick, and 
 even went fo far as to propofe 
 them for Kings. 
 
 The deputies have produced 
 the ceftrucYion of the colonies-. 
 
 Briflbt, Petion, Guadet, 
 Genfonne, Vergniaud, Ducos, 
 and Fonfrede, directed the 
 meafures relative to the colo 
 nies, which meafures reduced 
 them to the mofl lamentable 
 fituation. 
 
 Santbonax and Polverel, the guilty Comrniffioners 
 who ravaged the colonies with fire and fword, are 
 their accomplices. Proofs of their corruption exift 
 in the correfpondeace of Raimond. their creature. 
 
 Of 
 
 Mr. PITT. 
 
 V/ifhed to degrade and to 
 difiblve the Conventien. 
 
 He wiflied to affailinate the 
 members of the Convention. 
 
 He wiflied to deftroy Paris. 
 
 He wifhed to arm all na 
 tions againft France. 
 
 In this intended partition of 
 France, Mr. Pitt wifhed to 
 procure a part for the Duke of 
 York, or fome other branch 
 of his matter's family. 
 
 He endeavoured to deftroy 
 w colonies* 
 
OF J. P. BRISSOT. XX.Sl 
 
 Of the numerous facts of which the faction are 
 accufed, ibme relate only to particular individuals: 
 the general confpiracy, however, is attached to all. 
 
 Upon this aft of accuiation they were tried before 
 the Revolutionary Tribunal, on the 3oth day of 
 October, 1793. When the a6t of accufation was 
 read to them in the court, they refufed to make any 
 aiil'wer to it, unlefs Robefpie:'re, Darrere, and other 
 members of the Committee of Safety, were prefent, 
 and interrogated: they infifted upon thofe members 
 being fent for; which being refufed, and they ftill 
 refusing to make any anfwer, the Judge ftated to the 
 Jury, that from the act of accuiation it refulted that, 
 
 I. There exilted a confpiracy againfc the unity 
 and indiviiibility of t-he Republic, the liberty ai^tl 
 fafety of the French people. 
 
 II. That all the individuals denounced in the act 
 of accufation are guilty of this confpiracy, as being 
 either the authors of, or the accomplices in it. 
 
 The Jury of the Revolutionary Tribunal brought 
 in their verdict at eleven o'clock at night, on the 
 3Oth of October, againit 
 
 BRISSOT, 
 
 Vergniaud Sillery 
 
 Genfonne Fauchet 
 
 Duprat Duperret 
 
 Valaze Lafource 
 
 Lehardi Carra 
 
 Ducos Beauvais 
 
 Fonfrede Mainvielle 
 
 Borleau Antiboul 
 
 Gardien Vigce, and 
 
 Duchatel Lacaze, 
 
 who were declared to be the authors and accompli 
 ces of a confpiracy which had exifted againft the 
 unity and indivifibility of the Republic, againil the 
 liberty and fecurity of the French people. 
 
 The 
 
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF J. P. BRISCOT. 
 
 The Prefident of the Revolutionary Tribunal im 
 mediately pronounced the fentence decreed by the 
 conftitution: That they fhould fuffer the puniih- 
 ment of death that their execution fhould take 
 place on the fubfequent day, on the Place de Revo 
 lution that their property fhould be confifcated, and 
 that this fentence fhould be printed and polled up 
 throughout the whole extent of the republic. 
 
 As foon as the fentence was pronounced, Valaze 
 pulled a dagger from his pocket and flabbed him- 
 ielf. The Tribunal immediately ordered that the 
 body fhould b conveyed on the morrow to the 
 Place de la Revolution^ with the other deputies. 
 
 At eleven o'clock in the forenoon, on the 31 ft, 
 the execution took place. The ftreets were lined 
 with foldiers, and every precaution taken to prevent 
 the difiurbance of the public tranquillity. 
 
 Duchatd, Ducos, Fonfrede, and Lehardi, pre- 
 ferved a firm and undaunted air, and furveyed tin; 
 engine of death xvith a compofed and unrufflecl coun 
 tenance. 
 
 The deportment of Briffot was manly he pre- 
 lerved a fixed filence, and fu omitted his head to the 
 guillotine, after furveying fiedfaflly, for a few mo 
 ments, the Deputies, to whom, however, he did not 
 fpeak. 
 
 Sillery faluted the people with much refpecl, and 
 converfed a fhort time with his confeflbr, as did 
 Fauchet. Lafource died in a penitential manner. ~~ 
 Carra, Vergniaud, Genfonne, Duperret, Gardien, 
 Duprat, Beauvais, Mainvielle, Lacaze, Antiboul, 
 and Vigee, died with firmnefs, and with the excla 
 mation of " Vive la Re.publi'jue " The executioji 
 was concluded in thirty-feven minutes. 
 
 CONTENTS, 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 I 
 
 NTRODUCTIQN . i 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of External Commerce; the circiimftances 
 which lead to it, and the Means of alluring 
 h to a Nation . . . . * . . 1 7 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Of External Commerce, confidered in its 
 Means of Exchange, and its Balance . . 24 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Application of the foregoing general Principles 
 to the reciprocal Commerce of France and 
 the United States . .... 38 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 That the United States are obliged by their pre- 
 fent Neceffities and Circumfumces to engage 
 in foreign Commerce . . . .46 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Of the Importation to be made from France 
 into the United States, or of the Wants of 
 the United States and the Productions of 
 France which corrcfpond thereto . .64 
 
 Scftioa 
 
XXXIV CONTENTS. 
 
 Pa 3 e. 
 
 Seflion I. W'nes . . . - 6^' 
 
 Seflion II. Brandy 74 
 
 Seflionlll. Oils, Olives, Dry Fruits, &c. 79 
 
 ?#/* IV. Cloths So 
 
 SeflionV. Linens 84 
 
 Seflion VI. Silks, Ribbons, Silk Stockings, 
 
 Gold and Silver Lace, &c. . . .92 
 
 Section VII. Hats 96 
 
 &#/ VIII. Leather, Shoes, Boots, Saddles, 
 
 c .97 
 
 &<ffxM IX. Gl&fs Houfes . . .100 
 
 SeflicnX. Iron and Steel .... 1031 
 Sefzion XL Jewellery, Gold and Silverfmiths' 
 
 Articles, Clock-work, &c. . . 109 
 
 Seflion XII Different Sorts of Paper, ftained 
 
 Paper, &c. . . . .112, 
 
 Seftion XIII. Printing , , . .115 
 SeffionXIV. Salt . . . 117 
 
 Seflun XV. General Confiderations on the 
 
 Catalogue of French Importations into the 
 
 United States . . ' 118 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Of the articles which Independent America 
 may furnifh in return for Importations from 
 France . . . . . .120 
 
 MonfieurCslonne's Letter to Mr. Jefferfon, the 
 American Minifter at Paris . . . ibid 
 
 EXPORTS OF AMERICA .... 125 
 Seflion I. Tobacco .... ibid 
 Settion II. Fifaeries, Whale-oil, &c. Sperma 
 ceti Candles 128 
 
 Sfflion III. Corn, Flour, &c. . .135 
 
 Seflicn IV. Mafts, Yards, and other Timber 
 
 for the Navy . . . . . 139 
 SeflicnV. Skins and Furs . , .141 
 
 Sefliott 
 
CONTENTS. XXXV 
 
 Page. 
 
 Seflion VI. Rice, Indigo, Flax-feed > . . 143 
 
 Stfiicn VII. Naval Stores, fueh as Pitch, 
 Tar, and Turpentine . . . 147 
 
 Seftion VIII. Timber and Wood, for Car 
 penters and Coopers Work ; fuch as Staves, 
 Cafks-heads, Planks, Boards, &c. . .148 
 
 Seflion IX. VeiTels conftru&ed in America, 
 to be fold or freighted . . . . 150 
 
 Setfion X. GeneralCpnfHerations on the pre 
 ceding Catalogue of Importations from the 
 United States into France . , . 156 
 
 CONCLUSION, and Reflections on the Situation 
 
 of the United States .... -163 
 
 APPENDIX; confiding of authentic Papers, and 
 
 Illuflrations, added by the Editor . -171 
 
 Return of the Population of the United States 173 
 
 Ditto of the Territory South of tiie Ohio . 174 
 
 Dr. Franklins Qbfervations on the Popula 
 tion of America . . . . .176 
 
 Captain Hutchins's Account of the Weftern 
 Territory . . . . . .178 
 
 Thoughts on the Duration of the American 
 Commonwealth ..... 206 
 
 ,Mc. Jefferfon's State of the Commercial In- 
 tercourfe between the United States and 
 Foreign .Nations ..... 209 
 
 principal Articles of Exportation during the 
 Year 1792 . . . . . 225 
 
 Of the Civil Lift and Revenue of the United 
 States ...... 226 
 
 Mr. Paine's Statement of the Expences of the 
 American government ... . 227 
 
 INTRODUCTION, 
 
INTRODUCTION, 
 
 Br J. P. BRISSQT DE WARVILLE, 
 
 TH, 
 
 Court of Great-Britain had no fooncr figned 
 the Treaty acknowledging the Independence of her 
 late Colonies in North America, than her merchants., 
 and political writers fought the means of rendering, 
 to her by commerce an equivalent for her lofTes by 
 the war. 
 
 Lord Sheffield has predicted, in his Obfervations 
 on the Commerce of America, " that England would 
 always be the florehoufe of the United States; that 
 the Americans, conft.antly attracted by the excel 
 lence of her manufactures, the long experienced in>- 
 tegrity of her merchants, and the length of credit,, 
 which they only can give, would foon forget the 
 wounds which the minifterial defpotifm of London,, 
 as well as the ferocity o the Englifh and German 
 'Satellites, had given to America, to form with it new 
 aind durable connexions."* 
 
 This politician was the only one who appeared in 
 that career; others followed it [Dr. Price, &c.] : 
 and the debates, which-the new regulations of com 
 merce propofed for America, produced in Parlia 
 ment, prove that the matter was known, difcufled, 
 and profoundly examined. 
 
 B The 
 
 * Thefe are not Lord Sheffield's worJs. They are M. Brif- 
 fot'sj and contain HIS cle.foription of Lord Sheffield's SVPPOSEO- 
 fentimcnts, from a peuial of that Nobleman's Q,bfeivatii>aso.- 
 tf-Js Commerce! of America, 
 
1 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Englifh nation refembled at that time a man 
 who, coming out of a long delirium (\vhereinhehaci 
 broken every thing that he ought to have held mod 
 dear,) eagerly ftrives to repair tltc ravages of his in- 
 fanity. 
 
 As for us, we have triumphed, and the honour of 
 the triumph is almofl the only benefit we have reap 
 ed. Tranquil under the fhacle of our laurels, we fee 
 with indifference the relations of commerce which 
 nature has created between us and the United States; 
 whilft, to ufe the language of vulgar policy, the 
 Englifh, of whom we are jealous as our rivals, whom 
 \ve fear as our enemies, ufe the greateft efforts to 
 make it impofiible for us to form new connexions 
 with our new friends. 
 
 That the Englifh. will fucceed, there is no doubt, 
 if our languor be not foon replaced by activity ; if 
 the greateft and moft generous faculties, on our part, 
 do not frnooth this commerce, new, and confequent- 
 ly eafy to be facilitated: finally, if our ignorance of 
 the ftate of America be not fpeedily diffipatedby the 
 conftant fludy of her refources of territory, com 
 merce, finance, &c. snd affinities they may have 
 with thofe of their own. 
 
 Our ignorance! This word will undoubtedly 
 fliock, for we have the pride of an ancient people: 
 We think we know every thing, have cxhaulted 
 every thing: Yes, we have exhaufted every thing; 
 but in what? In futile fciences, in frivolous arts, 
 in modes, in luxury, in the art of p leafing women, 
 and the relaxation of morals. We make elegant 
 courfes of chymiftry, charming experiments, deli 
 cious verfes, ftrangecsat home, little informed of any 
 thing abroad: this is what we are; that is, we know 
 every thing except that ivliich is proper for us to know.* 
 
 It 
 
 * This atfertion will perhaps appear fevere and faife, even ro 
 perfons who think that we exec! in phyfics anJ the exacl fci- 
 enccs. But in granting this, is it thefe kinds of fcitnces to 
 
INTRODUCTION. 3 
 
 It would be opening a vaft field to fhew what is 
 proper for us to know, therefore I will not under 
 take it. I confine myfelf to a {ingle point: I fay- 
 that it concerns us eflentially to have a thorough 
 knowledge of the ftate- of America, and that, never- 
 thelefs, we have fcarcely begun the alphabet which 
 leads to it. What I advance has been faid before by 
 Mr. Paine, a free American, and who has not a lit 
 tle contributed, by his patriotic writings, to fpread, 
 fupport, and exalt, among his fellow countrymen, 
 the enthufiafm of liberty, I will remark, fays he, in 
 his judicious letter to the Abbe Raynal, that I have 
 not yst fesn a defer iption, given in* 'Europe, of America , 
 cf which the fidelity can be relied on. 
 
 In France, I fay it with forrow, the fcience of 
 commerce is almoft unknown, becaufe its practice 
 has long been difhonoured by prejudice; which pre 
 vents the gentry fronvthinking of it. This preju 
 dice, which is improperly thought indeftru&ible, 
 becaufe the nobility are improperly thought one of 
 the neceflary elements of a monarchical conftitution ; 
 this would alone be capable of preventing French 
 commerce from having activity, energy, and digni 
 ty, were it not to be hoped, that found philofophy, 
 in deibroying.it infenfibly, 'would bring men to the great 
 idea of ejlimating individuals by their talents, and not 
 by their birth: without this idea there can be no 
 great national commerce, but ariftocratical men will 
 abound; that is, men incapable of conceiving any- 
 elevated view; and men contemptible, not in a ftate 
 to produce them. 
 
 B 2 Finally, 
 
 which a man who reflects ought at firfr to give himfelf up? 
 D->es not the ftudy of his locial and civil ftate more nearly con 
 cern him ? Ought not this to intereft him more than the num 
 ber of ftars, or the order of chymical affinities ? It is, how 
 ever, the fcience of which we think ihe leaft. We are pa/Tion- 
 ately fond cf poetry : we difpute Tericufly about muficj that 
 is, we have a great tonfideration for playthings, and make a 
 plaything of our affairs. 
 
Finally, another prejudice, quite as abfuroVwhic'h 
 has been combated a thoufand times, and is always 
 :predominant in France, withholds from the eyes of 
 the public precious memoirs, and interefting difcuf- 
 ons, which would inform France of her interefts. 
 
 Who is ignorant that it is to the freedom of de- 
 "bate and public diicuflion that England owes the fm- 
 gular profperity which, till lately, has followed her 
 very where, in commerce, in arts, in manufactures-,. 
 &s well abroad as at home? a prosperity which file 
 may enjoy in fpitc of the faults of her minifters; for 
 "none but thefe have ever endangered it: and it is to 
 the freedom of debate that fhc has often owed her 
 falvation from ruin. Who doubts that this liberty 
 "would not produce the fame happy effects in France; 
 that it would not deftroy falfe appearances; that 
 it would not prevent the deftrucYive enterprizes of 
 perfonal intereft; that it would not alarm mif- 
 chievous indulgence, or the coalirion of people in 
 place with the enemies of the public welfare? Go 
 vernment feems at prefent 'to do homage to this in 
 fluence of the freedom of difcuffion. At length, it 
 appears to relax of its fcverity in the laws of the preis $ 
 it has fuffered fome (hackles, which reftrained dif- 
 cuffion, to be broken, efpeeially in political matters. 
 But how far are we ftill from feeling the happy ef 
 fects of the liberty of the prefs, rather granted to pub 
 lic opinion, than encouraged by a real love of truth ! 
 
 By what fatality are energetic uifcourfes of truth 
 ineffectual? This ought to be pointed out; govern 
 ment itielf invites us to do it; the abufes which ren 
 tier information ufeleis in France, ought to be laid 
 open. 
 
 It is becanfe the liberty of thinking and writing 
 on political matters is but of recent date. 
 
 Eecaufe the liberty of the prefs is environed with 
 many difgufting circumftances; and that an honeft 
 man who diitiains libels, but loves fran-knef^ is dri~ 
 
INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 ven from the prefs by all thofe humiliating formali 
 ties which fubject the fruit of his meditation and re- 
 fearches to a cenfure neceflarily arifing from igno 
 rance. 
 
 It is becaufe the cenfor, inftituted to check the 
 elevation of a generous liberty, thinks to flatter au 
 thority, by even exceeding the end propofed; fup~ 
 prefles truths, which would frequently have been re 
 ceived, for fear of letting too bold ones efcape, whh 
 which he would have been reproached ; multiplies 
 objections, gives birth to fears, magnifies dangers, 
 and thus difcourages the man of probity, who would 
 have enlightened his fellow citizens; w hi 1ft this cen 
 for fan&ions fcandalous productions, wherein reafon 
 is ficrificed to farcafms, andfevcre morality to ami 
 able vices. * 
 
 It Is becaufe there are but few writers virtuous 
 enough, fufficiently organized, or in proper fituations 
 'to combat and furmount thefe obftacles. 
 
 Becaufe thefe writers, few in number, have but 
 little influence; abufes weakly attacked and itrongly 
 defended, refift every thing which is oppofed to them. 
 
 Becaufe the neceflity of getting works printed in 
 foreign prefles, renders the publication difficult; but 
 few of them efcape from the hands of greedy hawk 
 ers, who monopolize the fale,to fell at a dearer price; 
 who poft the rhyftery, and a falfe rarity, to fell dear 
 : for a longer time. 
 
 tBecaufe thefe books are wanting in the moment 
 B 3 when 
 
 * We may put in the rank of thefe produV:ons which dif- 
 honour the cenforlhip, the comedy of Figaro, a fcand jlous farce, 
 A'hciein, under the appearance of defending morality, it is turn 
 ed into ridicule ; and wherein great truths are difparaged by the 
 contemptible dialogift who prefents them; wherein the end 
 feems to have been to parody' the greateft writers of the age, 
 in giving their language to a rafcally valet, and to encourage 
 oppreffion, in bringing the people to laugh at their degradation, 
 and to applaud themfelvcs for this mad laughter: finally, ia 
 giving, by culpable impofhire, to the whole nation, that cha- 
 r after of negligence an3 levity which belorrgs only to her capital. 
 
6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 when they would excite a happy fermentation, and 
 direct it properly, in giving true principles. 
 
 Becaufe they fall but fucceffively into the hands 
 of well-informed men, who are but few in number, 
 in the fearch of new truths. 
 
 Becaufe the Journalifb, who ought to render them 
 a public homage, are obliged, through fear, to keep 
 filence. 
 
 Becaufe the general mafs, abandoned to the tor 
 rent of frivolous literature, lofes the pleafure of me 
 ditation, and with it the love of profound truths. 
 
 Finally, becaufe truth is by this fatal concurrence 
 of circumftances never fown in a favourable foil, nor 
 in a proper manner; that it is often flified in its birth; 
 and if it furvives all adverfe manoeuvres, it gathers 
 ftrength but flowly, and with difficulty ; confequent- 
 ]y its effects are too circumfcribed for inftruction to 
 become popular and national. 
 
 Let government remove all thefe obflacles: let it 
 have the courage, or rather the found policy, to ren 
 der to the prefs its liberty; and good works, fuch as 
 are really ufeful, will have more fnccefs; from 
 which there will refult much benefit. 
 
 Does it wifh for an example? I will quote one, 
 which is recent and well known: the law-fuit of the 
 monopolizing merchants againft the colonifh of the 
 fugar iflands. Would not the laft have, according 
 to cuftom, been crufhed, if the difpute had been 
 carried on in obfcurity? They had the liberty of 
 ipeech, of writing, and of printing; the public voice 
 was raifed in their favour, truth was triumphant; 
 and the wife minifter, who had permitted a public 
 difcuffion, that he might gain information, pro 
 nounced for humanity in pronouncing in their fa 
 vour. 
 
 Let us hope that this example will be followed; 
 that government will more and more perceive the 
 immenfe advantages which refult from the liberty of 
 
 the 
 
INTRODUCTION. ? 
 
 the prefs. There is one which, above all others, 
 ought to induce it to accelerate this liberty, becaufe 
 it nearly regards the intereft of the prefent moment j 
 this liberty is a powerful means to eftabiifti, fortify, 
 and maintain public credit, which is become, more 
 than ever,, neceflary to great nations, fince they have 
 flood in need of loans. As long as the attempts of 
 perfonal intereft are feared by the obfcurity which 
 covers them, public credit is never firmly eftablifh- 
 ed, nor does it rife to its true height. It is no longer 
 calculated upon the intrinfic ftrength of its refources, 
 but upon the probability, upon the fear of the dif- 
 order, which may either divert them from their real 
 employ, or render them fterile. The liberty of the 
 prefs keeps perfonal intereft too much in awe not to 
 fetter its meafures; and then public credit fupports 
 kfelf if it be eftabliflied, is formed if it be ftill to be 
 constituted, and fortifies itfelf if it has been weaken 
 ed by error. 
 
 Full of thefe ideas, as well as the love of my coun 
 try, and furmounting the obftacles to the liberty of 
 printing, I have undertaken to throw fome light- 
 upon our commercial affinities with the United 
 States. This object is of the greateft importance ;- 
 the queftion is, to develope the immenfe advantages 
 which France may reap from the revolution which 
 flie has fo powerfully favoured, and to indicate the 
 means of extending and confolidating them. 
 
 It appears to me that all the importance of this re 
 volution has not been perceived; that it has not been 
 fufficiently conlidered by men of underftandirig. 
 Let it, therefore, be permitted me to confider it at 
 prefent. 
 
 I will not go into a detail of the advantages which 
 the United States muft reap from the revolution, 
 which allures them liberty. I will not fpeak of that 
 regeneration of the phyfical and moral man, which 
 muft be an infallible confequence of their conftitu- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tions; of that perfection to which free America, left 
 to its energy, without other bounds but its own fa 
 culties, muft one day carry the arts and fciences. 
 America enjoys already the right of free debate, and 
 "it cannot be too often repeated, that without this de 
 bate, perfection is but a mere chimera. In truth, 
 slmoft every thing is yet to be done in the United 
 States, but almoft every thing is there underftood: 
 the general good is the common end of every indi 
 vidual, this end cherilhed, implanted, fo to fpeak, 
 by the conftitution in every heart. With this end, 
 this intelligence, and this liberty, the greateft mira 
 cles muft be performed. 
 
 I will not fpeak of the advantages which all Ame 
 rica muft one day reap from this revolution; nor of 
 the impoffibility that abfurd defpotifrn fhould reign 
 'for a long time in the neighbourhood of liberty. 
 I'will confine myfelf to the examination of what 
 advantages Europe, and France in particular, may 
 draw from this change. There are two which are 
 particularly ftriking: the firft, and greateft of the 
 revolution, at leaft in the eyes of philofophy, is that 
 of Us falutary influence on human knowledge, and 
 on the reform of local prejudices; for this war has 
 occationed difcuffions important to public hnppi- 
 tiefs, the di feu (lion of the focial compact, of 
 civil liberty , : of the means which can render a peo 
 ple independent, of the circumftances which give 
 fanction to its infurrection, and make it legal, and 
 which give this people a place among the powers of 
 the earth. 
 
 What good has not refulted from the repeated de- 
 fcription of the Englifh conftitution, and of its ef 
 fects ? What good has not refulted from the codes 
 : bf Ma(Tachufetts and New-York, publifhed and 
 fpread every where? And what benefits will they 
 ttill produce? They will not be wholly taken for 
 a model ; but defpotifsn will pay a greater refpec\, 
 
 either 
 
't'N T R O D'XJ C T I O'N . 
 
 neceffity or reafon, to the rights of men, 
 Svhish are fo well known and eftablifhed. Enlight 
 ened by this revolution, the governments of Europe 
 T/iil be tnfenfibly obliged to reform their abufes, and 
 to diminifh thei'r burdens, in the juft apprehenfion 
 'that their fubjecb, tired of bearing the weight, will 
 take refuge in the afylum offered to them by the 
 United States. 
 
 This revolution, favourable to the people, which 
 is preparing in the cabinets of Europe, will be un- 
 doubtedly accelerated, by that which its commerce 
 AV ill experience, and which we owe to the enfran- 
 "chifement of America. The war which procured Ft 
 : to her, has made known the influence of commerce 
 on power, the neceffity of public credit, and confe- 
 quently of public virtue, without which it cannot 
 long fiibfift: What raifed the Englifti to that height 
 of power, from whence, in fpite of the faults of their 
 Minifters, Generals, and Negociators, they braved, 
 for fo many years, the force of the moft powerful 
 nations? Their commerce, and their credit; which-, 
 loaded as they were with an enormous debt, put 
 them in a flate to ufe all the efforts which nations, 
 the moil rich by their foil and population, could not 
 have done in a like cafe. 
 
 Thefe are the advantages which France, the world, 
 and humanity, owe to the American Revolution ; 
 -and when we conficler them, and add thofe we are 
 obliged to let remain in obfcurity, we are far from 
 'regretting the expences they occafioned us. 
 
 Were any thing to be regretted, ought not it tc 
 vanifli at the appearance of the new and immenfe 
 coromerce which this revolution opemsto the French? 
 This is the moft important point at prefent for us,- - 
 -that on which we have the leaft information, which 
 confequently makes it more necefiary to gain all we 
 can upon the iubject} and fuch is the object of this 
 
2O INTRODUCTION 1 . 
 
 In what more favourable moment could it appear, 
 when every nation is in a ferment to extend its com 
 merce, feeks new information and fure principles? 
 The mind is incefTantly recalled in this book to the 
 
 nature of things, the iirft principle of commerce. 
 
 At a time when people, which an ancient rivality, 
 an antipathy, fo falfdy and unhappily called natu 
 ral, kept at a diflance one from the other, are in 
 clined to approach each other, and to extinguifhed 
 in the connexions of commerce the fire of difcord; 
 this work {hews that thefe rivalities mull be effaced 
 by the immenfity of the career which is opened to 
 all. At a time when all the parts of univerfal poli 
 cy are enlightened by the flambeau of philofophy, 
 even in governments which have hitherto profefTed 
 to be afraid of it, the author of this work has let flip 
 no opportunity of attacking falfe notions and abiifes 
 of. every kind. 
 
 Never was there a moment more favourable for 
 publishing ufeful truths. Every nation does not 
 only do homage to commerce, as to the vivifying 
 fpirit of fociety ; but they employ, in the examina 
 tion of all thefe connexions and a<ftinities, that lo 
 gic of facts, whofe ufe characterizes the end of the 
 prefent century, that art truly philofophical, of 
 confidering objects in their nature, and in their ne- 
 ceflary confequences: Never had well informed 
 men more contempt for thofe chimerical fy items 
 folely founded upon the fancies of pride, upon the 
 little conceptions of vanity, and upon the prefumpr 
 tion of the falfe political fcience, which has too long 
 balanced the deftiny of Slates. Never were fo many 
 men feen united by the fame defire of an univerfal 
 peace, and by the conviction of the misfortune and 
 inutility of hateful rivalities. ' At length it appears^ 
 that men perceive ihat the field of . induftry is infi 
 nite; that it is open to every ftate, whatever may be 
 its abfolute or relative pofitions; that all ftates may 
 
 thrive 
 
INTRODUCTION. Il 
 
 thrive- in it, provided that in each of them the fup- 
 port of individual liberty, and the prefervation of 
 property, be the principal end of legation. 
 
 This work ftill concurs with the patriotic views 
 which the fovereign of France rnanifefts at prefent: 
 he meditates important reformations. He directs 
 tnem towards the happinefs of the people; and con- 
 fults the moft refpeclable members of this people, 
 whom he wiflies to render happy, upon the means of 
 infuring the fuccefs of his good intentions. There 
 fore, could there be a. more propitious moment to 
 offer to the prefent arbitrators of the national prof- 
 perity, a work written with deliberation, on tli 
 means of eflablifhing a new commerce with a new 
 people, who unites to an extenfive foil, and proper 
 to nouriih an immenfe population, laws which are 
 the moil favourable to its rapid increafe? 
 
 At firft I had alone undertaken this work, de 
 pending on my own ftrength and laborious refearch- 
 es: I had collected all the fads, all the books, 
 all the proofs which could be certain guides to my 
 fteps; but I foon perceived the impoflibility of raif- 
 ing upon objects of commerce a folid and ufeful 
 theory, if it were not directed by the.ikill which 
 practice only can give, and pofTefled by a man 
 .whofe judgment had been long exercifed by reflec 
 tion, and whofe decided love of truth and the public 
 welfare had accuftomed to generalize his ideas. I 
 found this man, this co-operator, of whofe affiftance 
 I ftood in need, in a republican; to whom I am 
 united by a Similarity of ideas, as well as by the moft 
 tender attachment. I have permiffion to name him, 
 he confents to it: I have conquered his modefty 
 by the confederation of his intereft, and of the latv 
 which the particular circumftances of his fituation 
 impofes on him:! have perfuaded him, that the 
 beft means of deftroying calumny was to make 
 Jknown his principles and.qpinions on public matters. 
 
 It 
 
It is M. Claviere, a Genevefe, exiled without- any 
 "form from his country, by the military ariftocracy'; 
 which has fubftituted its illegel and definitive re- 
 eimen to the reafonable and legitimate influence of 
 a people, dilVmguifoed by their natural good under- 
 ftanding, their knowledge, and their more fimple 
 manners. What was his crime? That of having 
 defended the rights of thefe people, with a firmnefs-- 
 and ability, which the implacable hatred of his ene 
 mies atteft! This part does too much honour to 
 my friend, not to confine myfelf to defcribe him irt 
 this character, the only one which has ever been 
 productive of public good. 
 
 M. Claviere has, during his abode in France,, 
 given proofs of his knowledge in the philofophicai, 
 and political part of commerce. It is to his abode 
 among us that the public is indebted for fome nfeful 
 works on thefe abitraot- mutters ;. works, as remark- 
 able for their folidity of principle and truth of dif- 
 cuffion, as for the clearnefs and preci(ion of ideas ; 
 works, \vhofe fuccefs proves that minds may be led 
 to the contemplation of thefe matters, by fubftituN. 
 intf an exact and clear analyfis to the metaphyfical 
 and obfcure jargon which retrained them from it. 
 
 Finally, the prefent work will prove at once the 
 extent of his knowledge, and that of the fincere 
 philanthropy which animates him, even for the good 
 of a country, where a man lefs generous would fee 
 nothing, perhaps, but the origin and caufe of his- 
 misfortunes. Oh! how happy am I, to have it ia 
 my power to defend my friend again ft cowardly ca 
 lumniators, in putting him uncier the fafeguard of 
 his own talents and virtues! And is it not a facred 
 duty for me, as the calumny is public, to publiih: 
 the part he has taken in this work, wherein it is im- 
 poffible not to difcover the honeft man, in the mam 
 enlightened? the friend of mankind, in the propa 
 gation of the \vifeft maxims ? In the thinking phi-. 
 
13 
 
 lofcper, nccuftomed to a fevere logic, to purfue 
 the interefts of public good, whenever the light of 
 truth can clear up fome of its afpects ? This is not 
 a vague eulogium ; people will be convinced of it 
 in reading the two chapters which concern the prin 
 ciples of commerce; a great number of notes in 
 which he has had a part, and efpecially the article 
 of tobacco, which is entirely his own. In general, 
 he will be known in thofe new confiderations which 
 the commercial man of reflection only can fuggeft 
 to the philofophical politician. 
 
 The fame motive has guided us both in the com- 
 pofition and publication of this work. It was the 
 defire of being ufeful to France, to Free America, 
 to Humanity ; for nothing which pafTes in the United 
 States, neither ought to, nor can in future, be in 
 different to humanity. America has revenged it by 
 her revolution : me ought to enlighten it by her le- 
 giflation, and become a perpetual leflbn to all go 
 vernments, as a confolation to individuals. 
 
 It remains to rne now to fpeak of the fources to 
 which we have had recourle, in the order of this 
 work, &c. &c. 
 
 We have joined the information of intelligent per- 
 fons, whofe abode in America has given them an 
 opportunity of gaining information, to that with 
 which the public papers, the acls of Congrefs, of 
 different legiflatures, and the different works pub- 
 limed in the United States, have furnimed us. There 
 fore credit may be given to all the fads which we 
 advance. 
 
 In alfociating our ideas, we have flriven to give 
 them an uniformity: we have, above every thing, 
 endeavoured to exprefs them with that clearnefs 
 which is fo difficult to introduce into matters of com 
 merce and finance. The poverty of our language, 
 and the fingularity of new circumftances which we 
 had to defcribe, has fometrrnes led us to what is callec 
 C neology, 
 
*4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 neology. We muft create what we have not, ant! 
 of which we ftand in need, without giving ourfelves 
 any trouble about thofe grammarians, but triflingly 
 philofophical, whom Cicero describes thus in his 
 time : Ccntroverjies about ivords ferment thefe little Greek /, 
 mere defirous of contention than of truth.* 
 
 We have carefully avoided certain words much 
 ufed in vulgar politic 1 ?,, and which give a,nd perpe 
 tuate falfe ideas and deceitful, fyfterns. Such are 
 thefe expreflions ; powers Jill the, fir ft char after, have 
 the fir ft rank) the balance of trade, ths political balance 
 of Europe, &c. ,Thefe words, which ftir .up hatred 
 and jealoufy, ,are only, proper to feed petulant am 
 bition, and, -if I may nfe the.expreffion, to put the 
 policy of difturbance\\\ the place of. that happinefs. 
 Miniflers, .wearied of thefe words and. ideas, will at 
 tach a greater price to real glory, that of making 
 the people happy. 
 
 Many notes will be found in this work; we thought 
 it neceflary to give this form to all the ideas, which, 
 thrown into the. text, might have obfcured.the prin 
 cipal one. 
 
 A note relaxes the mind, 'in fufpending the chain 
 of the principal thoughts; it. excites curiofity, in 
 announcing a new point of view ; it forces the reader 
 to a certain degree of attention, in obliging him to 
 attach the note to the text, to reap any advantage 
 from his reading. 
 
 We have in thefe notes indicated, as often as it 
 has been poffible, the ideas -of reform which may be 
 iifeful to France. We have frequently quoted thr> 
 Englifh nation and government. .Let not our read 
 ers be furprifed at it. It is this nation which has 
 made mofl progrefs in the practice of fome good 
 principles of political economy. To what nation 
 in Europe can we better compare France? If a ri- 
 
 vaiity 
 
 * Verb) controverfia torqnet Graeculoi homines contention's 
 cupidiores quam veritaus. 
 
INTRODUCTION. t 5j 
 
 vality ought to exifl between them, is it not in that 
 which is good? Ought not we from that moment 
 to know all the good meafures taken in England? 
 Ought people to be difpkafed with us for mentioning 
 thefe meafures? The example of thofe who have 
 already quoted England has encouraged us. They 
 have naturalized in France, happy inftitutions, imi 
 tated from her rival. 
 
 If our criticifm appears fometimes roughly ex- 
 prefled, our readers will be fo good as to confider, 
 that friends to public welfare can but with difficulty 
 refrain from being moved by the afpecl of certain 
 abufes, and from differing the fentiment of indigna 
 tion which it excites in them to break forth. 
 
 Notwithstanding the numerous .precautions we 
 have taken to come at truth; notwithstanding the 
 extreme attention we have given to this work, error* 
 will undoubtedly be found in fome of the ftatemenrs, 
 and perhaps in the reafonings. Whether they be 
 publicly difcufTed, or that we are privately inform 
 ed of them, we (hall fee thefe refutations with plea- 
 fure; we (hall joyfully receive thefe obfervations, 
 and if they be well founded, we (hall be eager to re-' 
 tra&. This is but a ample eflay on an important 
 fubjecl.: It may become & good work by the aid of 
 z concourfe of lights. 
 
 PARIS, April i, 1787. 
 
 C 2 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 COMMERCE, &c. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of External Commerce; the circumjlanccs which lead to 
 it, and the Means of ajfuring it to a Nation. 
 
 VjOMMERCE fignifies an exchange of produc 
 tions, either by barter, er by reprefentative figns of 
 their value.. 
 
 External commerce is that carried on between two 
 r more nations. It fuppofes in them mutual wants, 
 and a furplus of productions correspondent thereto. 
 
 Nations, which nature or the force of things in 
 vites to a' commercial intercourfe, are thofe which 
 have that correfpondence of wants, and furpkis of 
 productions. 
 
 This familiarity enables them to trade together, 
 directly or indirectly ; a direct commerce is that which 
 exifts between two nations, without the intervention 
 of a third. 
 
 Commerce is indirect when one nation trades with 
 another by way of a third. This is the cafe of dates 
 which have no fea-ports, and yet wi.fli to exchange 
 their productions for thofe of the Indies. 
 
 That nation, which having it in its power to carry 
 
 on a direct commerce with another, yet makes ufe 
 
 pf an intermediate one, is neceflajrily obliged to di- 
 
 C vide 
 
l8 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 Vfdc its profits. However, this difad vantage may 
 fometimes be compenfated by other confiderations. 
 
 Such, for inftance, is the cafe of a nation which, 
 in want of huibandmen and manufacturers, prefers 
 that ftrangers ihould themfelves come in fearch of its 
 fuperfluities, and bring in exchange thofe of others: 
 its want of population impofes this law, and whilft 
 thefe considerations exift, it is both morally and phy- 
 fically better that its inhabitants fhould be employed 
 in cultivation, than become carriers of their own 
 national produftions, or of thofe of others. 
 
 It is impoffible that nations which already have 
 communications with each other, fhould be ignorant 
 of their mutual productions. Hence arifcs the defire 
 of acquiring them in thofe where they do "not exift. 
 Hence direct or indirect commerce, which is confe- 
 qnently the inevitable re'fult of the Hate of things. 
 
 From the fame principle, it is the interefl of each 
 nation to render its exterior commerce direft as foon 
 as pofiible, without doing an injury to its interior 
 trade. 
 
 Direct importations, not being fubject to the ex- 
 pences and ccmniifiions of agents, procure things at 
 a cheaper rate. 
 
 A moderate price is the fureft means of obtaining 
 ;n exterior commerce, the beft reafonfor preference, 
 and the guarantee of its continuation.* 
 
 The 
 
 "* It is vulgarly faid that a thing is dear when once it is above 
 the accuftonied price j and it is eftterned cheap the moment tnai 
 price is dhniniiiied. 
 
 By this it feems that the dearnefs of a thing is the compari- 
 fon of its fh*ed, with its ufual price. The la ft is determined 
 by five principal circumftances. ift. The coit of the raw rna- 
 teral. ad That of the wcrlcmanihip. 3d. The want the eon- 
 fuaser has of the thing. 4'h. The means he has of paying lor 
 it. ;th. The proportion of its quantity with the demand there 
 is for' it. Thefe circumflrances i.ncreafe or diminifl) the profit 
 cf the fcl'erj fometimes indeed they may prevent him fr^n fain- 
 ing at 1U Circumftaaccs which u.fluence the zucft aie fcarcity 
 
UNITED SPATES OF AMERICA. 19 
 
 The country which can produce and fell a thing 
 at the cheapeft rate, is that which unites the favour- 
 abVi advantages of that production, whether it be 
 with refpect to its quality, manufacture, or its low 
 rate of carriage. 
 
 The advantages which render commodities and 
 raw materials cheap, are a fertile foil, eafy of culti 
 vation, climate favourable to the production, a go 
 vernment which encourages induftry, and facili 
 tates carriage by the conftruction of public roads and 
 navigable canals; finally, a population not too nu 
 merous relative to the extent of country which of 
 fers itfelf to be cultivated.* 
 
 The fame circumftances are ftill more favourable 
 to the manufacture of things common, fimple, or 
 little charged with fafhion, if the raw material be a 
 natural production of the country, in plenty, and 
 eafy to be worked up; becaufe thefe manufactures 
 require but few hands, or are carried on at that lei- 
 
 iure 
 
 and abundance, expreffions by which the proportion between the 
 want and the quantity of productions are defignated. 
 
 If there be a furplus of them, they are naturally fold at a low- 
 price. Whence it appears, that nations having great quantities 
 of raw materials, various manufactures and a numerous popu 
 lation, are more particularly invited to an exterior and continued 
 commerce, becaufe they have it in their power to carry it on 
 upon better terms. 
 
 An article may be fold at a low price, and enrich him who 
 furnifhes it} as it may be fold dear, and ruin the leller. This 
 depends upon the relation there is between its value and the 
 means of its productions. Every nation difpofed to exterior 
 commerce, in whatfoever article it may be, ought therefore to 
 confider two things, the price at which it can afford fuch an ar 
 ticle, and that at which it is fold by rival nations : if it cannot 
 equal the laft, it ought to abandon that part of its trade. 
 
 * The fituation of the Unite d States proves the laft afTcrtion, 
 which rnay at firft fight appear paradoxical; things are cheap 
 there, becaufe population is not in proportion to the extent of 
 lands to be cultivated. In a good foil, a man may, by his la 
 bour, eafily fupply the confuinption cf ten men, or even more. 
 Thefe ten men may therefore be employed for exterior confump- 
 
O Otf THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 fure which agriculture affords. Nothing can equal 
 the cheapnefs of this workmanfliip, and in genera! 
 no induftry is more lucrative, or better fupportecton 
 eafy terms, than that which is employed in the in 
 tervals of repofe from cultivation : in that cafe cheap- 
 iiefs is neither the product nor the fign of mifery in 
 the manufacturer; it is, on the contrary, the proof 
 and confequence of his eafy circumftances.* 
 
 The ir.oft iieceffary conditions for manufacturing, 
 at a cheap rate, articles complicated, or extremely 
 fine and perfect, or which require the union of feve- 
 ral kinc's of workmanfliip, are a conflant and affidu- 
 ous application, and a numerous population ; one 
 hair of which mufl be at a diftance from the labours 
 of the field, and applied to manufacture alone. 
 
 Thefe manufactures ought, according to natural 
 order, to be the productions of an excefs of popula 
 tion only, which cannot give its induftry to agricul 
 ture or fimple manufactures; but in general they are 
 the refult of the gathering together of the poor and 
 ivretched in great cities. f 
 
 " Thefe 
 
 * Switzerland, and certain parts of Germany, offer a ftriking 
 example of this fadr. Merchandlfe is fabricated there, at a 
 lower rate than in any other country of Europ", by means of this 
 employment of leifure hours, and is capable of being tranf- 
 ported to diftant countries, without lofing its original advantage j 
 even acrofs great ftates, where nature, left to her own energy, 
 -would be ftill more favourable to the fame manufactures. 
 
 f- Thefe manufactures are crouded with individuals, who 
 having no property, or hope of conftant employ in the country, 
 or who are induced by the allurements of gain and luxury, run 
 into cities, and foon become obliged to fell their induftry at a 
 mean price, proportioned to the number of thofe who are in 
 want of employ. When cheapnefs of v/orkma-.fhipcoj.'.es from 
 this affiicYmg concurrence of the want of money in men without 
 employ, it is not a fign of profperity On the contrary, it is the 
 rtfult and proof of a bad focial organisation, of too unequal a 
 division of property, and confequently of an unjud distribution 
 of necefTary employments, which compels indultry to change, 
 from the fabrication of what is necftiTary and ufeful, to that 
 wiikb. is faaufiic, forced, and pernicious, Hence it ftJlows r 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 2J 
 
 Thefe ma an failures cannot furnifli their produc 
 tions bur with difficulty and uncertainty for exterior 
 commerce, when they are eftabiifhed and fupported 
 merely by forced means, fuch as prohibitions, ex- 
 clufive privileges, &c. by which natural obftacles r 
 not to be dcftroyed, are pretended to be combated. 
 Countries exempt from them prevail in the end, and 
 obtain a preference. 
 
 It fometimes happens, that obftacles can fed to 
 manufactures by dearnefs of provifions, burthenfome 
 imports, diftance from the raw material, and un- 
 ikilfulnefs, or fmall number of hands, are furmounted 
 by ingenuity, or the ufe of machines; which make 
 the work of one man equal to that of many, and 
 render a manufacture capable of fupporting the com 
 merce of populous countries, where fuch manoeu 
 vres and machines are not made ufe of, or known. 
 
 But thefe means are precarious, and fooner or later 
 give way to a more happy fituation, where climate, 
 foil, and government efpecially, concur in favouring, 
 without effort, all the activity and induftry of which 
 men are fufceptible.* 
 
 Thus, 
 
 that wretchednefi in any country is In proportion to tkis cheap- 
 nefs cf workmanfhip. 
 
 it equally evident from thefe reafonings, that new and well 
 ccnftituted ftates ought not to defire manufactures produced by 
 things fo badly arranged : they oughc not to be anxious about 
 th'.r.i tili the rate of population and excefs of ufeful labour na- 
 t-j.-iily incline induftry to apply itfelf to improve and carry them 
 or;. Thefe reafonings againft low priced workman/hip do not 
 hinder us from agreeing, that there is a real advantage in the means 
 of exterior commerce; and that in the adtual llate of things 
 manufacturing and commercial nations may perhaps be obliged 
 to feek for it, although it does not compensate the interior evil 
 by which it is produced. 
 
 * FAVOURING, in political economy, fignifies, for the moft 
 part, not to /hackle induftry with too many regulations j how 
 ever favourable certain of thefe may be, they reftrain it in fome 
 refpecl or other. Trade is never better encouraged than wheo 
 left to itfelf. 
 
fl:' ON THE COMMERCE OF THE' 
 
 Thus, in the final analyfis, the power of furnifh- 
 ing at a low price belongs inconteftably to cou&trie's 
 fo favoured, and they will obtain in all markets a 
 fure preference t& thofe to which nature has been 
 ]efs kind, let their induftry be ever To great, becauft 
 the fame induilry may always be added to natural 
 advantages. 
 
 Exterior commerce, more than any other, is in 
 timidated by fhackles, cuftoms, vifirs, chicaneries, 
 and procefles; by the manner of deciding thenij and 
 the felicitations and delays they bring on.- 
 
 The ftate which would favour fuch a commerce 
 fliould, in the -fir ft place, deftroy all thefe obftacies. 
 It is more ta its mterefl fo to do, as from exterior 
 commerce refults an augmentation, of the national 
 revenue. 
 
 All things equal, relative to the price of merchan- 
 d-ile, and to the facilities with which direct exterior 
 commerce can be carried on, it is more readily cfta- 
 blifned between two nations which have afimilsrity 
 of political and religious principles,! manners, cuf 
 toms, and efpecia'ly of language : thefe decifive 
 means of connexion cannot be combated but by 
 evident advantages from which there refults leis ex- 
 pence and more profit. Commercial people gene* 
 rally place profit at the head of every thing. 
 
 Nations not having thefe affinities between them, 
 ought, in. order to compenfate for their deficiency, 
 to .give great encouragements, and tolerate to the 
 
 utmrjft 
 
 -f- Religious confideracions had formerly a confidernMe influ 
 ence on civilized men, and on commerce. The. Catholic rled 
 i'rorn the I'roteftant, the Puritan fufpefted the (Quaker. A re~ 
 ciproc.;l hatred reigned between the feft?. To-day, mankind 
 bsin^ more enlightened, all fefts con.iected by commerce, and 
 experience having fliewn that probity has a! mo ft always b?n 
 independent of religion, it i? no more req'jir'*d ro k;iow wiie^ 
 ther a m^n goes to the temple, or to conferTion- It is aflced if 
 he fulfi.s liis engagements with honour. Yec tftris relation mull 
 i\\ll be counted amon^ commercial connexions. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 3 
 
 utmoft degree the religious and political opinions of 
 ftrangers, as well as their manners and cuftoms. 
 
 To obtain the preference in exterior commerce, 
 neither treaties, regulations, nor force muft be de 
 pended upon. Force has but a momentary effect. 
 It deftroys even that which it means to protect. 
 Treaties and regulations are ufelefs if the interefts 
 of two nations do not invite them to a mutual in- 
 tercourfe. They are ineffectual if that attraction 
 does not extft. Treaties, regulations, force, all yield 
 to the impulfe or nature of things.* 
 
 This force of things in commerce is but the refult 
 of the circumftances in which two nations are which 
 attract one towards the other, and oblige them to 
 enter into an alliance, rather than with any other 
 nation. Thefe terminate in their mutual intereft : 
 .it is therefore neceffary, in order to create a perpetual 
 commerce between two countries, to give each of 
 them a preponderating intereft fo to do. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 * FORCE OF THINGS. The poitical law which governs all, 
 in politics as in phyfics. There is a general force whofe action 
 is manifeft, which, in fpite of wars, treaties, end the manoeu 
 vres of cabinets, governs all everts, znd carries sway men and 
 nations in its courfe. It is this force of things which overturn 
 ed the Roman empire, when itftocd upon a bafis difproportioned 
 to its mate; which in the I4th century took from the ErgliiTi 
 one half of France, and inthsiSih, has taken from'them half 
 of the nevv world which delivoed Holland from the yoke of 
 Spain, an-1 S*\ved?'i from that of Denmark. It is this force 
 which deilroyexi the projeis of fuch conquerors as Charlemagne, 
 'Zengls, and Nhdir. They ran from place to place ; they de- 
 ftroyed mankind to build empires. Thefe empires died with 
 them. This force acts npon conrnerce as upon revolutions. It 
 is that which, by the difcov-ry of the Capf of Good Hope, be- 
 reaved the Venetians of thfir trade to; the Indies, and made it 
 p?.fs 0"er fnoceflively to the Port.Ujuc.fe, the Dutch, the Englifh, 
 and the French. Finally, ic is the f>rce of things which will 
 decide the gisa* ,que(Fion of the commerce of America. 
 
ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Of External Commerce, confidered in its Means of Ex~ 
 change^ and its Balance. 
 
 E are deceived in believing that commerce 
 cannot be eftablifhed between two nations without 
 gold or filver to balance their accounts. It will be 
 interefling to enter into.fome detail on this head, on 
 account of the deficiency of coin in the United States, 
 and the neceffity of reducing themfelves to the com 
 merce of exchange, being the two principal objec 
 tions ignorantly brought againft a trade with them.'* 
 It has been frequently aflerted that the balance wilt 
 be againft them ; that they can only offer an exchange 
 in merchandife. It is therefore neccflary to prove 
 that this great word, balance, is infigniflcant; that 
 
 a great 
 
 * The fcarcity of money in the United States of America 
 has been greatly exaggerated in France. It muft be fcarce in all 
 new ftates, where nothing fhackJes induftry, where fo many 
 things are to be created, and where s in every quarter, there are 
 iuch quantities of lands to be cleared. In order that money 
 /hould be plenty in this ftate of creation, mines would be necel- 
 fary ; and 'at the fame time a want of hands, end induftry clogged 
 whh impediments, ciicumftances much more unfavourable to 
 foreign commerce than the fcarcity of money in an active and 
 induftnous country. One fact feems to prove to us, that in in 
 dependent America money is found in the moft defirable pro 
 portion to population, at leaft by taking Europe for the term of 
 companion. Contrails cfteemed good, and of which the in- 
 (ereft is regularly paid, are fold there at the rate of fix percent. 
 per annum. Yet the clearing of lands rmift produce a much 
 grf a'er benefit ; why ihenisnotall the money (wallowed up? why 
 remains there enough of it to fulfil thefe contracts, which pro- 
 tluce no more than five cr fix per cent ? Js it not becaufe money 
 J8 not fo fcarce there as people in France imagine, where the 
 actual rtate of the Americans is confounded with the diRref? ii 
 which thry were when they combated for their liberty s 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 25 
 
 a. great commerce may be carried on without money, 
 and that one of exchange is the molt advantageous 
 of any. 
 
 When a nation pays with money the whole, or the 
 balance of its importations, it is faid the balance of 
 trade is againft it, by which a difadvantageous idea 
 of its pofition is meant to be given. This is a pre 
 judice eafy to be overturned, although entertained 
 by men celebrated for their knowledge. 
 
 In effect, whence comes to this country the gold 
 it pays? It is either from its mines, and in that cafe 
 it pays with one of its own productions; or it owes 
 it to artificers who exercife their functions in a fo 
 reign country, and even then it pays with a produc 
 tion which originates within its dominions. As long 
 as a nation pays another, directly or indirectly, with 
 its own productions, its pofition cannot be difad 
 vantageous. Therefore, the unfavourable word ba 
 lance, thus attached to the balance of an account 
 paid in money, offers no exact and nice idea of the 
 favourable or unfavourable (late of a nation. 
 
 Gold is alfo a merchandife; and it may be con 
 venient to one nation, according to its relations or 
 connexions with another, to pay with money, with 
 out its having, for that reafon, an unfavourable ba 
 lance againft it. 
 
 There is but one cafe wherein the balance againft 
 a nation can be declared; it is that when having ex- 
 haufted its money and treafures, it remains debtor to 
 another nation. But things could not remain long 
 in this ftate; fo wretched a foil, unequal to the con- 
 fumption and exchange of its inhabitants, would 
 foon be abandoned; this, however, cannot happen. 
 Importation prefently becomes in proportion to ex 
 portation; an equilibrium is eftablifhed, and the pre 
 tended unfavourable balance has not duration enough 
 to give a right of fuppofmg even its exiftence. 
 
 There is as little truth and juftice in faying a na- 
 D tion 
 
6 OK THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 tion has the balance of trade in its favour, wlien it 
 receives in money balances due to it upon the amount 
 of its exportations. This balance, exifting for a 
 certain time, would heap up fpecie in the country, 
 and at length render it very miferable. This has 
 never been the cafe; yet it would have happened if 
 this fyftem had the leaft foundation. 
 
 The circulation of money depends on too many 
 caufes, to deduce from its abundance a certain fign 
 of a favourable commercial balance; a thoufand 
 combinations and events, which have no relation to 
 that balance, draw money from abroad or fend it 
 there; and in general, continued and various motions 
 of commerce, the tables of exportation and impor 
 tation, according to which the fign of A favourable 
 or unfavourable balance is regulated, are too uncer 
 tain and defective for the purpofe, as well as for form 
 ing a judgment of the quantities of coin or riches 
 of a nation.* 
 
 Let 
 
 * I will give a ftnking example of the deficiency of thefe 
 calculations, of the estimation of a balance of trade, and of the 
 quantity of money. This example -will prove that political cal 
 culators negleft, or are ignorant of foreign events which over 
 turn their calculations. 
 
 M. Neckar wimed to inform himfdf (Chap. IX. Vol. 3d, 
 of his Treatife on the Adminiftrauon of Finance) what was 
 the fum brought to and prefer ved in Europe from 1763 to 1777* 
 He eftimates it at one thoufand eight hundred and fifty millions 
 of livres, according to the regifter of Liibon and Cadiz, com 
 prehending that even which er.tercd by contraband, and lie va 
 lues at three hundred millions of livres that which vvenc out of 
 Europe during the fame interval. 
 
 It will onh' be neccfTary to quote two or three authenticated 
 fais, to prove the infufnciency of this calculation founded upon 
 the regifters of Cuftom-houfes. 
 
 In fhting the fum of money entered into Europe, it does 
 not appear that M. Neckar takes account of the gold and fii- 
 ver, which the conqueft and poffdTion of Bengal by the Er?g. 
 lifli, and their eftabljfliments in tt.a Lad-Indies, have caufed 
 to pafs into this quarter of the world. But according to the 
 calculation of the fecret committee, appointed by the Parlia- 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 27 
 
 Let the tables for comparing the exportation and 
 
 importation of raw materials, and of manufactured 
 
 articles, beincreafed to what they may; let the great- 
 
 D2 eft 
 
 ment of England, to examine the ftate of English poiTeffions 
 in India, the fums drawn from Bengal from 1757 to 1771, 
 amount to 751,500,000 livres.(a) To what will it amount, 
 if there be added to it thofe drawn from the Carnatic and from 
 Oude, of which Nabobs have the lliadow only of the property, 
 from the revenue of ihe Northern Circars, from the theft com 
 mitted on the Emperor of Mogul, from 1771 to the prefent day, 
 of his twenty-fix millions, from the perpetual increafe of ter 
 ritories and revenues, from the fale made in 1773 or" the RohH- 
 las to the Nabob of Oude, which produced to the Engliih up- 
 wards cf fifty millions ?(b) 
 
 Finally, what will be the amount, if there be added to it the 
 enormous furns exported from the Indies by individuals, r/ho 
 have there enriched theaifelves ? The fortune of Lor' 1 Ciive 
 vyaa beyond calculation 5 that of Mr. Raftings, againtl whom 
 a profecution is now carrying on, is calculated at thirty or for 
 ty millions. Another Governor has, according to feveral well- 
 founded reports, recently paid upwards of two millions of livres 
 to filence his accufers. It is true that a part of thefe immenfe 
 riches have been emp'oyed to defray the expences incurred by 
 the English in guarding their poffeflions in India} that a more 
 confiderable one has been fent into Europe under the form of 
 merchandize; bui it cannot be denied that a third part has been 
 brought in gold and filver to our continent. What is the amount 
 of it? This is impoflible to ftate. But whatever it may be, 
 it renders the calculation of Mr. Neckar doubtful. Let thein- 
 exhauflible riches of the Indies be judged of by one fail, and 
 confequently the immenfe fource from which the Europeans 
 hive drawn them, and by another confequence, the money which 
 muft have come into Europe. Nadir Schah, who conquered 
 l>:::y in 1740, took from India about forty millions fterling.(c) 
 This money was circulated in Ferfia, and as that unhappy ftate 
 
 (n) The detail of this calculation is given In The Defcrjp- 
 tion of the Indies, Vol. I. p.gc 249. It is neceflary to take 
 notice here of an error crept into t!t,:C work, which is, that the 
 fum total Is thsre given in pounds feeding, inftead cf livres tour- 
 no-is. 
 
 (b) S?e MackSntoih's Voyage to the Eaft Indies, Vol. [, 
 p.ge 340. 
 
 fcc) See Mackintosh's Voyages, Vol. I. pjge 341. 
 
23 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 eft care and fidelity be employed to render them per 
 fect, the refult will never be more certain or cleci- 
 five: for as long as prohibitory laws, which are al 
 ways accompanied by illicit commerce, mail exift, 
 it will be impoflible to know and ilate exactly what 
 comes in and goes out;* and if there be a coun 
 try where no fuch laws exift, f are exact regifters of 
 
 the 
 
 is torn by cefpotifm and continual wars,(d) produces but little, 
 manufadtures nothing, and is confequent.iy cU-btor to exrericr 
 commerce, which comes a 1m oil entirely into Europe, it follows 
 that two-thirds cf the fums dcien from India by the freebooter 
 Nadir, have pafTcd over to the fame quarter. Thefe event-, 
 unnoticed by political calculator?, have certainly had great an<l 
 univerfal influence upon the fluctuation and circulation of mo 
 ney. That which makes it fuppofed that no metals come from 
 India, is the opinion that their importation is difadvantngeous. 
 But have the freebooters who haie pillaged that country for the 
 laft thirty yers calculated this difadvtntage ? They drive to 
 fee ure their thefts, and do not fpeculate like merchants : bulky 
 merchandize would betray them. 
 
 With rdpcd to the flated furns of money which pafs from 
 Europe cr 1m ia, there is the fame defect in the calculations of 
 Mr. Ncckar. He takes no notice of the events which obliged 
 the Engli/h to remit confiderabie fums to Inc'ia : for inftaflce, 
 the two wars againft the Marritas were prodigiously expenfive, 
 rh:tt aga'nft Hyder Aliy in 1769 was no: iefs f- 1 . A fingle con- 
 flagrution at Calcutta coil nearly twenty-four rrJliions of iivres, 
 which it was ncceffary to replace : yet thefe fums ara far from 
 balancing thofe which are exported from India. 
 
 (d) See Mr. Capper's Voyage, at the end cf that of Mackin- 
 tofh, Vol. II. page 454. 
 
 * This is a itrong objection maSe by the auverfaries of Lord 
 Sheffield, to which his Lord/hip his net fatisfaftorily replied. 
 
 Nothing can be more impofing than the tables of importa 
 tion and exportation, and of the balance of trade in Great- 
 Britain, published by Sir Charles Whitworth. Yet fee with 
 what fscility the Count de Mirabeau reduces to twenty mil 
 lions of iivres tournois, the ninety millions which Sir Charles 
 Whitwjrth eiVimates to be the annual balance of Englifh com 
 merce} and t:uft after this to cuftom-houfe calculations. See 
 Confiderations on the Order of Cincinnatus, in this volume. 
 
 j- Such a country does exiib. There are many States among 
 the new Republics of America, which regifter veffds as they 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 3$ 
 
 the exports and imports to be found in it? And if 
 they were, would it not be a conftraint which the 
 private interefts of merchants would frequently oblige 
 them to avoid? 
 
 Moreover, does it appear that, in thefe general 
 balances, which are iuppofed to be paid in money, 
 notice is taken of the operation of bankers, foreign 
 government, and thofe who go abroad, in export 
 ing the public fpecie.* Knowledge is deceitful which 
 is acquired from fuch coafequences. 
 
 But how appreciate how eftimate the increafe 
 of the riches and commerce of a nation? By its 
 population. If this fenfibly augments, if cafe and 
 the conveniencies of life become more general, if 
 the caufes of indigence in an increafing people be 
 feen to diminifh, or are confined to inability to work, 
 occasioned by accidental illnefles; it is evident, that 
 the revenues of that nation exceed its expences, and 
 that the balance of trade is in its favour; for if the 
 value of its exportation were inferior to that of its 
 D 3 importation, 
 
 enter, becaufe duties are paid on importations j but there arc 
 none on exportation. 
 
 * It is very probable there are a number of particular caufes 
 which infenfibly diminifh che quantity of coin in thofe nations 
 which have the balance of trade conftantly in their favour. 
 Werenofuch caufes to exiPc, the confequence would be that fuch 
 nations would be obliged to bury their gold and filver in the 
 earth, to prevent its falling into difuftr; yet neither of thefa 
 cafes happen. Therefore money neceflarily pafles from fuch 
 countries to others. 
 
 M. Cafaux has proved this to be true, with refpecl to Eng 
 land, ;n his Coifiderations on THE ME CH AN ISM OF SOCIETY. 
 He there explains, that if the calculations of Sir Charles Whit- 
 worth be true, England ought to polFefa at this moment about 
 four hundred thoufand miihons of iivres in g li and filver, as 
 the fole balance of her co nmerce from 1700 to 1775. Yet 
 It is certain that flie is far from having that enormous furn 
 She has not ev^n a fum in proportion to her population and 
 contingencies. She fiippl'.es that deficiency by an immenie cir- 
 dilation of iier bank-paper. 
 
5<3 ON THE COMMERCE OS THE 
 
 importation, a confiderable debt and impoverifnment 
 would foon be the confequences: and impoverish - 
 ment falls immediately upon population. It is there 
 fore by rational and well compofed tables upon this 
 fubject. only, that a minifter of found judgment, pro 
 found and extended in his plans, will be prevailed 
 upon to govern himfelf. It is by them he will judge 
 of the increafe and advantages of exterior commerce, 
 as well as of national riches. 
 
 He will be very cautious of decorating with this 
 title the amailing of gold and filver, and equally fo 
 of making it the token of riches, or of judging of 
 their extent by the quantity of thofe metals. All 
 fuch ideas are fordid, dangerous, and falfe; fordid, 
 becaufe they attach to this fign the reprefentation of 
 produclions, and confequently theextenfion of com 
 merce; dangerous, becaufe they accuftom men to 
 look upon gold as real riches, to neglect the thing 
 for its fhadow,* and make them Grangers to their 
 
 country ; 
 
 * Could gold and filver be preserved from adulteration and 
 the attempts of tyranny and ignorance, they would have a much 
 better title to be confidered as real richer. Gold being an uni- 
 vetfal agent, he who p. fFeffes it may emigrate to wherever he 
 pleafes, and take his gold with him. This metal is therefore 
 everv thing with nations unhappy enough to make arbitrary ex 
 ceptions to general maxims, upon which public credit is found 
 ed. But how dearly d- they pay for their ignorance of the ad 
 vantages of public credit ! How deaiU do governments them- 
 feivcs pay for their errors and outrages ! A5! their meafures arc 
 fcrced nature is liberal in vain } incefiantly errployed in re 
 pairing evils which continually prefent themfelves, /lie has not 
 time enough allowed hsr to add to our hsppinefs. When it was 
 faid that rmney had ro particular country, governments were 
 emphatically ;:oid, ;hat it was necefTary to do without great 
 quantities of it: it will n:'Vfr be rejected till the inerYimable ad 
 vantages refulting from a rcfpeit for public credit /hall be pto- 
 rerly kncwn. The lefs individuals love and heap up money, 
 the richer, more enlightened, snd better governed will a nation 
 be. To be r.tucheii to mcney, to hoard it up, is a fign of an 
 alarming crifis, of a deficiency of judgment and faith in admi- 
 j from whence cooies the proof of what has bcn faid 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 3! 
 
 country, ftlfe, becaufe that difplay of figures an 
 nounces the quantity only of money which conti 
 nually difappears; and which, when carried to a cer 
 tain degree, is of no farther confideration.* 
 
 Enquiries on the quantity of coin are like thofe 
 on the balance of trade. To eftablifli both one and 
 the other with fome degree of certainty, it is necef- 
 fary to affemble notions and details, of which the 
 elementary principles yanifh, or inceflantly vary.f 
 
 The 
 
 in the text, that ' a writer who extols gold as a fign of riches, 
 and recommends it to his fellow citizens, is deceived, or has a 
 bad idea of their lltuation.' In the laft cafe he would do much 
 better, if inftead of preaching this pernicious doctrine, he en 
 couraged government to give an immoveab'e liability to national 
 credit. 
 
 * It has not yet been remarked, that thoufands of millions 
 is a vague expreffion, and does not furniih a complete idea. The 
 imagination cannot exactly conceive for fuch a fum an employ 
 wlsjch would ferve as the meafure of its pswer and effect. It 
 is known what could be done with twenty or an hundred mil 
 lions of men, but it is not known what could be effected with 
 an hundred thoufand millions of crowns j yet they are heaped 
 upon paperto give an idea of power. 
 
 f In general, the mafs of gold or filver is divided into three 
 principal parts. The firft under the form of money, ferves 
 for daily and unavoidable expences. Each individual, as foon 
 as he is charged with the lupport of himfelf and family, rnufl 
 have at leaft fome pieces of money for daily exigencies, and 
 the payment of imports. To this muft be added that fum 
 which is referved for cafualties. This cuftom is morf or lefs 
 obferved in all countries, in proportion to the probability of dif- 
 artrous events. It is impoffibie to calculate this firil part. 
 It is however evident, that it ought to be in proportion to the 
 population, and to increafe with it} and that a decreafe of 
 populjtion would foon take place, were ma v individuals total 
 ly deprived of a pecuniary contingency fulTic!ent to procure them 
 fuch neceffaries as canno: be oifpenfed with, and which they 
 neither make nor receive themfelves. It appears alfo, that this 
 part of the coin remains ir\ the country by reafon of its con 
 tinued application ir; little fun, s to daily wants, and of the ab- 
 icmite ftagnation of that which is ial i up in referve. 
 
 The fee on d part is deftined, under th-. fame frm, to the 
 great operations of commerce. It is equally impoflibie to fix 
 
$2. ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 The nroceedings in theadminiftration of finances 
 are more ufeful and certain ; by laying afide the pomp 
 of falfc ricties, and by confidering gold and filver 
 in a point of view relative to their particular pro 
 perties. They fupply our wants as means of ex 
 change only; they are notes to the bearer, which 
 having every where the fajne value, are every where 
 negociable. Thus they are ambulatory; they pafs, 
 repafs, are accumulated or difperfed like the waves 
 of the fea, continually agitate/1 by fucceflive winds 
 
 blowing 
 
 its quantity, on account of an Infinity of combinations which 
 continually change and caufe thefc metals to pafs from one 
 country to another. Daily charges, cuftoms, &c. retain a part j 
 but thefe r.bje&s belong equally to cur firft divifion. 
 
 The third part contains uncoined gold and filver, under what 
 ever foim they may have: it is, like the fecond, fubjccl to 
 numbers of continual variations, which leave no fatisiactory 
 jTie-ir.s of determining its quantity. 
 
 To pretend to afcertain the quantity in the mafs, by pay- 
 nvents of uncertain commercial balances, and by the addition 
 of" fpecie produced from mints fince a new coinage has taken 
 place, is not a more certain means, becuufe it woulo be equal. 
 ly neceffary to obferve the continual acTion of commerce upon 
 thefe metals, under all their forms, and^oi" the combinations 
 it produces, which fucceffively arife from one another. In 
 thus eftimating money it is forgotten, that it is an unive-f.il 
 agent, which, by that character alone, muft neceffarily ch ge 
 its fituation perpetually; fince commerce has produced an af 
 finity among men, by w : ants, which they have cie^ued to t..em- 
 fe'ves, of their reciprocal productions. It is equally unob- 
 fervi.'', that different circumftance-. reduce gold to the ftatre 
 of an ingot j that conffquently-the fame piece may pafs ftveral 
 times urder the die in the courfe of a certain number of years. 
 This is a icflecYion which M. Neckar feems not. to have made 
 when he {rated the money exifling in France at to confiJerabie 
 a lum. Ic will be known when tne-tecoin^e of the old i.oui 
 is finsftied, what we ought to think of hi- calculations. But 
 the fuiii is far ihott of 957 millions, as e^ima.ed by that mi- 
 nifter. It is more than probable, that it will never amount to 
 niore th n T WO thirds of it. 
 
 At this momer,*, fourteen months aftT the arret for a new 
 coin-tge, it amouuts to no more than 550 millions, and every 
 thing indicates a rapid aexline. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 33 
 
 blowing from every point of the compafs. To un 
 dertake to make them ftationary, would be ftriving 
 to change their nature, to deprive them of that pro 
 perty from which they derive their value,: this ridi 
 culous enterprife is, notwithstanding, a confequence 
 of the fyftem whichcaufes them to be looked upon as 
 real treasures. Their disappearance is dreaded, arid yet 
 their circulation is clogged, and the mind lofes iight 
 of the ufe of the nroft fimplc and univerfal means 
 of creating r?al riches, witiiout which metals would 
 be ufelefs, and coniequentiy of no value.. 
 
 On the contrary, difdaining vulgar opinions, and 
 feeing nothing in gold and filver but the means of 
 exchange, but proper agents to facilitate it; the mind, 
 freed from the fear of the want of them as riches, con 
 ceives the idea of doing without them as agents, at 
 leaf! about man's perfon.* 1 What a vaft field is this 
 opened to induftry! Thefe metals are in that cafe 
 refer ved for the belt ufes towhich nations who obtain 
 
 then? 
 
 * It is aftonifiiing, that among fa many travellers who have 
 gone over the United States of America, not one of them has 
 given a t'efail of the manner of exchanging feveral neceiTaries 
 o/life; they are reciprocally furniflied in the country with what 
 they are in want of, without the interference of money. The 
 taylor, fhoe- make r, Sec. exeicife their profeffions in the houfe 
 of the hufoandman who has occafion for their commodities, 
 and who, for the moil pare, furnifhss materials, and pays for 
 the workman/nip in provisions, &c. 'I his kini of exchange 
 extends to nvnv objects; each of thefe people write clown what 
 they receive and give, and at the end of the year they clofe an 
 account confuting of an infinity of articles, with a very fmall 
 fum; this could not be effected in Europe, but with a great deal 
 of money. Thus it appears, that an eafy means of doing with* 
 out great fums of money is given to country people by inftruct- 
 ing them in writing and arithmetic; that confequently the 
 fovereign who fhould eftablifh fchools for the purpofe of teach, 
 ing this mod hecsfTary nrtand fcience, would create a confider- 
 able means of circulation without the ufe of coin, and thai 1 
 this expence, which feems to alarm fo many governments, is 
 in facl one of the moil lucrative fpeculations which the treafary 
 make. 
 
34 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 them from abroad can put them. They are fent out to 
 feek materials for mduftry, new commodities, and' 
 efpscially increafe the number of citizens; of every 
 fpecies of riches this is the moft fure and fruitful, 
 Thus, when gold is reduced to its exact value, that 
 its real ufe is known, the advantageous purpofes to 
 which it is proper, are more juftly calculated. It is 
 then perceived that paper credit may have the fame 
 properties as gold itfelf; and to fucceed in giving 
 them to it, nothing more is neceflary than to preferve 
 the moil inviolable refpect for the principles which 
 fupport public confidence; for upon what bafis refts 
 the value and general ufe of money, if it be not upon 
 the certitude that it will be received every where in 
 payment for things which men's wants may require, 
 becaufe of its conventional value? Why iljould a 
 paper which prefents the fame conventional value, 
 the fame cerii. folidity, be refufed in pay 
 
 ment? I wiii add more A more folid bafis than 
 gold and filver have, may be given to paper money :* 
 for we have no guarantee that the value of thefe me 
 tals will not be all at once diminifhed by the difcovery 
 of new and rich mines; we cannot calculate their 
 quantities concealed in the earth, and men incefiant- 
 ly rake up its bowels in fearch of them.f Therefore 
 in countries where precious metals are fcarce, but 
 where lands may be fnccefsfully cultivated, banks 
 ihould be formed, wl;ofe operations iliould chiefly 
 
 reft 
 
 * I fay paper money, without attaching to thi? exprefilon the 
 idea of constraint to receive it as fuch : this obligation dimi- 
 nifncs its value I would fay paper credit- if the word credit 
 did not feem to exclude its principal quality, that of being al 
 ways ftifceptible, and in an inftant of being convened into mo 
 ney without the leaft lofs. 
 
 f- Why fhould not difcoveries be made in other countries, 
 like that in the laft century by two fhepherds in Norway, oi' 
 the rich mines of Konfbfrg, wh^re very confiderabl? msiTea 
 of filver are found ? The King of Denmark ha? one of jCoib, 
 Heiht in his cabinet. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 3.5 
 
 reft upon title deeds and produ&ions depofited; in 
 a word, upon fuch objects only as gold and filver 
 fhouki reprefent.* 
 
 In countries where thefe metals are already in cir 
 culation, but are ftill foreign'produftions, eafy and 
 certain means Ihould be fought after to render ex 
 changes lefs dependent on the fecurity or abundance 
 of fpecie. Paper credit fhould be naturalized there, 
 becaufe its infallible effect is to double or treble the 
 quantity of current coin, and even to replace it en 
 tirely, where, as in England, public confidence has 
 never received a wound. Thefe obfervations might 
 be more extended if a treatife on the nature of hanks 
 and CaifTes d'Efcompte were in queftion. But this 
 is not my prefent object; I have confidered exterior 
 commerce in its means of exchange only, like metals 
 arid paper credit, and in its balance for the purpofe 
 of applying thefe principles to the relations and 
 commerce of France .and the United States: and 
 
 more 
 
 '* It is not true that much gold and filver are neceffary to 
 eftablifh banks, or create notes which may be thrown into cir 
 culation. A proof of the contrary ar ifes from facts continually 
 before our eyes. The multitude of bills of exchange which 
 circulate and crofs each other in every direction, have not all 
 of them, for origin and fecurity, a depofit of gold and filver. 
 Neither are they all paid when due with thefe metals. Com 
 merce produces an abundance of fuch papers, which falling due 
 on the fame day, are difcharged by each other without the in 
 tervention of fpecie, efpt-cially in cicies where public banks are 
 eftablifned to facilitate this kind of payment. Thefe are called 
 transfers, and the principal object of Caifies d'Efcomptes and 
 banks is to facilitate them Sy the payment of bills fallen due by 
 thofe which have ftill fome time to run. In fine, thefe Caifies 
 d'Efcomptes and banks, are themfdvcs caufes and finking proofs 
 of the little difficulty fhere is in fiip\iiy ! n^ 5 by confidence, the 
 places of gold and diver. Firft eftabli/hed by depofits in fpecie, 
 they foon circulate their notes for funs more confiderabie than 
 thofe dep. fited : and what furety is there for ihe payment of fuch 
 notes, if it be not by other Liils not due, which theCaifTea and 
 banks receive in exchange rr their own notes payable at fight, to 
 which public confidence gives the fame value as to gold and filver. 
 
36 ON THE COMMERCE OF THii 
 
 more efpecially to clear up fame difficulties to the 
 French, who feem to have a bad opinion of this 
 commercial intercourfe, on account of the want of 
 money in America, and to encourage the independent 
 Americans, who feem to dread the pretended incon- 
 veniencies arifing from its deficiency. 
 
 I think I have proved : 
 
 ift. That the balance of trade is but an infignifl- 
 cant word : that the balance paid in fpecie is no 
 proof of a difadvantageous commerce on the part of 
 the nation which pays it, nor advantageous to the 
 nation which receives it.* 
 
 ad. That the tables of that commercjal balance 
 defer ve no faith; and that the only method of efti- 
 mating the increafe of trade, is by the increafe of 
 population, -f- 
 
 3d. That 
 
 * Obfervewhata refpe&able author, well verfed in the matter, 
 and whom we ihili hereafter have occasion to quote, thinks of it. 
 
 *' Thefe commercial balances, calculated in different ftate:<, 
 K.rz pitiful 5 when I feeconfequences drawn from ridiculous and 
 laboured official accounts, MI FANNO DAL RISC CREPARE. 
 
 " To confider France and England only, the two principal 
 rmnufa&unrjg countries, and the molt commercial ones in the 
 world, what omifiions, negligences, double employs, errorj, 
 corruptions, nocturnal expeditions, duties evaded, and contra 
 band trade! The prodigious quantity of wool which is fent 
 from England is certainly not regiftered, no more than the filks, 
 gold laces, gauzes., blondee, cambrics, brandies, and many other 
 articles which are fraudulently introduced there. The fame in 
 France: no account can be taken of the imnnenfe quantities of 
 drapery, hofiery, and fznall hardware, which the Er.glifh fend in 
 exchange." Voy. en Italic, de M. Roland de la Palatiere. torn. 
 i. p. 352. 
 
 j- The errors in thefe pretended balances rruft be continually 
 infified upon : conlequencei dangerous to the people are fre 
 quently drawn ftom them. 
 
 Financiers who pillage the kingdom, fay to Princes on pre- 
 fenfing them thefe fallacious calculation?, " that things are in 
 a profperous way ; that commerce flourishes, that imports mny 
 be laid on, loans negociated., c^c. Th>'f" fophifrrts are A-.1i:c- 
 ing : let Princes acouftom themfelves to judge of public prof- 
 
VTTITED STATES OF AMfcMCA. 37 
 
 3d. That it is impoffible to judge exactly of the 
 quantity of money exifting in a country, and that all 
 calculations on that head are founded upon an un- 
 -certain and defective ban's, becaufe it is impoffible to 
 collect all their elementary principles. 
 
 4th. That metals are not real riches. 
 
 5th. That confidered as agents of exchange, it 
 would be more advantageous to fubftitute paper cre 
 dit in interior commerce, and to apply them to ufes 
 for which paper is unfit, to wit, all the purpofes of 
 exterior commerce. There refults from thefe de- 
 mcnftrations, that commerce may be begun between 
 two nations without the aid of money; that the 
 quantity a nation has of it to exchange for foreign 
 ; productions is in proportion to its confidential inte 
 rior eftabliihments, which advantageoufly fupply its 
 place. 
 
 In three words, a good foil, paper credit, and a 
 .government anxious to fupport it, are the true means 
 of opening the refources of a nation, of procuring 
 abundance of fpecie, as well as an extenfive exterior 
 commerce. 
 
 I have not confidered this commerce in its influ 
 ence upon the manners of the people; fucha difcuf- 
 fion would here be ufelefs, becaufe, whatever that 
 influence may be, exterior commerce is a forced ef 
 fect of the refpedtivc fituations of France and the 
 United States, as will hereafter be made appear. I 
 E examine 
 
 perity by population, and the general eafe of the people; let 
 them be eye-witnefles of this, and miftruft a momentary ap 
 pearance of profperity, which frequently covers profound mife- 
 ry, and they will not be fo often deceived. 
 
 A King of Sardinia paid a vifit to a part of Savoy, thenobi- 
 lity of which had been reprefented to him as being poor and mi- 
 -ferable: they came to 'him elegantly drelled in clothes of cere 
 mony, to make him their court. At this the King exprcffed 
 his furprifetooneof the gentleman, who faid to him, Sire, noul 
 faifons pour votre Majefte tout ce que nous devo-nsj mais nout 
 devons tout ce que nous faifons.' 
 
38 . ON THE COMMERCE OF Tflii 
 
 examine this matter as a. politician, not as a phiiofo- 
 pher, and I pray the reader not to forget the diftino 
 
 tion. 
 
 CHAPTER 111. 
 
 Application of the foregoing general Prin'apL's to the recipro 
 cal Commerce of France and the United States. 
 
 That France has every Means of procuring a great Commerce, 
 and thofe which muft affure it to her in the United States ; 
 that her Productions are proper for them; and that her parti 
 cular interior Circumftances oblige her to engage in this 
 Commerce. 
 
 HESE truths will not be contested when the fer 
 tility of the ioil of France fiiall be confidered, her 
 various and particular produ.&ions. and the tempe 
 rature of her climate, which favours thofe the moft 
 iimple and neceffary. 
 
 Thefe advantages conftantly afTure her workman- 
 fliip at a lower priue than thofe of nations endowed 
 with the fame activity, but which have not the ad 
 vantages of fuch favourable c i re um fiances. 
 
 Her manufactures are numerous, and her popu 
 lation is considerable in comparifon with that of moft 
 other nations. Yet thefe are far from the degree to 
 which they may be extended ; for in confidering 
 France, room for a more extenfive population is 
 foon difcovered, and an immenfity of means for a 
 great number of manufactures, which only wait for 
 the will of government to be eftablifhed. 
 
 What other nation has more activity ? more in- 
 duftry ? or unites tofo greata degree, all the advanta 
 ges of civilization, and the matter and means of the 
 moft varied and extenfive interior and exterior com 
 merce, independent of completion? What other 
 
 would 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 39 
 
 would have been able to refift, for fo long a time, 
 the chain of misfortunes, and repeated faults of 
 which ihe has been the viftim ? The force of her 
 conftitution,' rather than her apparent profperity, 
 ought to be calculated by this refinance. France is 
 not what me might and ought to be. There is no 
 doubt but me will become fo if (he opens her eyes to 
 her true interefts, if, unfhackiing her interior, fhe 
 does not neglect her exterior commerce, and parti 
 cularly that which the United States wifli to open 
 with her. The productions of her foil and induftry 
 are proper for them. She can export in exchange, 
 from independent America, the raw materials for 
 which me may have occafion. Thefe two countries 
 may therefore carry on a direft commerce of ex- 
 change between them, and fo much the more advan 
 tageous, as the raw materials, which muft conftitute 
 it, would coil them more in any other place. Thefe 
 truths will not be doubted when the double cata 
 logue of the refpective wants of France and the 
 United States, or of their importation and exporta 
 tion, mall have been examined. 
 
 Intelligent patriots are of opinion, that it cannot 
 be advantageous to France, in her prefent fituation, 
 to engage in the commerce of the United States. 
 They obferve, that her manufactures being inferior 
 to thofe of the Englifh, (lie will be worded in the 
 American markers ; they add, that inftead of en 
 couraging this commerce, government would per 
 haps act more wifely by preventing the interior abu- 
 fes which Hop the progrefs of cultivation and in- 
 duftry. 
 
 I am far from denying the neceffity there may be 
 of ftirring to reform fuch abufes, d to direct 'our 
 efforts to culture and the improvement of manufac 
 tures ; but it is eafy to demonftrate, that exterior 
 commerce will in a very fhort time infallibly bring 
 E 2 on 
 
40 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 on fuch a reform, and that France in her prefent 
 ftate is in the greateft need of this exterior trade. 
 
 Jr effc-ct, an active and induftrious nation, whofe 
 foil is fertile, ought always to have markets for the 
 ialeofits commodities to animate its induftry. Its 
 culture and manufactures would languifli if the li 
 mits of its confumption were perceived. It is even 
 neceflary that thefe markets mould be fuperabun- 
 dant; that one may fucceed the other, in cafe of un- 
 fufpected events, wnich might caufe a momentary 
 change in the ordinary courfe of things. 
 
 What caufe has thrown Ireland into fo continued 
 a ftate of languor, although one of thofe countries 
 the mod favoured by nature, and the beft fituated 
 lor exterior commerce, if it is not the deprivation of 
 that commerce? An emburraffing exuberance of 
 productions was feared : 'the cultivation of them was 
 prefentiy neglected, and this negligence increafed 
 wafte lands. This ifland would at length have of 
 fered a fpedacle of the moft deplorable mifery, of a- 
 complete depopulation, if, by a reflitution of the li 
 berty of commerce, an end had not been put to fo 
 cruel a discouragement winch chouked induftry, by 
 making it fear a want f markets for the vent of its 
 productions. 
 
 Let our patriots, therefore, ceafe to look upon fo 
 reign commerce as contrary to the reforms which are 
 to revive our interior trade : to encourage the firit 
 is not to profcribe the fecond, becaufe one cannot 
 fuccted without the other. But, on the contrary, the 
 feeds of activity are fown in the latter, by extending 
 the boundaries of confumption. 
 
 Alas ! is not France evidently in need of them? 
 Are not her magazines crouded with a fuperfluity 
 of the moft necefiary productions, for which ftie has 
 no market? Such as, amongft others, her wines and 
 brandies.* The United States offer to her an im- 
 
 mtnfe 
 
 * Such is the fi-tuation of Aunis and Saintonge plentiful 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 4! 
 
 menfe confu motion j why does flie refufe to fupply 
 them ? 
 
 Even if her wines and brandies were not in fiich 
 fuperfluity, it would be prejudicial not to fupport 
 the price of them by foreign conlumptions. The 
 greateft fcourge of induftry, nnd efpecially of manu 
 factures, is the low price of thofe liquors which are 
 feducing by their iirength. On this account prudent 
 manufacturers carefully avoid wine countries. It 
 would be fuperfluous to give a detail of their rea- 
 fons ; but certainly the politician, the moft jealous of 
 a free extention of individual enjoyments, will never 
 become an advocate for the indulgence of men in 
 thofe articles which deprive them of their faculties 
 and reafon. 
 
 France ought to defire the commerce of the United 
 States. She ought alfo to be anxious for it on ac 
 count of her manufactures, to employ her popula 
 tion which is in want of work. Confequently work- 
 manfliip is cheap; whence refults indigence, beg 
 gary, and ftrife.* Work and productions are in- 
 creafed by opening new markets. Thus, for exam 
 ple, vineyards will remain, which a want of con- 
 fumption would foon caufe to be deflroved; thou- 
 fr.nds of labourers,- who languifli, will be employ 
 ed; fociety will be increafed by thoufands of indivi 
 duals; more corn, more cloth, &c. will be neceffary: 
 hence an increafe of interior confumption and po 
 pulation. 
 
 E 3 When 
 
 vintages are there literally feared, and thefe provinces are at 
 this moment over-charged with wine, for which the. have no 
 exportation : the people are miferabie in the midft of abundance. 
 See Note, Chap. V. Seft. r. 
 
 * Means are everj c.iy fought to dimini/h and prevent crimes 
 Let property or t:rrp:oy Is ^iven to thoie who arc without 
 them: this is 'the tec ret It rnuft notwithstanding be agreed, 
 that property is prefer al)i to employ in workfhops ; under this 
 point of vie\\. commerce with the United State., in opening to 
 us a great market, will be a means of diminiihing mendicity 
 and vices in France. 
 
4^ OK THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 When we examine the queftion, if exterior com 
 merce be advantageous and necefiary to a nation; a 
 newly constituted ftate, whofe population is far from 
 being in proportion to its foil, where there is fpace 
 and property in land for every one, mu't be diftin- 
 gu idled from that which is ancient, rich in produc 
 tions as well as in men; or, to fpeak with more pre- 
 ciiion, a ftate where the unequal diftribution of pro 
 perty takes men from the fields, (huts them up in 
 cities, and proftitutes their faculties to the fancies of 
 the rich. 
 
 Certainly fuch a new ftate cannot increafe its fo 
 reign commerce before it has cleared great quantities 
 of lands, and is become confiderably peopled, and 
 has a furplus of men and productions. 
 
 Such a ftate, while neceiTary, will undoubtedly 
 follow this counfel. 
 
 But this counfel would be improper 'to another 
 ftate, which, advanced in its civilization, covered 
 with a population without property, having manu 
 factures and money in abundance; whofe induftry 
 and territorial riches wait for demands, and "whole 
 culture languifhes for want of markets. A foreign 
 Commerce is neceflary to this ftate to vivify it. 
 
 Such is the foliation of France; neither foil, ia- 
 duftry, activity, nor the thirft of gain, is there want 
 ing; other pernicious caufes flacken her interior 
 commerce. If the merchant has not a certainty of 
 markets, he does not buy nor give orders ; the ma 
 nufacturer employs fewer hands, has left, occafion 
 for the productions of the earth. Languor then de- 
 fcends from manufactures to cultivation, and dinri- 
 nifties population. 
 
 The reverfe will be the cafe in the fuppofition of 
 a vaft exterior commerce, and will lead to the im 
 provement even of our manufactures; for the ne- 
 cefiity of improving to obtain a preference will ob 
 lige manufacturers to ftudy the tafte of the Ameri 
 cans, 
 
UKITED STATUS OF AMERICA. 4$ 
 
 cans, and to conform themfelves to it, to vary the 
 productions of their induftry; and will oblige them 
 .not to relax, that they may not be furpafled by rivals. 
 
 It is here necefiary to make fome reflections on 
 the general inferiority found in our manufactures, 
 on comparing them with thofe of the Englifh. This 
 fact has furnifhecl Lord Sheffield with his principal 
 argument, to maintain that America will always 
 prefer the latter. It is neceflary to clear up this 
 point, which feems not to be well underitood. 
 
 Manufactures of luxury, of convcniency, and of 
 neceflity, muft be diflingu idled in a manner hereaf 
 ter pointed out. Lord Sheffield and all foreigners 
 agree, that France has the advantage in the firft clal's 
 of manufactures.* His Lordmip agrees even that 
 France makes finer cloths than thofe of England ;: 
 but with refpecl to manufactures of convenience, 
 or fuch as are intended for the confumption of the 
 people, we muft, in fpite of patriotifm, agree on 
 our part, that we are in many articles inferior to 
 the Englifti. This will appear by the fequel. It 
 would be ridiculous and even dangerous to flatter the 
 nation in this particular; the illufion would keep it 
 in a ft.ite of mediocrity. It is for a better conftituted 
 patriotifm to prove to the nation, that it may rife 
 above mediocrity, and to fhew it by what means 
 this is to be effected, Should any 'body wifh to 
 know the caufe of this double difference between 
 the French and Engliili manufactures, it is as fol 
 lows: 
 
 There 
 
 * Our manufactures of fiik have proportionably a fnuch 
 greacer fale abroad than that of our woollens. It is that, inde 
 pendent of tafte, or, if we will, of fafhion, which we pofTefs, 
 and which opens to us a great confumption, the ra>v material 
 is in a great meafure one of our own productions; an advantage 
 which puts it in our power to furmount many general inconve- 
 niencies, whofe effects are more fenflble upon our other articles 
 of exportation, fuch as woollens, the production of which ha 
 lefs relation with the manufacture. 
 
44 ON THE COMMERCE OF 
 
 There is in England a greater number of men, 
 among the people, in eafy circumftances, than in 
 France, and who are confequently in a fituation to 
 choofe and pay better for fucu articles as they like. 
 It is a known faft, that the common people of Eng 
 land, although loaded with taxes, are well clothed 
 and fed;* the rags of mifery are not found with the 
 poulle au /-o/.f ; The Englifn manufacturer having a 
 greater demand for articles of neceflity, and being 
 better paid for them, can make improvements in his 
 manufacture. 
 
 Should it be required to know from whence comes 
 the eafinefs of circumftances fo general in England, 
 independent of the foil and polition. and the advan 
 tages of that liberty which reigns there, ii refults 
 from the con fid era! ion attached to indnitry in the 
 opinion of the public; from the laws lure protection 
 accorded to every individual againft the agents of 
 government; and the haughtinefs and infolence, to 
 which they are naturally inclined (becaufe in men of 
 (lender education thefe are the effect of power,) be 
 ing 
 
 * The goodnefs of things manufactured is fo generally requi- 
 fite in England, that merchandizes deftirsed for exportation 
 are there dtftinguifhed from thofe for interior cmJumption. 
 There are great warehoufes wherein the iales are for exportation 
 only ; the ebjeft of others is interior conlumption. Peoj lc who 
 judge haftih conclude from hence, that thofe for expi rtation are 
 badly manuf^durwd. They aie deceived, the difference is in 
 the choice of materials. THE ENGLISHMAN SPARIS NO 
 THING FOR THAT WHICH HE coKsuMF.6. The workman* 
 fhip is the fame ; it would coft in general more to manufacturers 
 to have two forts of workmanflilp, a good and a bad ,ne, vha;i to 
 have one only which is gcod, and a manufacture eftab<iihed upon 
 a bad kind of workmanfhip would foon be dectied. A fhoe cicf- 
 tined to foreign commerce is at well made as another j but it 
 does not lafV fo long, becaufe the leather is not chofcn from the 
 bcft kind 5 and fo of the reft. 
 
 \ A memorable exprcfllon of Henry the fourth of France, 
 who, in a converfation \vilh his favourite Sully, faid, he hoped 
 to fee the time when the rocrefr of his fubjpfts would have it in 
 Uieir power to put a fcwi into the pot for their Sunday's dinner. 
 
tJNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 4^ 
 
 ing continually reprefled, and their being prevented 
 from trampling upon the citizen, who muft be obe 
 dient. He is obedient to the law, and not to him 
 who puts it in execution.* In fine, it is the confe- 
 quence of not blufhing to be a tradefman, artificer, 
 or workman, from father to fon. 
 
 In France there are individuals exceflively rich; 
 but the people are poor. The firft have it in their 
 power to pay extremely dear for articles of luxury 
 and fancy, which caufe an improvement of manu 
 factures of this kind. Finer cloths, as it has been 
 before obferred, "are to be found in France than in 
 England ; but their quantity is not great, becaufe there 
 is not an extcnfive demand for- thofe of the firft 
 quality. 
 
 On the other hand, the property of the people 
 being very inconfiderable, they pay badly, and the 
 confequence is, that things of convenieney or necef- 
 fity are badly manufactured for them. 
 
 I will not hereenter into the examination of caufes 
 which occafion fuch a ftate of things, nor of the 
 means of changing it. I will leave the difcuffion of 
 fuch means for another chapter; but the following 
 conclufions muft neceflarily be drawn from thefe 
 facts: the perfection of manufactures depends upon 
 the demand, and the demand upon the means of 
 payment. Now, becaufe the French have not thofe 
 means, they mult be fowght after in a foreign coun 
 try. 
 
 * THEE and THOU, as terms of contempt, are unknown In 
 England: SIR, is the general defignation of every individual. 
 A man aceufed of the greateit crimes, and who has the moft 
 miserable appearance, is never fpokcn to in the fingular num 
 ber when he is interrogated by his judges ; and as he becomes 
 an object of pity when he is convicted, decent appellations, ge 
 nerally in ufe, are not changed with refpeft to him. Can one 
 fuppofe that this refpeft for man is prejudicial to public prof- 
 peri ty ? Man is elevated by it; it gives him energy, and inclines 
 him to eafe. Contempt, which in other places is affected fc<f 
 th --.rieop^-, leads them to rnifery, and retains them in it. 
 
46 ON"' THE COMMERCE OF" TIT" 
 
 try. Increafe foreign demands for French manufac 
 tures, and they will be feen to improve very rapid 
 ly. This is the effect which the commerce of the 
 United States will produce in France. Thefe States 
 contain a people accuftomed to be well clothed, to 
 make ufe of well manufactured things only, and ca 
 pable of paying for good workmanmip by their pro 
 ductions. Charged with the furnifhing of articles 
 for American confumptioa, French manufacturers 
 will ftrive to outdo their rivals; and they can eafily 
 accomplilh this when Government Jliall bs willing. Na 
 ture has given them the means. They will become 
 fuperior in almoft every thing when once they (hall 
 no longer be obilinately counteracted. 
 
 Therefore, the commerce with the United States 
 will be the ca-ufe of improvement in French cultiva 
 tion and induftry. Confequently it is neceliary to 
 embrace and purfue it. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 That tie United States are obliged ly tlieir prefent Necef* 
 Jities and Circwnftances to engage in foreign Commerce. 
 
 OOME writers, among whom are found the cele 
 brated Dr. Price, and the Abbe Mably, have exhort 
 ed the independent Americans, if not to exclude ex 
 terior commerce entirely from their ports, at baft 
 to keep it within very contracted bounds. They 
 pretend, that the ruin of republicanifm in the United 
 States can happen only from exterior commerce; be- 
 caufe by great quantities of articles of luxury and a 
 frivolous tafte, that commerce would corrupt their 
 morals, and without pure morals a republic cannot 
 exift. 
 
: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 " Alas! what can the United States import from 
 " Europe, continues Dr. Price, except it be infec- 
 " tion? I avow it, cries the Doctor, I tremble in 
 44 thinking on the furor for exteriorcommerce, which 
 " is apparently going to turn the heads of the Ame- 
 " ricans. Every nation fpreads nets around the 
 " United States, and carelTes them, in order to gaiji 
 " a preference; but their intereft cautions them to 
 " beware of thefe feductions."* 
 
 I am far from contradicting, in its bajis, the opinion 
 of thefe politicians. Moreover, I think, with Dr. 
 Price, that the United States will one day be able to 
 produce every thing neceffary and convenient; but I 
 am alfo of opinion, that thefe two writers have con- 
 fidered. the independent Americans in a falfe point of 
 view; that they have not ftifikiently obfervedthe ftate 
 of their circumftances; in fine, that their circum fiances 
 and afiual tvanfs oblige them to have recourfe to foreign 
 commerce. This is a truth which I propofe to de 
 mon ftrate; for I will prove that the independent 
 Americans are in want of the necefiaries and con- 
 veniencies of life, and in fome itates, of luxuries, 
 and that their habits and nature, added to other cir- 
 cumflances, will always prevent their renouncing 
 them entirely. 
 
 I will prove, that having no manufactures, they 
 cannot themfe'.vec fnppJy thefe wants, and that they 
 can have no manufactures for a long time to come. 
 
 That although they already polTefTed them, they 
 ought to prefer to national ones thofe of exterior 
 commerce, and that they fliould rather invite Euro 
 peans 
 
 * Price's Obfervatlons, psge 76. See the Abbe M.- i .')!y, 
 what he lays of thefe obfervations, from page 140 to pa^e 163. 
 See alfo what the Count de Mirabeau h;>s added to the U-.f-r- 
 vations of Dr. Price, in h';s Reflections printed at the end of 
 his tranflation of ihis.wo-k, page 319. London edition, 1785. 
 
 He has, as a fevere philofopher, treated on exterior com 
 merce, and made abflraftion of the acluul fituation of the 
 Americans. 
 
4$ X5N THE COMMERCE OF THIS 
 
 peans to their ports than frequent thofe of the Euro 
 pean ftates. 
 
 Finally, that by the fame reafon which makes it 
 impoffible to exclude exterior commerce, in cafe of 
 wants which alone it can fupply, it is equally fo to 
 fix its boundaries. 
 
 When the nature of man is attentively confidered, 
 it is feen that it inceflantly difpofes him to render 
 his life agreeable. If he has a property, he ftrives 
 to improve it; if the foil he cultivates be fruitful, 
 and demands but little in advance, the defire of in- 
 creating his enjoyments Simulates him to torture his 
 land to draw from it its various productions. One 
 idea put in practice gives birth to another; one want 
 fatisfied creates a fecond, to have the pleafure of fa- 
 tisfy ing this alfo. Such is the nature of man ; his 
 activity, which leads him fromdefires to enjoyments, 
 from one change to another, is the fource of what 
 are called manufactures. A manufacture is but the 
 means of giving to a production of the earth, a form 
 which adds to it a new degree of agreeablenefs and 
 utility. Want and defire of manufactures are there 
 fore in the nature of man; fo that if we fuppofed 
 Europe entirely annihilated, manufactures would 
 loon rife up in America, becaufe each individual 
 ftrives to render his exiftence agreeable by means the 
 moft fpeedy and efficacious.'* 
 
 Manufactures, 
 
 * Perhaps the character and life of favages, who are fup- 
 pofed to have no manufactures among them, will be oppofed to 
 thefe reafonings? Men are deceived in judging thereby j for 
 thefe people, which we lock upon as only one degree removed 
 from a ftate of nature, work up and manufacture the earih's 
 productions.. Thus from their corn, before it is ripe, they ex 
 tract a gelatinous juice, with v. hich they make palatable cakes. 
 Therefore, before the arrival of Europeans, they knew how to 
 make fermented liquors, tools, utenfiis, arms, ornaments, &c. 
 They confined themfelves to thefe ; hunting took them from a 
 fedentary life, and did not give them time enough to extend their 
 Ideas. 
 
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 49 
 
 Manufactures, like the wants of civilized men, 
 may (as was obferved in the laft chapter) be divided 
 into three clafTes: ift. thole of neceffity; 2d. thofe 
 K)f convenience; ^d. thofe of fancy or luxury. Food, 
 .and the natural exigencies of mankind, are compre* 
 bended in the firfl clafs. 
 
 It is from the wants of convenience efpecially, 
 that manufactures have their origin. Without doubtj 
 ikins of (beep were fufficient to defend men from 
 the feverities of cold; a cabin or a hut from the in 
 tern perature of the atmofphere; but man- is no fooner 
 prefer ved from one evil than he feeks to get rid of 
 another. Skins are infufceptible of being well join 
 ed together; ufe makes them hard; a cabin is frequent 
 ly thrown down, is confined and fmoaky; whence 
 arife the wants of conveniency, which are transform 
 ed into enjoyments, whole accuftomed ufe changes 
 them into neceffities. 
 
 When man has every convenience, he then thinks 
 of ornament. Hence the wants-of luxury ; they are 
 entirely in the imagination, and procure imaginary 
 pleafures only. Therefore to wear any laced clothes, 
 or drink coffee out of a china rather than a delfen 
 cup, is a want created by luxury or fancy. 
 
 The nature of thcfe three kinds of want being 
 pointed out, it is neceflary to know what thofe of the 
 Americans are. They have the two iirft of them. 
 Their habitudes contracted in their infancy from 
 European emigrants, and their commerce with the 
 Englifh, have accuftomed them to the kind of life and 
 F tafte 
 
 The paftoral life of the Arabians has concluded them one or 
 two degrees farther in the art of manufacturing, becaufe that 
 kind of life affords greater leifure, and gives more uniform and 
 conftarnt produ&ions. Thofe (hepherds, whofe riches confift but 
 in their flocks, and who Jive on milk a{one, and are clothed 
 with their wool only, have a paflionate dcilre for coffee, fherbet, 
 and ftigar. The defire of increafing their enjoyments is the 
 caufe. Let it 'be therefore agreed, that m^n by his nature if 
 inclined to enjoyment, and confeguentiy to manufactures. 
 
^O ON THE COMMERCE OF THt 
 
 talle of the latter, and It is well known that Englifh 
 induftry has been particularly directed to ueceflary 
 and ufcful arts. 
 
 The independent Americans, at leaft thole who 
 inhabit great maritime cities, have borrowed from the 
 Englifh a tafte for luxuries; they feek for gauzes, 
 blond lace, lilks, &c. It is however with pleafure I 
 obferve, that if this tafte of modes has inferred Lon 
 don within thefe few years, its ravages have not been 
 extended with the fame rapidity in the United States 
 as in Europe Their fituation, auftere religion, 
 morals, and ancient habits, their rural or marine life, 
 prevent their feeking after elegance and drefs, and 
 keep them from oftentation and voluptuoufnefs. Al 
 though they may perhaps be changed a few degrees, 
 the evil is not yet fenfible, at leaft in the Northern 
 States * Therefore our obfervations ought princi 
 pally to reft upon the two firft clafTes of wants. Now 
 it is impoffible that the Americans fhould ever re 
 nounce them; they will be perpetually led and at 
 tached to them by their nature and habitudes, and 
 by the manner in whicii their population is in- 
 creafed. 
 
 By their nature, becaufe they are men; and it has 
 been proved, that man is endowed with that activity 
 \vhich perpetually difpofes him to add to his enjoy 
 ments. 
 
 By their habitudes, becaufe, as it has been ob- 
 ferved, they contracted that of all thofe wants; and 
 it is well known, that a tafte for pleafure is not to be 
 exterminated when rooted by habitude. How can 
 it be required of man to deprive himfelf of wine and 
 
 liquors 
 
 * Luxury Is certa'nly to be found in Virginia; and when we 
 fpeak of luxury with rrfpeft to free America, it is neceffary t 
 diftinguifli carefully the Southern f.-on. the Northern States} 
 cities from the country ; maritime cities from interior oner. By 
 thefe diftinctions many contrarieties in the account! of fuperficiaJ 
 tjraveliers may be explained. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I 
 
 liquors to which he is accuftomed, and in which he 
 places a part of his enjoyments, except we would 
 render him unhappy ? I will not quote hermits, iick 
 perfons, or philosophers, who have had that empire 
 over themfelves; but let not a like prodigy be expect 
 ed in a whole nation. An aflbciation of three mil 
 lions of philofophers has not yet been, nor will be 
 feen to confine themfelves to- the regimen of Pytha 
 goras,* or the diet of Cornaro, 
 
 The fevere facrifke of tea, which the independent 
 Americans made at the beginning of the war, will 
 perhaps be alfo quoted. The enthufiafm of liberty 
 and influence of example were able, during iome 
 time, to overcome their habitudes;! as religious en 
 thufiafm has combated, fometimes fuccefsfuily, the 
 paffions of an hermit. But there is no caufe power 
 ful enough to produce a like effe6l > except in the 
 crifis which makes the facrifice necefTary and eafy. 
 The reafon of the dependence in which the Ameri 
 cans would put themfeives with refpecl: to the Eu 
 ropeans, and the fear of diftant corruption, are mo 
 tives too feeble to carry men to that point of heroifm! 
 It is not fufficiently demonftrated to them that they 
 cannot drink wine from Madeira without being 
 fome day corrupted by it, and without preparing 
 the way for great calamities. 
 
 The manner in which population is renewed and 
 F a increafed 
 
 * It is not that we ought not to b-lleve that one of the great 
 means of regenerating the old people of the Continent, and of 
 fupporting republicanifm in the United States, would be to give 
 to children fuch an education as Pythagoras exertifed at Croto- 
 na. -SEE THE LIFE OF PVIHAGORAS. 
 
 f It is afTured that abftinence from tea was not every where 
 faithfully obferved, which appears very probable on reflecting 
 that there was a party which fain would have violated it. 1 
 have known federal perfons whom the deprivation of tea had 
 made ill for a long time, although they had tr'ed illufive means, 
 by fubftituting the infufioa of agreeable iito.ules for that of tb; 
 tea- leaf. 
 
4 OK THE' COMMERCE OF 
 
 increafcd in America, does not make it probable 
 that its inhabitants will ever be able to renounce the 
 want of European productions. 
 
 A prodigious number of individuals emigrate 
 every year from all parts of Europe to America, 
 who carry with them wants and inclinations which 
 they have from education and habit. If they find 
 them in America, they continue to gratify them; 
 if they are unknown there, they naturalife them, 
 and it is the firft thing they go about; for they do- 
 not fo much perceive the new pleafures they are go 
 ing to enjoy, as thofe of which they are deprived; 
 fo great is the force of our firft habits and cnftoms. 
 Remembrance, although frequently mixed with the 
 cruel idea of fervitude, abandons man in the grave 
 only. 
 
 According to this inclination, natural to all men, 
 let the immenfe variety of wants and appetites be 
 calculated -which are going to tranfplant themfelves 
 from Europe to the United States:; and let it be 
 judged, whether it be poifible to put bounds to or 
 deflroy them. 
 
 Tofucceed in this, it would not only be necef- 
 fary to fliut out foreign commerce from all the Ame 
 rican ports: American indnftry mult be circumfcrib- 
 ed, and the fource of their wants (lopped up; it would 
 be necefiary to imitate the Lacedemonian law, which 
 ordained that nothing fhould be worked up but with 
 the heavy hatchet, the more effectually to banifh the 
 luxury of elegant furniture. In a word, a miracle 
 muft be operated upon the Americans, to take from 
 them all remembrance of what they have been, of all 
 they have feen, frnelt, or tafted ; and the fame en 
 chantment muft deprive European emigrants of their 
 ideas; as it would be abfurd to hope fora like pro 
 digy, the. f wee of things, which drags the indepen 
 dent Americans into exterior commerce, muft be 
 
 fubmitted 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 53 
 
 fubmitted to.* All is reduced to two \yords : Ame 
 rica has wants, and Europe has manufactures. 
 
 In the United States Ibme of the inhabitants fill up 
 the leifure afforded by agriculture (in which the Eu 
 ropeans cannot hope to become their rivals) with an 
 attention to manufactures. And they have others 
 confined to the moil neceffary arts; connected with 
 cultivation, fimeries, and the conftruftion of vdlels, 
 But even thefe manu fa enures are but few in numbei, 
 and inefficient for the wants of the United States. 
 They are therefore obliged to have recourfe to Eu 
 rope. It is not that they neither have, nor can have 
 almofl all the raw materials employed in our own 
 manufactures. They have hemp, flax and cotton. f 
 
 But, if they had raw materials in plenty, they 
 ought to be advifed not to eftablifli manufactures; or, 
 to ipeak more juftly, manufactures could not be efta- 
 blijhed ; the nature of things ordains it Jo. Let us dif- 
 cufs this queftion, as it is an important one. 
 
 F 3 There 
 
 * It is with regret that I write this fa&, on considering ic 
 philofophically, but it appears to have been demonfirated poli 
 tically. No perfon wifhes more than I do to fee the United 
 States feparate themfelves from all the world, and in this (nua- 
 tion to find again the aufterity of the Spartan regimen, with 
 out its cruel principles of military difpofition. It would be a 
 fmart ftroke in politics j but this unhappily is no more than a 
 dream. 
 
 f The four Southern States gather great quantities of cot 
 ton. Their poor are clothed with it winter and fummer. Irt 
 winter they wear cotton fhirts, and -clothes of wool anc cotton 
 mixed. In fummer their fhirts art linen, and their outward 
 clothes of cotton. Women's drefs is entirely of cotton, and 
 made up by themfelves, women of the richeft clafs excepted ; 
 yet a woman of this clafs has a deal of cotton worked up iu 
 her houfe, and this caliico equals in beauty that of Europe. 
 Thofe from the South furni/h a deal of cotton to the States of 
 the North, which cannot grow it, the climate being too cold. 
 
 Theie is fcarcely any part of the United States without good 
 flour and faw mills. The Northern States have others for flat 
 tening iron. It is in the conduction of mills efpecially, that 
 the Americans diftinguifh themfelves, in varying theii employ 
 and utility, and in their diftribution* 
 
54 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 There are many reafons for men's engaging in a 
 new country in agriculture rather than in manufac 
 tures. There, where two individuals can ealily live 
 together, they marry, fays Montefquien. The la 
 bour of the field offers to them more means of living 
 together, of augmenting and f upper ting their fami 
 ly, than working at manufactures: in thefe the de 
 pendence of the workman, his precarious and 
 changeable fta*e, his moderate wages, and the high 
 price of provifions in cities, where moft manufac 
 tures are eftablifhed, put it out of his power to think 
 of having a companion; and if he has one, the prof- 
 peel: of mifery which fne muffc have before her eyes 
 after his death, impofes on him a law contrary to 
 propagation, to avoid the cruelty of caufing children 
 to be brought into the world only to be unhappy.* 
 
 In a new country where land is not dear, where it 
 requires not much in advance, or an expensive cul 
 tivation, and is at the fame time fruitful, the num 
 ber of little and happy families muft rapidly increafe. 
 What a difference in other refpecls from this pure 
 and fimple country life, where man is conftantly in 
 the prefence of nature, where his foul is elevated by 
 the fpectacle, where his phyfical principles continu 
 ally regenerate by a falubrious air, and in reviving 
 exercifes, where he lives in the midft of his relations 
 and friends, whom he makes happy : what a difference 
 from that to the life of manufacturers condemned 
 to vegetate in difmal prifons, where they refpire in 
 fection, and where their minds are abforbed, as well 
 as their lives abridged 1 This conduct alone ought to 
 
 decide 
 
 * Journeymen manufacturer?, and In general men in a ftate 
 of dependence, whofe fubfiftence is precarious, and who have 
 children, certainly love them lefs than the inhabitants of the 
 country who have a fraa!! property. The paternity is a bur- 
 then, and consequently often odious to the firftj their children 
 are ignorant of the foJ t carefles of paternal Jove. What kind o 
 generation muft arife froro fucii s. connection i 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 decide the Americans to reject the painful flate of 
 ma nu failures.* 
 
 Befides 
 
 * The idea of property Is one of the flrongeft ties by which 
 man Is attached to life, to his country, to virtue, and I will 
 add even to health. The fatisfaction of a manufacturer, who 
 at the end of the week has a guinea in his pocket, is far from 
 that of the little country proprietor, who is feldom pofTefTed of 
 fuch a fum; but who gathers in his own field every thing ne- 
 ceffary. He loves it, fees it always with pleafure, takes care 
 of its cultivation, and, by a confequence of this fofc difpofi- 
 tion, he attaches himfeif to the animals which aflift him in that 
 cultivation. 
 
 The labourer fees, as he works, the pofiibility of increafmg 
 the number of his childreuj and he has the pleafing hope of 
 leaving them after his death a little corner of earth wMch will 
 ke;p them from indigence. 
 
 The labourer is happy becaufe his contracts are with the 
 earth only, which give* liberally and difintereftedly, whilft the 
 intereft of the mafter who pays the manufacturer embitters the 
 wages which he receives. 
 
 The labourer is ft;ll happy, becaufe he Is only amongft his 
 equals; inequality is the fource of malice. The fuperior is 
 malicious to fupport his oppreflzon. The Have is vindictive to 
 deftroy and revenge it. 
 
 The labourer is amiable and generous, becaufe it would be 
 neceffary to abandon all cultivation, if there was not between, 
 hufoandmen a reciprocity of fervices and confidence. 
 
 Perhaps it would not be difficult to prove that health and 
 goodnefs are aiminiihed in proportion to the increafe of manu 
 factures, cities, property, and the defertion of rural life ; and 
 that vices and crimes are increafed in the fame proportion. 
 
 This is not the opinion of the fenfible and interefting author 
 of the Study of Nature : " When I was ac Mofcow," fays he, 
 (Vol. III.) f{ an old Genevois, who was in that city, in the 
 ' time of Peter I. told me, thatfmce different means of fub- 
 <( fiftence had been opened to the people by the eilabii/hmentof 
 *' manufactures and commerce, feditions, affaifinations, rob- 
 ft beries, and incendiariesjhad been lefs frequent than formerly." 
 But this would not have exifted, and there would have been 
 the fame public and private virtue, if mftead of making the 
 Ruffians manufacturers, they had been made proprietors of 
 lands. Hufbandmen are honeft peopie, fays JVf. de St. Perre 
 himfeif. And workihops, as I have iuftobferved, do not offer 
 that neceffity of reciprocal fervice which gives the habitude of 
 goodnefs j they prefeut intereft itruggling againft intereft, rich 
 
6 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 Befides there will be, for a confiderable time to 
 come, more to be gained in the United States, by the 
 earth, which yields abundantly, than by manufac 
 tures and man places himitif in that iituation where 
 the greatefiand moft fpeedy gain is to be acquired. 
 
 As population mud, for many ages, be difpropor- 
 tioned to the extent of the United States, land will 
 be cheap there during the fame length of time,* and 
 eonfequently the inhabitants will for a long time be 
 cultivators. 
 
 Thofe whom ambition, thiril of gain, or igno 
 rance, ihould incline to eftablifh manufactures, will, 
 from that moment, be difbanded from it by the dear- 
 nefs of workmanfhip. This dearnefs is already very 
 
 confider- 
 
 and indolent Cupidity driving to cheat active indigence. If 
 workshops do not make men rafcals, they difpofe them to be 
 come fo} they make them egotifts, infenfible, uncouth, and 
 bad fathers. 
 
 Therefore, the fact quoted by this author does not prove, 
 that to prevent crimes, it is neceffary to eftablifh manufac 
 tures} but that it is better to have manufactures peopled with 
 degraded workmen, than forefls with banditti j it ii a leffer 
 evil, but it isftill an evil. 
 
 I * An idea of the price of lands in the United States, may 
 be formed from the following article taken from the Gazette of 
 Philadelphia, of gth of December, 1784: " Obferve that the 
 *' ground of Pennfylvania begins to be dear, and that the inha- 
 11 bitants begin to emigrate to Kentucky." By this advertife- 
 mcnt there are offered to file, " 25,000 acres of land, fituated 
 '* in the county of Northampton, State of Pennfylvani?, upon 
 " the Delaware. A public road, a navigable river, fertile foil, 
 ** excellent for culture meadows places for mills great fo- 
 " refts plenty of fifh-ponds, &c. at half a guinea an acre. 
 
 " Another quantity of 25,000 acres, upon the Sufquehannah, 
 '* with equal and even greater advantages, at the fame price. 
 *' Good title deeds, facilities of payment. A referve of three 
 '* hundred acres only will be required in each diftricl for the 
 '* maintenance of the clergyman of the parifh ; one hundred 
 "guineas when there fhall be fifty farnilie?, to build a parfonage 
 " houfe ten guineas a year for five years, and provifion fer 
 " the 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 7 
 
 confiderable,* and may become {till more fo, as the 
 caufe which occasions it muit naturally become more 
 extended. 
 
 What is the catife? It has already been intimated 
 fo as to be fore fee n. 
 
 Cities are built in all quarters ;f lands are cleared 
 and efhblifhments made every wliere. In the ilate 
 of Kentucky, for inffonce, where, in 1771, there 
 were fcarcely one hundred inhabitants, there are now 
 nearly thirty thoufand; and thefe men have emigrat 
 ed from inhabited courts or countries. Thus hands 
 are taken from the commerce and agriculture of thefo 
 laft, which is confequently the caufe of the increaf- 
 ed price of workmanship. 
 
 From this dearnefs it has been concluded in Eu 
 rope, that the people in America were wretched; a 
 contrary conclufion ought to have been drawn. 
 Wherever workmen govern; wherever they are paid 
 a high price, the people are neceflarily happy; for 
 if '; of them that the various claiTes of workmen are 
 competed. 
 
 On the contrary, wherever workmanftiip is at a 
 low price, the people are wretched; for this cheap- 
 nefs proves that there are more workmen than there 
 is work to execute, more want of employ than can 
 be fupplied. This is what the rich denre, that they 
 may govern the workmen, and buy the fweat of their 
 brows at the loweft rate poflible.J 
 
 It 
 
 * Three, four and five llvres are frequently paid in the cities 
 of the United States for the day's work of a carpenter, black- 
 fmith, &c. 
 
 f This Is a great evil, as will be hereafter proved, and 
 \vbich will contribute more than any olher to the ruin of re 
 publican fpirit. 
 
 J To be convinced of this truth, look at England and France $ 
 workmanihip is very dear in London but cheap in Paris. The 
 workman in London is well fed, clothed and paid j in Paris he 
 is quite the contrary. 
 
 " It frequently happens," faid an American one day to me, 
 4< that I meet in the United States a ploughman, conducting his 
 
5 ON THE COMNfERCE OF THE 
 
 It is the reverfe in America, the workman gives' 
 the law, and fo much the. better, he receives it too 
 often every where elfe. 
 
 This dearnefs of workmanfhip is prejudicial to 
 manufactures, and ftill fo much the better. Thefe 
 eftablifhments are fo many tombs which fwallow up 
 generations entire.* Agriculture, on the contrary, 
 perpetually increafes population. 
 
 By preventing, or at leaf! retarding the rife of ma 
 nufactures within their provinces, the Americans 
 will flop the decadency of morals and public fpirit :. 
 for if manufactures bring gold into the Slates, they 
 bring at the fame time a poifon which undermines 
 them. They refemble a number of individuals whofe 
 mature and morals are at once corrupted : they form 
 and aceuflom men to fervitude, and give in a repub 
 lic a preponderance to ariftocrstical principles, and 
 by accumulating riches in a fmali number of hands, 
 they caufe republics to incline to ariftocracy. 
 
 Therefore the independent Americans will *> 
 wifely to leave to Europe the care of manufacturing 
 for them, becaufe fhe is irrefiftibly dragged into ma 
 nufactures; and as their population and confumption 
 mufl rapidly increafe, it is not impofiible that Eu 
 rope ir.ay one day confine herfelf to this kind of oc 
 cupation, and that America may one day become 
 Ler ftorehoufe of grain and raw materials, of which 
 file will not be in need. In this cafe nothing will 
 
 be 
 
 <l plough and horfes, and eating a wing of a turkey and a piece 
 tf of good white bread. I have feen," added he, " a v-ifiei arr'.ve 
 *' at New-York, full or" Scotchmen, not one of whom was un- 
 i( employed the next day." 
 
 -' There are feveral manufactures at Am'ent, and it is re- 
 mavked, that the hofpitals are more fried with r .iaufac 
 than with mafons or other like artizan. c . /. manufaufVuring 
 life makes more people ill and their ccmpl-ints rn.ite dangerous j 
 jt is bccaufe thi; kind of workmen becomes * jched, 
 
 and g->ei fooner to the ru %'tal, being moftl) l~ : , Uhoui 
 
 srjy coau'-rtic attachment. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 59 
 
 be feen in Europe but cities and vvorkftiops; in inde 
 pendent America nothing but fields well cultivated. 
 I will leave it to be decided which country would 
 have the moil happy fate. 
 
 Under the fame point of view, the independent 
 Americans will ftiil aft wifely by leaving it to the 
 Europeans to furniih them with nece(Tary articles ; 
 and in feldom frequenting the cities and fea-por r s of 
 the ancient co-innent. In effect, an European 
 tnmfpcrted to independent America is in the pro 
 portion of one to one hundred, and forr.etimes to a 
 thoufand. H!s example has therefore but very little 
 influence ; the luxury of which he makes a parade 
 in palling by, excites le r s consideration or refpedt 
 than contempt and ridicule. If he leaves a remem 
 brance of himfelf, it is foon effaced by the general 
 motion : there are, moreover, fome Europeans, 
 who, ftruck and edified by the manners and cuf- 
 toms of free America, have good fenfe enough to 
 -refpeft and conform themfelves to them. 
 
 It is the reverie when an American goes on fhore 
 in Europe, almoft alone, with his fimplicity of man 
 ners in the midft of a vortex of men who efteem the 
 eclat of exterior appearance only; who, agitated and 
 led by the general ton, facrifice every thing to the 
 furor of making a great figure by the brilliance of 
 drefs, equipage, and pomp: this American muft at 
 hrft be torn down and tormented, becaufe he finds 
 himfelf thrown into a circle of habitudes contrary 
 to his own. Afterwards he becomes familiarifed by 
 little and little, and if he does not quite get a tafle 
 for them, at leaft his attachment to a fimplicity of 
 life and manners is neceflarily weakened. Carrying 
 back with him to his own country this difpofition of 
 rnind, he introduces it infenfibly into the minds of 
 thofe who are about him, upon which it has fome in 
 fluence upon the minds of his children and friends. 
 Their tafte for fimplicity becomes lukewarm by his 
 
 exampla> 
 
<O ON THE COMMERCE OP TUB 
 
 example, and the following age lees public virtues 
 fall into indifference. 
 
 It will belefs dangerous to the public fpirit of the 
 independent Americans to admit the Europeans into 
 the United States, than to go themfelves into Europe^ 
 from which it refults that it would be very impolitic 
 to encourage the former to become the carriers of 
 their exterior commerce. 
 
 I have infilled upon this reflection becaufe there 
 feems to have appeared in fome States a difpcfition 
 to give premiums for diftant navigation. They 
 ought to reflect, that they have but few hands, and 
 that as few as poffible fhould be taken from culture. 
 They are in the fituation I have fpoken of in my 
 principles of exterior commerce, where a nation 
 gains by making carriers of others having lefs foil or 
 employ. They fhould alfo recollect, that republi 
 can morals are better preferved in the bofom of agri 
 culture than upon the fea and in foreign voyages, 
 which give to men communications with other mo 
 rals and governments, 
 
 It is a general quefiion in the United States, by 
 what means it is poflible to put bounds to exterior 
 commerce, and flop the progrefs of luxury : flay at 
 home, cultivate, cultivate, I will repeat to them ; 
 this is the fecret whereby yow will prevent the in- 
 creafe of luxury; a fecret much preferable to fump- 
 tuary laws and prohibitory regulations, which fome 
 flates have it in contemplation to make. 
 
 There is no power great enough to fet, by regula 
 tions, fuch boundaries to exterior commerce as will 
 not be exceeded : to circumfcribe it, for inflance, to 
 merchandizes of convenience, without the importa 
 tion of thofe of luxury. The nature or force of 
 things only has fuch a power. That force has, as 
 has been before explained, the union of the natural 
 circumftancesof a nation ; thefe circum fiances alone 
 mark the limits of commerce. A nation which 
 
 cannot 
 
UNITED-STATES OF AMERICA, &T , 
 
 cannot pay for luxuries with its own production j* 
 does not purchafe them. The iuvage cm OIM pro- 
 cure with his furs, brandy, gunpowder, and woollen- 
 coverings ; tie buys neither filks nor laces. 
 
 If, therefore, the productions of the United States 
 be icarcely fufficient to pay for the importations of 
 necetfity and convenience from Europe, merchan-- 
 dizes of luxury will not be imported: if thefe be 
 carried to it, 'tis becaufe it can pay for them. There 
 is no merchant who likts to ruin himfelf. 
 
 If, on the contrary, the United States have pro- 
 duclions proper for the ancient continent, in quan- 
 titles fufficient to procure, by their exchange, not 
 only the mofl neceilary and convenient things, but 
 even thofe of 'luxury, nothing can hinder the latter 
 from being fooner or later imported, by means of 
 exterior commerce. 
 
 In truth, to increafe demands of this nature, the 
 public opinion, which before treated cpprobrioufly 
 a tafte for modes, m.ufl totally change, and the par 
 ticular opinions of certain feels equally yield to it. 
 
 But notwithstanding the powerful influence of 
 opinion upon merchandizes of luxury, the fate of 
 this kind of commerce will be more particularly de 
 termined by the flute of the independent Americans, 
 for when rich they will adopt them. This fact" will 
 appear certain, jf what has been faid on the natui-c 
 of the human heart be recollected, and its inclina 
 tion to improve man's fituation, and to increafe his 
 enjoyments. 
 
 Tafte for a rural life alone, if the Americans pre- 
 ferve it, will retard the progrefs of luxury, which 
 fprings up in cities, from fatiery, want of fometlring 
 to do, and from laffitude: employment prcferves the 
 country from thofe moral iiis. 
 
 There is one laft confederation, which ought to. 
 perfuade the independent Americans to employ 
 ihemfelves in cultivation, a'nd' reject both manufac- 
 G turea 
 
z ON THE COMMERCE OF TH* 
 
 tures and exterior tranfports ; which is, that in wifli- 
 ing to undertake every thing at once, the fcarcity of 
 money, necefTary at leaft for the mechanical part of 
 thefe operations, will always be more perceived, 
 whilft, by giving themfelves up entirely to cultiva 
 tion, they will procure from their foil productions 
 fufficient to pay for thefe manufactures from Europe, 
 and to make up for the fcarcity of coin.* 
 
 They appear to be alarmed at this; what has been 
 faid upon the fubjel of money ought to remove their 
 fears. It has been demonftrated that a nation may 
 carry on a very confiderable commerce without its 
 aid. It will hereafter be feen that the United States 
 produce many raw materials eflentially neceflary to 
 
 France, 
 
 * The independent Americans have but little money ; this 
 fcarcity arifes from two caufes } firft, from the kind of ccm- 
 inerce they heretofore carried on with England, and afterwards 
 from the ravages of a feven years war. As this commerce was 
 purely one of exchange, and that in certain dates, as Virginia, 
 the importations always furpafied the exportation?; the refult 
 was, that they could not but be debtois to England, and could 
 BOt draw money from that ifland. 
 
 It was a kind of commercial fervitude, which the EngM/h 
 looked upon as the pledge and guarantee of the dependence of 
 the Colonies upon the mother countryo 
 
 The money they had came from their illicit commerce with 
 tb>- Sugar Iflands and European powers. The war, afterwards, 
 by changing labouiers into f</!dieis, caufed apart of their lands 
 to remain without cultivation. -From that time exchanges in- 
 creafed and money decreafed, The little of it remaining In 
 America, came firft from money earned and expended there by 
 the Englifti and French armies, and afterwards by the loans ne- 
 goc'ated in Eu-ope by Corgrefs. 
 
 But it iseafy to conceive, after what has been faid upon the 
 quantity of coin, how a nation, which, by an extraordinary 
 revoiu'icn, is all at once widely developed, its population ra 
 pidly ircreaffd, and h thereby < bliged to continual advances, 
 for clearing of land)-, for building, making of roads and canals, 
 to pay foreign debts, rm ftly in fpec'>f, and which has no mines, 
 mi'ft fe.fi the fcarci'y of money, and the reafon of it is clear: 
 the w?.nt of it is at prtfent fispplicd, in Connecticut, by an - 
 commodities, or thclcagainft labour. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 6$ 
 
 France, and that (he can make their exports with 
 greater advantage than thofe of any other country. 
 
 Thus it appears that thefe two countries may carry 
 on together a direct trade of exchange without mo 
 ney, confequently an advantageous one; for the ex 
 change between them of productions is more lucra 
 tive than an exchange of productions for money; 
 -although this opinion may not be adopted by men io. 
 general, who attach a greater price to gold than to 
 merchandize, and continually forget its reprefenta- 
 five value, to fubftitute for it a real one. It muftbe 
 incefiantly repeated to them that money would be 
 abfolutely nothing without productions; that a rich 
 people is that which, by its induftry, increaies po 
 pulation, and has confequently an abundance of 
 productions; that the fecret of increafing the quan 
 tity of coin confifts only in the art of multiplying 
 necefTary productions, and it is this to which the 
 United States ought to incline, without being anxious 
 about the money which they may have at prefent or 
 in future. 
 
 Let us refume the different queftions contained in 
 this chapter. 
 
 My object has been to make it appear that the 
 United States were forced by their necefiity and cir- 
 cumftances to engage in exterior commerce. 
 
 To convince my readers of this, I have proved 
 that the independent Americans had wants of ne- 
 ceflity, of convenience, and even fome of luxury, 
 which they could neither renounce nor fupply them- 
 felves with. 
 
 That having no manufactures of their own, they 
 were obliged to have recourfe to thofe of Europe: 
 that they could eftablifh none for a long time, having 
 but fc\v hands, and that cultivation ought to employ 
 all their cares. 
 
 That according to phyfical, political, and moral 
 
 relations, they ought to perfevcre in applying them- 
 
 G 2 felves 
 
64 ON THE COMMENCE OF THR 
 
 felves to agriculture alone, and even give up nif* 
 thoughts of tranfporting to Europe, by their ow?i 
 hieans, their proper productions. * 
 
 That this was the cnlv means of preferving their 
 republican moral*, and of retarding the . progrefs of 
 luxury. 
 
 In fine, that by engaging; in agriculture, and re* 
 glefting manufactures, th?y will iefs perceive the 
 want of money, and will find the means of fup- 
 piying that want, and of carrying on a very advan 
 tageous extern, ;ce of exchange of commo* 
 
 ": points being firmly eflablifhed, it" 
 
 is at .ccifary to pro-- all the nations 
 
 oi : Europe, France is tj roper to enter into 
 
 n commercial alliance 'with the United States, and 
 
 that their neceilities and productions, are correfpon-. 
 
 dent to each other. It is propofed to lay open this 
 
 .. tv prefenting the double table of reciprocal 
 
 and exportations,. to be made between? 
 
 America. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Of the fmporf/itlon to he made from France into the 
 
 UaitfJ .SV.7/ij, cr (f t/.c M'tints of the United Sfafes 9 . 
 
 . and the Productions ff France ivhich ccrreffon a thereto.. 
 
 rp 
 
 JL HE attentive reader will have already been able 
 to judge. the independent Americans do 
 
 not deviate from the career which is open to them, 
 Europe will, for a long time, have to furnifh them 
 with manufaclured merchandize. It has been made 
 to appear, that the clearing and cultivation of lands, 
 and all that relates to interior commerce, fuch as 
 roads and canals, offered to their intfuftry the rnoft 
 
 favourable 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 6$ 
 
 favourable and ufeful employ, efpecially whilft irn- 
 pofts do not reftrain their movements, and that a 
 free conftitution equally honours every individual. 
 
 It is now neceflary to take a curfory view of their 
 wants, and to point out thofe articles with which 
 France may pretend to furnifli them in competition 
 with other nations, if even (he cannot do it more 
 advantageoufly than her rivals. I will follow, in 
 this enumeration, the Englifh publications which 
 have treated upon the matter, and particularly that 
 of Lord Sheffield: he has omitted nothing, becaulc 
 his country pretends to furnifli every thing.* 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Wines. 
 
 Wine becomes a real want of thofe who have 
 once been acquainted with it. Happy or miferable, 
 rich or poor, every body makes ufe of wine. Wine 
 is the delight of the happy or of the rich: it helps 
 the unfortunate to fupport his forrow; the poor 
 think they find it an equivalent for the food they are 
 without. 
 
 Eafe has lately been too general in the United 
 States, not to have introduced the ufe of wine ; and 
 futurity, by augmenting their means, will only in- 
 creafe their want of this liquor. 
 
 The wines which were moft generally confumed 
 in the United States, were, as in England, Oporto, 
 Madeira, and fome from Spain. French wines, 
 charged as in Britain, with enormous duties, were 
 introduced by contraband only. 
 
 Liberty has caufed thofe Britannic ihackles to dif- 
 G 3 appear. 
 
 * I will not defcend to the m'nutia his Lordflilp has done, 
 but 1 will prove, in every important article, the French, if 
 they know how to profit by their natural advantages, muft ob- 
 Uia a preference. 
 
66 ON THE COMMERCE OF THK 
 
 appear. French wines are freely imported into the 
 United States, and pay but little duty. 
 
 Such is the ftate of things, and it ic-ads mt to the 
 dicuiiion of three queftions: 
 
 Does it fait the United States to cultivate vines, 
 and to make wine? 
 
 Ought they not, in renouncing this cultivation, 
 to give the preference to French wines? 
 
 And what means ought the French to ufe, in order 
 to obtain and preierve this preference? 
 
 It would be abfurd to deny that the United States 
 can produce wine, becaufe the experiments hitherto 
 made have been fruitlefs. Extended as they are, and 
 having countries as fouthern as Europe, it is im- 
 poflible there (hould not be } in many places, a foil 
 proper for the vine. 
 
 The little fuccefs of attempts may therefore^ 
 without hazarding too much, be attributed either to 
 the ignorance of the cultivator, his want of perfe- 
 veranct:, or a bad choice of plants. 
 
 Kqwever that may be, if the Americans will 
 hearken to the counfels of able obferve^s, and reap 
 advantage from the errors of other nations, they 
 will carefully avoid the cultivation of vines. In 
 every country where they have been cultivated, for 
 one rich man, they have made a number wretched. 
 
 The long and confuierable advances which vines 
 require, the preparation, prefervation, and fale of 
 their produce, have put all the good vineyard plots 
 into the hands of rich people, who not cultivating 
 thefe themfelves, pay the real cultivator very badly. 
 The falary of the wretched vine-drefler is every 
 where inevitably fixed; the time he does not work 
 not being calculated, and few wine countries offer 
 any employ by which tofl time may be filled up; and 
 otherwife, the variations in the prices of the moft 
 Beceflary commodities occafioned by a thoufand 
 
 caufes, 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 6/" 
 
 caufes, by theabun nee even icarcity of wine,, 
 are not confidered lor him. 
 
 Would it be bdieved, that ab-indance is t'<e mofi: 
 u* < . '-f'.uiate thi.ta; that can happen, either to t..j p'o- 
 pr. ir or ir,c vine-drefler? In faft, the expense of 
 gathering au;jnients, and the once of the fhing di- 
 roi niches. Ti)jre is more work to be done, more 
 hands are neceflary. and they are paid more .vages; 
 more hogfheads are wanted, the expt:nces of carriage 
 greater, more fpace h required, the fale is lefs, and 
 confeqiientiy the income.* 
 
 The fcarcity of wines, or the fteriiity of the vine 
 yard, is perhaps lefs unfortunate than the abunuance, 
 at lead to the proprietor. But it is cruelly felt by 
 the vine-drefler, and thofe wandering troops of day 
 labourers, whom the ingratitude of their foil, or a 
 bad government, forces to go from home in learch 
 of employ. 
 
 The numerous variations which have an influence 
 upon the produce of the vineyard, make it very in 
 convenient property, and triflingly advantageous. -(- 
 
 The 
 
 * The day's work of a vintager vanes according to th fcarcity 
 or abun lance of wins, from fix to fifty fols. The price of 
 hog/heads has likewife variations in a different price, from 
 three to fifteen livres. There are years wherein the pries of 
 the hogfhe id is higher tlurs i.hst of the wine which it contains. 
 
 The proprietor who eftabliftss his expences upon hio reve 
 nues, is every year deceived by thofe of the vineyarJ. In one 
 year he receives at the rate of 20 for too ; the fecond year his 
 vinevard is perhaps neltroyeJ by hail ; the third he is expofed 
 to bankrupcyj or to fufFer by it, or his wines tuin four 5 the 
 fourth he may have but a moderate produce, which will net 
 compenfate for his preceding lofTes. In ten years time, a pro 
 prietor would fcarcely find an average year which was tolerably 
 good ; yet, as men love to exaggerate their riches and means, 
 each proprietor calculates his revenue upon the higheft produce 
 that his vineyard has ever yielded: the greateit pa?t of them 
 fpend in confeq'ience, and are ruined. 
 
 f It is a proverb in France, that there is no property woife 
 conditioned than that of the vineyard. 
 
6$ ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 The return muft be waited for when much has-been 
 gathered; payments mufl be made when there has 
 been but little. The proprietor muft therefore have 
 other refources, whether it be to wait or to pay. 
 The vine-drefler, unhappy enough to have a pro 
 perty,* without any of thefe refources, ruins him- 
 felf fooner or later. He is obliged to fell at a low 
 price, f or to confume his wines himfelf ; thence re- 
 fults his ftupidity and idlenefs, his diicouragement, 
 his dull and quarrelfome humour, and efpecially the 
 ruin of his health. Too much wine in the time 
 of abundance, no bread in that of fcarcity; thefe 
 are the two alternatives which divide his life. 
 
 Therefore countries covered with vineyards are 
 generally lefs peopled, and prefent a picture of a de 
 generated, weak, and wretched population. For the 
 moft part they want hands to cultivate the vineyard 
 in a feafon when work cannot be delayed. It is 
 done by theie bands of ftrangers, of whom I have 
 
 already 
 
 * The Situation of a vine-diefler is different according to the 
 cuftom of countries. In fome he is hired only by the day, and 
 there he is completely wretched. In others, as in Switzerland, 
 he has half of the produce. But an unjuft and tyrannical tax, 
 laid on by the proprietors themfelves, reduces this half to a 
 quarter part. 
 
 f Such is nearly the fituation of moft of the vine-dieffera 
 of AON is, who are proprietors. They are at the mercy of the 
 rich farmers of that country. When winter comes, the vine- 
 drefTer has neither bread nor money. He goes to the farmer, 
 afks him for both : the farmer fays I will accommodate you> 
 give me your note. The bufhel of wheat is worth fix livres, 
 oblige yourfelf to return me, at a certain epocha^ the quanti 
 ty of wheat which lhall be fold for fix livres. He always takes 
 care to fix the time when corn is at a low price. The obliga- 
 tion is pafled, the moment of payment arrives j the vine-dreffer, 
 who has corn, gives more than he has received. If he has none, 
 he is ftill more embanafled ; the farmer prefTes him you have 
 wine, fays he, fell it me. But at what price ? The farmer of 
 fers a very low one. It is refufed he threatens the poor vine- 
 drefier is obliged to ruin himfelf, and this fcene is annually 
 repeated. 
 
T1KITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 already fpoken, and who come to fell fome days 
 work to the poor vine-atelier. 
 
 The cultivation of a vineyard cannot be better 
 compared than to thofe manufactures-, of which the 
 hopes of fuccefs are founded upon the low price of 
 workrnanfhip, arid which enrich none but the under 
 takers, and retailers or fl-ioi kct' r er,;. 
 
 The pernicious influence of the vine is extended, 
 in wine countries, to even thofe who do not cultivate 
 it; for the cheapnefs of wine kids' to excefle?, and 
 confbqucntly it becomes a poiion for all r?nks of- 
 fociety, for thofe efpecially who find in it a means of 
 forgetting their ibrrows. 
 
 Therefore, as I have already remarked, indulhy 
 carefully avoids theie dangerous vineyard plots. None 
 of the great manufactures, whofe fuccefs is the con 
 fequence of order, afliduity, and labour, are feen in 
 die neighbourhood of them. 
 
 The" refult of all thefe obfervations is, that the" 
 Americans ought to profcribe the cultivation of the 
 vine. 
 
 It would infallibly render miferable that clafs of 
 fociety which (liould apply itfelf to it, and in a re 
 public there fhould be none who are wretched, be- 
 caufe want obliges them to difturb civil order, or, 
 \vhat is worfe, becaufe they are at the command of 
 the rich, by whom they are paid, and who may make 
 ufe of them to deftroy republicanifm.* 
 
 Confidered with refpecl to the proprietors, the 
 vine ought ftill to be profcribed by the United States; 
 becaufe every profeffion or calling, fufceptible oi 
 r.oo great a variation of fortune, which fometimes 
 heaps up riches to one perfon, and at other reduces 
 to indigence individuals in eafy circumilances, ought 
 
 carefully 
 
 * The mean language of ftiopkeepers, who humbly offer 
 their merchandize, has already begun to find its way into th.v 
 American papers. 
 
7<$ OX THE COMMERCE OF THE 1 
 
 carefully to be avoided. Economy, (implicit)', pri 
 vate virtues, are not attached to fuch changeablenefs. 
 
 They are found in the bofom of mediocrity only, 
 from cafincfs of circumftances, founded upon that 
 kind of toil whofe produce is conftant.* Such is 
 that of agriculture in general ; it embraces divers 
 productions, which, in cafe of accident, replace 
 each other.-}* 
 
 Finally, if if be infilled that xvine is necefiary to 
 man, let it not ftupify him ; it fhould be ufed with 
 moderation, and its dearnefs alone may oblige men 
 to be moderate in the ufe of it. It being greatly the 
 mtereft of the American Republics to remove all 
 excefTes from individuals, in order to prevent this 
 degeneracy, they ought to keep perpetually at a dif- 
 tance from them a production, whofe dearnefs will 
 prevent the abuie of it, whole cultivation would 
 render it cheap, and confequently bring on dangerous 
 excefies both to policy and morals. + 
 
 The catalogue which I havejuft gone over, of the 
 evils and abufes occafioned by the culture of vine?, 
 will not induce the French to pull up theirs. But it 
 ought at lead to excite them to increafe in foreign. 
 
 markets 
 
 * The Indians arc almoft all Cultivators or weavers, which 
 >s the reafon why private morals have been better preferred 
 *"i or:g thefe people than any where e'fe, in fp' : te of ihe exceiles 
 of dffpot-fm. 
 
 \- What recompence would be confiderable enough for an in- 
 -cnious man, who fhould give to humanity the means of pre 
 fervmg potatoes for levetai years, efpecially if the procefs vvcic 
 fimple a/jd not expenfive ? In thet cafe want woulii be no longer 
 feircd. The erabantairnacHt about the Ifgifiation of coin would 
 aiJ':\rpear, and mifery perhaps be driven from among mm. 
 
 It will be o! jt:fted, that men employed in agriculture have 
 nted of wine to fupport them ia thtir labour. This is but aa 
 opinion : there are found, in countries where it i* leaft ufed, 
 vigorous and indefatigable men. In truth, wine contains an 
 adtUe fpirit whii h may fupply the want of fubftantial aliment, 
 and ir is f(-r .his reaf>n, the pejfants h.ave rec^infe to wine or 
 brandy, which is more wi'hi:i their reach. Give them meat 
 and poutoes, and they will eaijly do without 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. JM 
 
 markets the confumption of wines, in order to keep 
 np their price, and confequently to diminifli a part 
 of the evils which they produce. This will be 
 doubly advantageous, by an additional exterior pro 
 fit, and a diminution of interior ill. Nobody will 
 deny that French wines muft obtain the preference 
 in the United States. They are the moft agreeable, 
 the moft varied, and wholefome, if moderately nfed; 
 the leaft prejudicial, if ufed to excefs. They ought 
 to be the bafis of our exportation to America; no 
 nation can raife a competition with us. Lord Shef 
 field himfelf pays this homage to our wines; but in 
 order to affaire to them this advantage for ever, the 
 art of making, preferving, and tranfporting them 
 muft be improved. 
 
 In general we are at prefent far from this:* igno 
 rance, old prejudices, difoouragement of the people, 
 import on exportation ; all concur to retard the pro- 
 grefs of improvement. 
 
 The United States (thefe Hates of fo new a date) 
 already furnifh us the model of an inflitution, which 
 alone would encourage the culture of corn and vines, 
 
 and 
 
 * I will quote, for inrr.ance, the wines of Provence, which, 
 by their ftrength, ought to be capable of fupporting the longeft 
 voyages; and by their analogy to the wine of Portugal, would 
 have the greatefl fuccefs in the United States, if they were pro- 
 perly prepared, Thefe wines have hitherto been in the loweft 
 repute in the North, in che Indian and American colonies; and 
 that becaufe, on one hand, the fitters out of veflelg brought 
 them without choofing, and on the other, the individual having 
 no idea of the culture of vines, nor of the preparation of wine, 
 jnixed the white grape with the red, did notdii.'ngmfh the plants, 
 th foil, nor fituation ; cured it by rote, v/ithout paying atten 
 tion to the difference of years and qualities 5 put into his tubs, 
 to give, as he pretended, a higher flavour to his wine, all forts 
 of <ieteflab!e ingredients, fuch as fait, lime, pUifter, and pigeon's 
 dung j put it into bad calks of chefnut- tree j left in them a year's 
 fediment, and never drew off the wine, (j that it was slwav 
 more inclined to turn four than any other winej and therefore 
 became little fit for a foreign voyage. 
 
< QX THE COMMERCE OF 
 
 and make the momentary inconvenience of abundant 
 vintages, which ruin the proprietor and farmer, 
 diiappear. 
 
 This inftitution, eafy to be naturalized in France, , 
 would have two branches, a clepofit in the public 
 .magazines of the productions of the c^rth; certificate 
 or billets of depolit which would form an authentic 
 title for the difpofmg.jproj:rietor, transferable without 
 formalities at the current price, like all other public 
 effects. 
 
 It is thus, that in Virginia means have been found 
 to fupply the want of money,* and to give at the 
 time of reaping, a real and. ufeful value to tobacco, 
 which, without that, waiting for a demand, lies 
 heavy upon the proprietor. 
 
 This is not the place to examine this idea pro 
 foundly, neither to deftroy the objections which will 
 be made againft it. This project may constitute the 
 matter of a memoir by itfelf. I give here nothing 
 .inore than the title. f 
 
 People 
 
 * The Virginians have given another example which proves 
 Jiow eafy it is to do without money. Man'- countries near to 
 the Ohio hiving none of it, the general affembly refolved, they 
 ;'!oula pay their quota of imports in hemp and flax, which fhould 
 be deposited in the public magazines. 
 
 f- If it were wihed that this project fhould fucceed, it would 
 be abfolutely neceffary to put away all pofiibility of an abufe 
 unpunifheo. It won d perhaps be neceffary, that government 
 fhould take no part nor have any influence in it. This precau 
 tion wi'l be exclaimed againit ; but let us once more caft our eyes 
 upon Ei. gland. If there be a government wpon earth whole hands 
 are tied, vvhofe fte'ps are watched, \vhofe actions are brought to 
 ligh , to public ceniure, and, confequently, whcfe fecret attempts 
 are Jefs to be feared by the people, .it is that of England. See 
 what the aftoniihing Minifter, who ib now at the head of aff; V") 
 propofes to hinder the intervention and influence of the Ertgiiih 
 .government in the new plan of redemption of the public effects 
 and of their decreafe. He infifts, that the commiffioners who 
 fhall be charged with it, fhall be always independent of govern 
 ment} that they ihall be public agents, and that no.force fhall 
 
STATES OF AMERICA. V j 
 
 People in the United States complain of an abufe 
 in the commerce of the French wines, which abufe 
 it is of importance to remedy in the moft fpeedy 
 manner, if we would not deltroy the commerce in 
 its origin. Illicit commerce produced there before 
 the revolution good Bourdeaux wine, becaufc it 
 a property tf fmuggiing to '-give that ^hich is of fupcrlir 
 cnality, arid at a chetiper rate. 
 
 Now, fince the peace, wines fent from France 
 have not been, as it is airerteci, of a good quality. 
 It is impoffible that from greedinefc they may fome- 
 times have been adulterated. But this tranfient 
 abufe, which the merchant may eafily deftroy when 
 ever he pleafes, by choofing in the United States 
 H com- 
 
 r ?.'n them to alien nte from Us object the money deftined to 
 <,>ay off or ietien the public debt. 
 
 This miniver clearly perceived, that the confidence of the 
 
 people ought to be gained at any price, for tl*s eftablifhment 
 
 which exifts but by confidence; and that in i'uch a cafe, the 
 
 Vice of power would fignify nothing to a government which, 
 
 is really willing to prevent abufes. 
 
 The advantages refuking from a plan like this are vifible. 
 "T'ublic depositories woeld fapply the defefi: of ability in thofe 
 C'iuld not lay up the productions ol' the earth. They 
 w.iuld prevent fqnandering, lolfer, and fcarcity, and eilablifh 
 a more coriftant uniformity in prices as well as in quantities: 
 want of confidence would at firft perhaps hinder the ufe of 
 thefe magazines, caves, or cellars of chcfe public rei^rvoirs. 
 But this would not long be the cafe, if fmcerity, order, and 
 econonfiy, reigned in thefe e'tabli/hments. It is an advantage 
 which might have been procured by means of provincial admi- 
 niftrations, and which porhaps will never be enjoyed but under 
 iheir aufpices 
 
 With refpe<fl to the 6 1 L i. z T s, or NOT i: s o r COMMODITIES 
 OR PRODUCTIONS, it i f^.cn hyw preatiy they would increai'e 
 'n:ition?l riches, how qniclciy the mifery of the pealahft Wcrtjd 
 difapjsear, if thefe notes circulated as value in commerce, and 
 if the vine-drelfiyr could change hi? note of depoiit for produc 
 tions of which he was in nre-U The monopoly of rich cukj* 
 vators 'would then be overcurned ; of cultivators who futlc up 
 'the whole fubfiflence of the vine-dreficr, and, by avaricious 
 advaaces., reduce^him to their will. 
 
74 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 commiflioners whofe reputation is untouched; thfs 
 abufe, I fay, ought not to ftop the exportations of 
 France. Wine, if it be good, will always find c.m- 
 fumers. Nothing but intelligence and iincerity ar-e 
 neceflkry to fucceed in this, for nature has done the 
 reft for France. 
 
 The Americans prefer, in general, the wine which 
 is carried to them in bottles, becaufe they believe it 
 Jefs fubjedk to become iharp, or to change on the 
 voyage. On the firft .view.it feems advantageous to 
 France to furnifh its wines \vith this envelope, be 
 caufe it is a new opening for its glafs-ware. But if 
 It be recollected, what a prodigious quantity of com- 
 buflibles glafs manufactures require, to the fenfible 
 deitruction of forefts, it appears imprudent to en 
 courage a commerce which cannot but augment it 
 rapidly. At lead, before it be encouraged, it would 
 be necefTary to have very certain accounts of the 
 number of glafs manufactories in the kingdom, of 
 their confumption of wood and charcoal, of their 
 produce and exportation, and, finally, of c.ur foreih 
 and mines. 
 
 SECTION IL 
 
 Brandy. 
 
 The rapid progrefs lately made in chymiftry has 
 difcovered, in moft of the fruits of the earth, the 
 faltsand fpirits which conftitute the efTence of bran 
 dy; this difcovery has been turned to advantage; 
 there refill ts from it a confidernble abatement in the 
 price of that liquor, that is to fay, a very great evil; 
 this proves, by the way, that there are dlfroveries 
 in phyfics which mould not be revealed without 
 having firft confidered their moral and political ef- 
 -fects, and having indicated to government the means 
 of preventing their inconveniencies; it alfo proves,, 
 
 that 
 
(JN-ITED STATES OF AMERICA. 75 
 
 that a chymift ought not to be a chymift only, but 
 a politician aifo. 
 
 The ! randies of France are generally looked upon 
 as the be it, that;is to fay, the moft delicate and leaft 
 pernicious : therefore they obtain the preference with 
 people in eafy circumftances. 
 
 A great deal of brandy is confumed by the com 
 mon people; but this is counter-balanced at home- 
 and abroad by fpirits drawn from grain, fruit, ov 
 fugar. 
 
 Rum, which is produced from the latter, has had, 
 and ever will have, in the United Stales, the pre* 
 ference over our brandies, by reafon of its cheap* 
 nefs. The American:), efpecially the Bbftotirans, 
 import melafles from the fugar iilands, and diftil it, 
 and independently of their confumption, they re- 
 fell a great part of it to the inhabitants of the iamc 
 Iilands, who cannot diftil it for want of combufiibles. 
 
 Betide rum, the Americans make ftrong fpirits 
 from grain, potatoes, &c. They are indebted for 
 this to the Irifli -and Germans who have gone to 
 fettle in the United States. A pernicious preu-nt 
 thofe emigrants have made them. 
 
 In Ireland the cheapnefs of fpirits made from 
 grain places them within the reach of the poorefi 
 man. The lowed clafles of fociety life them to an 
 incredible excels; and this excefs contributes not a 
 little to promote that quarrelfome humour which 
 characterifes thclriih, '.j plunge them into ftupidity, 
 and hinder them from riling to that degree of prof- 
 perlty to which the liberty of commerce they have 
 lately obtained ought to carry them. 
 
 The Americans would already have experienced 
 a part of that degradation of which the exceffive ufe 
 of ftrong liquors is the caufe, if they were not almoft 
 all proprietors, in eafy circumftances, and fathers of 
 families; if inftruclion and morals were not rncr^ 
 generally propagated among them than among any 
 H 2 other 
 
76 QS THE COMMERCE OF TH* 
 
 other people; and, finally, if the quick and co:Ai- 
 tierable profits which workmen there obtain by the 
 high price of workmanfliip, did not give them a 
 falutary ambition which keeps them from intem 
 perance.* 
 
 Thofe of the United States, f where the people- 
 have gone from fimple and primitive manners, 
 where luxury begins to reign, where flavery ftill 
 
 exifts, 
 
 * The temperance of the Americans proves, THAT A MAN 
 is HONEST WHEN HE is HAPPY. He is neither vicious nor. 
 criminal, EXCEPT WHEN H is WRETCHED. What, there 
 fore, is the firft caufe of his vices and crimes ? The caufe of 
 his wretchednefs. The genealogy of almoft all crimes is no 
 property or want of employ -caufe of wietchedneis of the peo- 
 jil'- wretchednefs the caufe of crunkennefs drunkennefs the 
 caufe of qaarreis, of idienefs,.of nvfery, of thefts. Thefts 
 cavife imprisonment and capital puniihments. 
 
 The firft link only to which a defect of property is attached* 
 remains to be remarked. It is not necelTary to name. it. But 
 it aiifes from this genealogy, thut in the adlual order of things, 
 the people being drawn into vices and crimes, are lefs culpable 
 than they are imagined ; consequently they on^ht not to be fo 
 feverely punlihed, and that governn.ent fliould fupprefs too 
 Jevere paim. This truth cannot be too often repeated, and it 
 ought to be joined to every circumstance when opportunity of 
 fers, feeing that the lift of bloody executions is every where 
 augmented, and that narrow minds, which ice tlir atrocity only 
 of the crime, without perceiving its csuife, incelF.mtly demand 
 blood for expiation. There weuid be but few . fcaffolds if none 
 but real criminals mounted them. 
 
 f See Smith's Voyage to the fo- .hern United States, where 
 a. defcription of the life of the Carolinians is given. This an-, 
 thor makes it appear, that they drink to excefs the ftrongeft li 
 quors, although the climate be extremely hot. By this they 
 abridge their lives, and appear o!d in the flower of youth. This 
 is one of the caufes of the mortality among the Englifh in the 
 Eaft-Indiesj they have introduced there the ufe of wines r,nj 
 ttrong liquors, and they are victims to them, TLe Indians nuke 
 no ufe of thefe, and live to a great age. 
 
 In quoting Smith, the European :e>:cers ought to be pu- on, 
 their guard agdiflft En^lifa ^I'tiality, which rcigos throughout 
 tke work. 
 
UNITED STATES O? AMERICA. 77 
 
 exifts, are daily witnefles to the ravages caufed by 
 the excellive ufe of fpirits made from grain.*' 
 
 A long habit is difficult, and often impoflible, to 
 fhake off, efpecially when it procures enjoyment.-. 
 Therefore, it is not to be expected that the Ameri 
 cans will ever renounce the ufe of thefc liquors. 
 The philofopher fighs at this; commercial nations, 
 which turn to profit the misfortunes and caprices of 
 mankind, drive to take .advantage of it. France 
 will have the advantage, f if fhe can reduce the 
 price of brandies to the level of that of rum. Go- 
 'Vrvernment, in order to aim at this point, has already 
 perceived the neceffity of lowering the duties on the 
 exportation of thefe ipirits. 
 
 But ought it to favour, with fo much complaifance, 
 the diftiltation and exportation of brandies? I do 
 not think foj this new opinion feems to be a para 
 dox; it will ceafe to appear fo, when it ffeall have 
 been examined with attention. 
 
 The diflillation of brandies caufe a great decay of 
 combuftjbles: one great evil in a country wiere 
 combuftibles daily become more rare 4 
 
 H 3 The 
 
 * Ail brandies, except therefrom fugar and wine, are perni 
 cious, efpecially when ne v. They cannot be drank without 
 immediately difordering the body. The moft trifling excefs is 
 fufficient to caufe death. 
 
 f Lord Sheffield agrees that the brandies of France are pre 
 ferable to thofe of.Spain and Portugal, of which there is never- 
 thelefs feme confumption in ihe United States. 
 
 | All the provinces of France, thofe even to which nature has 
 refufed the means of tranfporting their wood to others, feel the 
 fcarc'ty of this article. Lorrain may be quoted as an inftance. 
 The forefts of that province decay, as it is reported in the prof- 
 peclus of a price u-pon pit-coal, propofed by the academy of 
 Naoci the dearnefs of wn-vi is exceflive there. The caufe of 
 this inconvenience is not ciiilicuk to afiign j it is the necdfary 
 confequence of forges, glafs-houfes, falt-pits, &c. The academy 
 requires pit-coal to be fought for, to ferveinftead or wood. A 
 more firppie means would be to deftroy forges and glafs-.houfes> 
 ani to get iron and glafs from America. 
 
78 o\ 7 THL: COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 The exportation of brandy produces but little to 
 the revenue. To encourage this article, it has been 
 neceflary to take off the import, which at prefent is 
 no more than five fols per hogfhead, whilft wine 
 pays a duty of at leaft an hundred fols, and in the 
 Bordelois, from that fum to twenty-eight livres.* 
 
 Government ought to have done the reverfe, to 
 have reduced the duties on wines, and augmented 
 (hofe upon brandies. 
 
 The exportation of brandies is prejudicial to the 
 confumption of our wines, tor it is the ban's of all 
 made wines in countries where wine is not produced. 
 It is put into a great quantity of water; to which are 
 added bay-berries, every where to be found. Wine 
 brandies are indifpenfable in this fabrication; no 
 other can fnpply. their place j becaufe they only can 
 v,ive to artificial wines the winy tafte which is eflen- 
 tial to make them drinkable. 
 
 What immenfe gain to ftrangers in this prccefs 
 and what lofs to France! A barrel of brandy which 
 pays a triiinp; duty on exportation, whofe tranfport 
 cofts but little, on account of its contracted bulk, 
 may be added to five or fix barrels of water, which 
 rort nothing, and by the aid of fugared ingredients, 
 which give colours, may enter into competition with 
 fix barrels of wine, that pay confiderable duties on 
 exportation, and whofe exportation and tranfport 
 -are very expenfive. 
 
 Therefore, in diftilling and exporting brandies, 
 we work for the intereft of onr rivals ; we give them 
 
 What 
 folly ! 
 
 * Government lias, fincc this work has been written, fuf. 
 jtruled the duties paid by the wines of Bourdeaux and Langue- 
 doc. This fufpenfion was granted upon a remonftrance, im 
 porting that there was an enormous quantity of wines at Bour 
 deaux, and which the holders dared not export, that ihey might 
 not be obliged to ad/ance the high duties. This proves, that 
 irppofts cccafion a ftagnatior. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 79 
 
 folly What would people fay of an alchymift, who* 
 having found the philofopher'i ftone, mould com 
 municate his fecret to his rivals, who would make 
 life of it to his prejudice. 
 
 And yet this operation, fo prejudicial to France, 
 has been favoured by government. It encourages 
 diftillers; that is, it raifes up enemies againft the 
 meliorating vineyard's and wines, and efpecially 
 againft the art of preferving the latter. It would be 
 much more prudent and advantageous to difcourage 
 diftilleries. In fact, the diftillation of brandies is 
 for the vineyard proprietor a laft refource, which 
 proves his ruin. 1 * 
 
 SECTION III. 
 O/'/r, Olives i dry Fruits, &c. 
 
 Thefe articles are fo many wants with the Ame 
 ricans of eafy fortune, and efpecially thole in the 
 northern States. Our fouthern Provinces, which 
 produce Inch delicious fruits, cannot in this refpect 
 fear any competition. They are alfo articles which 
 have hitherto bed fucceeded in adventures made 
 from Marfeilles. 
 
 Moreover, all that Europe will be able to furnifh 
 of them, will find room in the United States; they 
 
 will 
 
 * In the Orleano'.s, fix barrels at leaft of wins are neceflary 
 to make one of brandy. The w ne of this country, when it is 
 drinkable, is fold on an average at thirty livres a barrel. The fix 
 barrels produce one hundred and eighty livres, and reduced to 
 brandy they fcarcely produce eighty. Thus the proprietor fuffera 
 a lofs of one hundred. Br,andies fent abroad, where they dimi- 
 nifh the fale of wine, can bear no exportation duty. Wines, on 
 the contrary, pay a confiderable one. Let thefe calculations be 
 anfwered* The English themfelves ought not to admit the bran- 
 dies of France, becaufe, in filling Englind with artificial wines, 
 they are prejudicial to their wine dut\. The prohibition of 
 brandies would, under this double afpeft, be advantageous to 
 both countries. 
 
So ON THS COMMERCE O? THE 
 
 will accompany our wines, and we e:*n join with 
 the fame eafe and certainty of faie, perfumeries, 
 anchovies, verdigrcafe, &c. as well as an hundred 
 other little things taken. by the Eugiifh from Mar- 
 feilles, and of which they have created a want to 
 the Americans. 
 
 Lord Sheffield, in his work, makes Spain, Por 
 tugal, and Italy, furnifli the United States with thefe 
 commodities. I wifli he had beer firicere enough 
 to give the advantage to France. France is fo ge 
 nerally known to fell thefe productions in the States 
 of America, that it is equally aflonSfhing this writer 
 fhould have been ignorant of it, or filent upon the 
 fubjecl. This fact, by proving his partiality, ought 
 to put readers upon their guard againft his aflei tions. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 Cloths. 
 
 People governed by a free conftitution are natu 
 rally grave and deliberate. They prefer, in every 
 tiling they ufe, goodnefs to elegance, what is folid 
 to that which is fubjecl; to the caprices of mode. 
 Therefore, as long as the independent Americans en 
 joy their excellent conftitution, they will prefer 
 clothes of cloth to thofe of the moft brilliant fluffs. 
 
 Moreover, its beauty, pliancy, itrength, and du 
 ration, render it more generally fit for this ufe in any 
 climate whatfoever: cloth fecures the body from 
 the excefles of cold as well as from thofe of -heat. , 
 It refills rain; in a word, it unites every conveni 
 ence; and if it be the univerfal clothing of people 
 in a middling ftate, it offers equally to the rich, but 
 reafonable man, a choice proper to fatisfy his tafte, 
 and to proportion his expences to his means. 
 
 The manufacture of cloths is in the number of 
 thofe complicated manufactures which employ 
 throughout the year a great number of workmen by 
 
 the 
 
tJK-ITED STAT-ESTOF AMERICA, c 
 
 the day; therefore it will not be fuitable to the Ame 
 ricans, fo long as that clafs of men which produces 
 thefe workmen mall be able to employ themfelves 
 more ufefully in the clearing of lands, and in culti 
 vation in general. 
 
 A manufacture of woollen {tuffs, proper for the 
 clothing of the country proprietor, his family and 
 lervants, may, without doubt, be affociated into the 
 labours of the field ; but manufactures of, this kind, 
 although very important in thernfelves, can only be 
 applied to coarfe and unfiniilied (tuffs. The inter 
 rupted leiiure of the peaiant permits him to do no 
 thing which is complicated. Card, fpin, weave, 
 and bleach, is all that he can do.* If it be necef- 
 fary for him to go beyond thefe, he will find a greater 
 advantage in fell in;?; his raw materials, or even with 
 their tint pre] , if they be fimple, and to. 
 
 draw fro [;i the maiHiiVichires, properly fo called, the 
 articles of which he is in need. 
 
 We owe little gratitude to thofe of our {peculators 
 who immediately after the peace difperfed our cloths 
 in the United States. If one fpark of public fpirif 
 had animated them, they would have perceived the 
 precious and honourable fervice which they were 
 able to render to their country in thefe firft adven 
 tures, by giving to th" Americans a great idea of 
 the (late of our rnaniifeuftures. Thefe people were 
 well difrofeci, bv tlir fuccour France had given; 
 them, to cherifh its inhabitants, to eiteem their cha 
 racter, an -j receive their productions. They were 
 
 well 
 
 * As lonf as there are lartds to be cleared, the lelfure wbi;h 
 arr' . jwlil be very /hovt, becaufe every feafon is pro- 
 f- r . ;>}', ex~-;.t; vvhf-.M too great a q'jancity of fnovv 
 {T,J(,- The intervals of leifure become regularly efta- 
 blifhed, ^ tern of cultivation is fixed j and thie ftH en 
 tirely difp ) Then undertakings are calculated upon 
 their Duration 5 but, in. genera!, fimple work, which req--:': 
 no coafiderabls apparatur, is that only which 
 
8 Ott THE COMMERCE OF TH3 
 
 well difpofed to abjure the contempt and aversion 
 with which the Englifh had infpired them for their 
 rivals and their productions, and to give France the 
 preference in every thing. Why has avarice, by a 
 miferabie calculation, rendered thefe good difpofi- 
 tions of no effect ? Men were willing to gain, to 
 gain greatly; to make what is called a good ftroke, 
 in taking advantage of the diftrefs of the Americans, 
 and forcing them to take thole commodities which 
 were unfit for every other market.* 
 
 This difhonefty has counterbalanced the fervice 
 rendered them; for the imprudent and wretched 
 young man, whofe throat is cut by an ufurer, owes 
 him no acknowledgment. A greater evil to France 
 has been the confequence her cloths have loft their 
 repu ration in the United States. But let the Ame 
 ricans undeceive themfelves; let them net attribute 
 to the nation the fault of a few individuals; let them 
 i:ave a bad opinion of our cloths, becaufe feme 
 c;d ones have been fent to them. The fame acci 
 dent would have happened to Englifh cloths if, in a 
 like cafe, there had been Englifli merchants avarici 
 ous enough, and fo far flrangers to the public good, 
 as to fend their refufe to the United States. f 
 
 The 
 
 * I do not accufe sny bo<?y ; but I can certify, upon the au 
 thority of the moft refpeclabie eye-witneffes, chac fome of theie 
 outcaft cloths fell at the end of fix months wear into Ihred: . 
 
 The Americans were jo ftruck by this, that Mr. Laurens, 
 after having received two millions, which France lent to the 
 United States, employed a part of' that fum to buy Englifii cloths. 
 Complaints were made; he anfwered that it was his duty to buy 
 better and cheaper cloths. 
 
 ' Englifh merchants love, as well as others, to get money, 
 and there are among them thofe who, for the love of gain, would 
 trample under foot every patriotic confederation. But the public 
 fpirit of the generality of" them puts, in England more than elfe- 
 where, a check upon the fhameful enterprizts cf avarice; con- 
 fequemi) the greater p-'.rt of the merchants never abandon the 
 national interefts in th,c:r fpeculations, neither the honour of Eng- 
 lifli commerce, nor the reputation of their manii/aftures. It 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. gj 
 
 The Americans who come among us, ftudy the 
 nature ci the intcrcourfc which \ve fhall one day- 
 have with the Usiited States; they know that our 
 manufacturers pofTefs all the means which give to 
 Engliih cloths their reputation ; that they make them 
 in the fame manner, and that the fuperfines are fu- 
 perior to thofe of England; that in geiveral dying is 
 better underftood with us, and carried to greater 
 perfection: in fhort, that it depends but on fome 
 circumftances eafy to be got over, to make the cheap- 
 nefs-of our workmanfhip allure us the preference to 
 the Englifh with refpedt to cloths. 
 
 Lord Sheffield, in avowing the fuperiority of our 
 fine cloths, and of their cheapnefs, obferves, that 
 the greateft confumption of the Americans is of 
 common cloths, with refpect to which France cannot 
 enter into a competition with England. And he 
 draws from it this confequence, that the inconveni 
 ence of dividing the demands to compofe aflbrt- 
 ments, and the consideration of the fmall quantity 
 of fine cloth neceflary to form them, will caufe thefe 
 to be ordered in England, notwithftanding the ad 
 vantage there would be in getting them from France. 
 
 But why ftiould we not furnifli common cloths 
 to the United States, fince the labour of our manu 
 facturers is cheaper than that of England? It is be- 
 caufe the Englim wool is cheaper than ours. The 
 EnglHh grow their own wool, and ftand in no need 
 
 of 
 
 is thus they are become the principal agents for fiirniflimg every 
 fpecies of manufacture to the whole worlrf. When it happens 
 that any of them iacrifice national reputation to views of private 
 interert, honeft patriots generally perfer accufa'ions againft them 
 before a public tribunal, and then the culpri" Is not fuffered to 
 anfwer by clandestine memoirs to public and fubftantial accufa- 
 tion ; this obfcure and cowardly refource is held in too great 
 contempt to He made ufe of. There it mains nothing to the 
 culprit but filence or faJfhood ; in both cafes he is dishonoured 
 in the opinion of the public, whi. h aff- Us and marks every in 
 dividual, without refpe& to rank; power, or riciies. 
 
$4 N THE COMMERCE OF THK 
 
 of foreign wool, except a little Spanifh, indifpen- 
 fable to fuperfine cloths. On the contrary, we im 
 port more than half of the wool' we manufacture 
 into cloth. M. la Platiere fays there are thirty-five 
 millions of flieep kept in Great-Britain, each of 
 which, he affirms, produces on an average at leaft 
 iix pounds of wool. It is the breed of flieep which 
 gives to England fuch an amazing fuperiority over 
 all other nations in her woollen manufactures. 
 ^France ought to encourage the breed of fheep find 
 the deflruclion of wolves.* M. la Platiere faw this 
 evil, and had courage to publifti it in the Encyclo 
 pedia Methodique. Platiere was called a man of 
 pretenfions. The fame title was given to Dr. Price 
 in London, when he predicted the lofs of the Colo- 
 -iiies. The minifterial heads of that country laughed 
 sit the prophet, but the t vent proved he \vasright, 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 Linens. 
 
 There are two principal fpecies of linen-drapery, 
 which are fubdivided into a multitude of others. 
 
 The firft fpecies contains linen properly fo called; 
 that is to fay, linen which lerves to make fhirts, 
 "iheefs, table linen, and i\\\ the linen made ufe of 
 for every purpofe of cleanlinefs. 
 
 Thefe linens are made with hemp, flax, or cotton ; 
 <his laft article is employed when the two former ones 
 are fcarcc: it is fometimes mixed with flax. 
 
 The 
 
 * In the time of the monarchy there was in ofEce called Lo-u- 
 VETERIE, or Matter of" the French King's wolf-hounds, and 
 his (tffociates receive.! a trifling rt-compence for the head of every 
 wolf they "killed : of whom this faft i* \vell atccilcil. There 
 is a fmall diilrift, the fub-rielcgate of which put into his account 
 the price of ten thoufand wolves hea'h. The quantity appeared 
 extraordinary to the. mini flcr. The affair was examined. The 
 fob-delegate was difcharged. But he who prompted him to th-e 
 ^.fl went 
 
UNITED STATES O? AMERICA, $ 
 
 'The manner of making thefe linens is very fim- 
 ple; they are made in all parts of Europe.* Thofe 
 countries where religious or political defpotifm di- 
 fcourages induftry ; where the numerous inftitutions 
 of charity, invented to divert the attention of de- 
 fpair from mifery, nonrim idlenefs ; thefe countries 
 nre the only ones wherein this manufacture does not 
 merit the attention of the political obferver. 
 
 Every where elfe, the country people employ, 
 more or lefs, the leifure which their kind of life af 
 fords them to fpin and weave linen. Mod of the 
 farmers and proprietors who enjoy a little eafe, or 
 who are not afraid of letting it appear, fow hemp 
 or flax, and draw from their foil and the work of 
 I their 
 
 * If there be a country \vhere the manufacture of linens is 
 encouraged, it is in Ireland, particularly, fince its refurrection 
 into the political world. Parliament has eftabiilhed a com 
 mittee which is particularly employed about this manufacture, 
 and which grants very considerable fuccours to manufacturers. 
 There is one who has obtained more than thirty thoufand pounds 
 flerling from government, and whofe manufacture employs t'.vo 
 thoufand men and women, and fix hundred children. 
 
 This comTiittee names infpectors to examine the ft ate of ma- 
 nufactures, and afterwards to make reports, or give a gene:v,l 
 defcription of their fituation, of the number of workmen they 
 employ, of their produce, refources, wants, &c.j| 
 
 Still more has been done in Ireland, to encourage the com 
 merce of linen ; great edifices have been builr, and deilined to 
 receive them, >s well as thole who come to offer them for fale. 
 The moft confiderable market being at Dublin, three or four 
 times a year, linen merchants from die North, who have bleach- 
 yards, come to Dublin with their affortinents. They find in 
 thefe edifices, places for their linens and for themfelves to lod^c 
 in, all at no expence. They meet Englifh buyers "or others, 
 who go there, to gather together all their purchafes. Like ce^o- 
 fitories are eRabliihed in the North ; they are efTentia:ly neceilkry 
 to thofe manufactures, the articles of which are gathered in the 
 countr- . Where they exift, expences are lefs, and work is bet 
 ter paid for. 
 
 j| When thefe infpectors are honeft, and men of underftand- 
 sng, their reports are evidences of fuccefs. Then example hai 
 a Angular bfiuence upon iuduftry. 
 
$6 ON THE COMMERCE Ot THL 
 
 their hands the linen which covers their bodies 
 fupplies their family. 
 
 The Engiifli have added other caufes to thofe 
 \vhich produce low-priced worknaanfliip : their aflo- 
 m'fhing induftry, their obferving genius, their, ever 
 calculating mind, have invented for the fpinning, &c. 
 of cotton, and for weaving, feveral machines which 
 Hill furpafs the cheapnefs to be expected from the 
 leifure of the inhabitants of the country. 
 
 As thefe machines are infenfibly introduced into 
 countries, it may be expected that the low price of 
 linen-drapery will be every where eftablifhed. 
 
 But notwithftanding the multiplication of thefe 
 machines, nations which groan under a bad govern 
 ment, or are grown rufty in old and wretched habits, 
 will always depend, for that article of neceffity, upon 
 thofe which have eftablifhed bounds to their govern 
 ment, but none for their induflry, which muft con- 
 Jftantly increafe. 
 
 It refults from thefe facts, that the United States 
 will always have, in proportion to the increafe of 
 their population and culture, lefs recourfe to ftran- 
 gers for that principal kind of linen-drapery whofe 
 manufacture is fo well aflbciated with the labours of 
 the field.* 
 
 Very fine linens muft be excepted ; they are def- 
 tined for luxury, and the individuals employed in 
 manufacturing them are condemned to vegetate mi- 
 ferably in cities, rolling perpetually in the fame circle 
 of mechanical labours. f It is the unhappy fate of 
 
 all 
 
 * The American women are renowned for the'r 'induftry in the 
 Condul of their houfes j they fpin a great deal of wool or flax j 
 they would lofe the'rr reputation and be defpifed, if their whole 
 family were not altnoft entirely clothed with the cloth a;.d linen 
 jriEde in the houfe if the whole interior of their ruftic habita 
 tion did not bear evident marks of their cl^aMinefs and indu.try. 
 
 -}- Manufactures are much boafted of, becaufe children are 
 fmplnyed therein from their moft tender age; that is to fay, 
 that men congratulate thernfelves upon making early martyrf 
 
tr&ITEt) STATES OF AMERICA, 87 
 
 ail thofe who are born in Europe without property, 
 a'nd will not debufe themfelves by domeftic labour. 
 
 The United States,, where laborious individuals 
 may with Ib much facility become proprietors, are 
 far from that degradation ; and if they'are wife, they 
 will have, for a long time, the happinefs not to fee 
 fpun or woven among them, any of thofe delicate 
 kinds of thread and fine linens, which, fought after 
 and bought up by the opulent, are the real produc 
 tions of European mifery. 
 
 The fecond fpecies of linens contains what is 
 more properly called linen -drapery ; that is to fay, 
 cloth made of thread of different colours, "whether 
 flax or cotton j or thefe two fubilances mixed with 
 others. 
 
 The greater part of this drapery requires too com 
 plicated a procefs, too varied an apparatus, too con 
 tinued a labour, to be manufactured otherways than 
 in thofe particular eftablifhments, fituated from ne- 
 ceiiity in the neighbourhood of cities, and which 
 have no affinity with a rural life, 
 
 The art of making well the tiflue, of mixing th's 
 
 colours, of contrafting them, of imaginary agreeable 
 
 I 2>. defigns, 
 
 of thefe Innocent creatures 5 for is it not a torment to thefe poor 
 clings, vhom nature command^ us to permit to take the 
 a ; r and their fpors, until they are of riper years, and their ftrength. 
 is bee .--bis Is it not a torment to them tobeavvhcie 
 
 day, and almoft every day of their lives, employed at the fame 
 work, in an obfcure and infecled prifon ? Muft not the weari- 
 .nefs and vexation which they fuffer, obftrucl the opening of their 
 phylkal and intellectual faculties, and ilupify them ? Muft not 
 there refult from this a degenerate racf, inclined to automa- 
 tonifm and ilavery ? For mod manufactures require no other 
 than mechanical labours, which a machine would perform as 
 well as a man. It is therefore impofiible that a man condemned 
 to this kind of employ mould not become a machine j ,<nd rhr- 
 pidity and fcrvitude are joined to each other, Thefe truths can 
 not be too often repeated, not to difgutt the Europeans with the 
 mania ot manufactures; they are too far advanced to retraclj 
 but to hinder the Americans from ever following the fame caree*. 
 
91T THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 ciefigns, of preparing the linen when it is finiihed,, 
 &o. this art, extenfive, varied and cdicate, requires 
 the greateft attention. The mod important thing is 
 to do a great deal in "it at a little expence, and it is 
 the point to which the Englifh are arrived, with re- 
 ipect to that kind generally known under the name 
 of printed callico. 
 
 This will be for a long time a confiderable article 
 of commerce, between Europe and the United 
 States, which confumes a great deal of it; and it is 
 an article wherein French huluftry. left to its natural 
 force, and not being reftrained by any obftacle, need 
 not fear competition.* In this, as in molt other 
 articles, the nature of things is entirely in favour of 
 France, and fuccefs depends wholly on the will of 
 her government. 
 
 In the year 1785 the government of France in 
 vited, by an arret, foreign manufacturers of there 
 linens to come and fettle in France. 
 
 But this invitation is not made in terms fufficiently 
 lear ; or atterii^ -~ "C- fencers to come and 
 fettle amongft us; efpecially not fuch as have a little 
 energy and elevation in their characters, and it is of 
 thefe alone that we are in need. 
 
 Among different favours granted them, there is 
 one which entitles them to the enjoyment of their ft ate 
 er profeffi-jH) and of their, ufages ; in that ivhichj/iall not 
 be. contrary to Z.'iC laics of the kindom, &c> 
 
 But 
 
 * Lord Sheffield maintains In his work, that France has 
 not even linen enough for her own confumption. A cm- 
 jncrcial dictionary, printed at Lyons in 1763, afiures on the 
 *f.r.tr;: - .-, that "ranee fends a great deal abroad. If the com-, 
 fiitr of th^ dictionary fpoke truth, he might be anfw'ered ac 
 cording *o the author of Les Etudes de !a Nature '* Of what 
 <{ ufe is it to a fbate to clothe foreign nations, when one's own 
 " people are quite naked ?" Thefe two writers may be made 
 to agree, by laying that France, reftored to her energy, would 
 eafiiy furnifh linens to foreigners and her own citizens, and that 
 various interior caufei have hiuiccto prevented her from doing it v 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 89 
 
 But what fignifies all the vague expreffions of en 
 joyment, of ftate and profeffion, liberty and ufagss? 
 What ftate is here fpoken of? Is it of the political, 
 civil, religious, or domeftic ftate? Engliftimen, in 
 dependent Americans, have a political ftate, a poli 
 tical liberty, that is, a right to take part in the ad- 
 miniftration of public affairs: is this ftate under- 
 ftood ? Is the liberty of having a temple for commu 
 nion, for marriage according to that communion, 
 under ftood by the liberty of ufages? Why are not 
 thefe ufages fpecified? 
 
 And above all, what fignifies thefe words, in that 
 which JJiall not he contrary to the laws of the kingdom. If 
 they convey a clear meaning, do they not completely 
 deftroy the preceding favours granted ? or, at leaft, 
 do not they leave a great uncertainty upon that 
 which is or is not granted ? 
 
 Why is not a language clear and without evaiicn 
 made ufe of, efpecially in trsating.- with ftrangers ? 
 Inftead of an equivocal jargon, dangerous in its na 
 ture, becaufe it produces miftrufty- and may give an 
 opening for deceit, why' not fay to them in clear 
 terms, " If you come within our ftates, accompanied 
 by your wives and children, if you bring your 
 manufactures, if you eftablifti yourfelves among u^, 
 you fhall enjoy all the rights of our -fubjefts ? Thefe 
 rights are, to pofTefs property in the fulleft fecuritv, 
 and not to be deprived of it but by the laws, tri 
 bunals, &c. If you fix your abode among us, your 
 children will, without obftacle, be your heirs: you 
 iliall alfo preferve your religious opinions. When 
 there fliall be a certain number of you, you (hail 
 have a temple wherein to worlhip, according to your 
 own manner, the Everlafting Father ; and you tiiaH 
 have minifters, and hold aflemblies; fhall intermarry 
 according to your jrules, &c. If France be not 
 agreeable to yon, nothing, abfolutely nothing, (hall 
 hinder you from leaving it, and carrying with you 
 I 3 youv 
 
go ON THE COMMERCE O ? Til* 
 
 your riches." It faall be told that all this was n 
 to be faid by the arret : it was necedary then to ex 
 plain it clearly, and why were thefe obfcure word* 
 added, in that which Jliall not be contrary to the laws of 
 the kingdom ? 
 
 How fhould a German, an Italian, an Englifli* 
 man, who iliould be tempted to.eftablifh themfelves 
 in France, be acquainted with your ancient laws and 
 ordinances? Will they turn over your innumerable 
 folios? Certainly they will not, they will flay rt 
 home ; you will therefore have failed in your inten 
 tions. On the other hand, do not they know that 
 a. century ago, and. ever fince that time, thoufands 
 of ordinances were, and have been made againft 
 the Calvinifts, and that thefe ordinances are not yet 
 repealed? Ought not they to be afraid that thefe 
 would be brought forth againft them if they gave the 
 leaft offence? They will remain at home, and once 
 more you have miffed your aim. 
 
 It is the more necelfary for monarchies not to 
 difguife under a captious form the advantages by 
 which they feek to entice Grangers; as -free ftates, 
 fuch as Ireland and Independent America, do not 
 fubjecl: emigrants to any capitulation or conftraint: 
 they offer them all the rights of citizens the moment 
 they fet their feet on free ground: and what rights! 
 In Ireland that of voting at elections; in the United 
 States, that of being elected themfelves ; and, con- 
 fequently the moft feducing right, becaufe it is the 
 moft proper one to maintain the dignity of a man 
 who has dignity; the moil proper to give it to him 
 who has it not. 
 
 When a nation perceives the necefilty of enticing 
 grangers to fettle in it, nothing ought to be fpared, 
 elpecialiy in flatesfar advanced in civilization. 
 
 It is a means of regenerating ^morals, if it be pof- 
 'fible to regenerate them, and cfpecially to encourage 
 
 induftryj, 
 
TJKITED STATES OF AMERICA. 911 
 
 induftfy ; for in order to exift in a ftrange land, and 
 to gain in it confideration and confidence, emigrants 
 are forced to have good morals, probity, and exacti 
 tude. Their example cannot but have a falutary in 
 fluence upon the nation which receives them into 
 its bofofn. 
 
 Otherwife, having opinions, habitudes, and know 
 ledge, different from thofe of that nation, they may 
 help it to break its bad cuftoms, to give it a greater 
 extent in its views, more cofmopolitifm, or of that 
 character proper for approaching nations to each 
 other, and for diminifhing national antipathies. 
 
 When the advantages which a country acquires 
 by Grangers who fix themfelves in it are conlidered, 
 it is aftonifhing to fee governments think fo little 
 about them, and frequently not to refpect their rights. 
 They ought, on the contrary, to protect a ftranger fo 
 much the more as he feems lefs fupported by the laws 
 than a citizen; that he is unacquainted with them 5 
 that he may eafily be the victim of artifice and chi 
 canery ; that it frequently happens that he does not 
 underftand the language; finally, that being alone, 
 "he has neither family, friends, nor patrons. 
 
 In this fituation, the ftranger ought to be envi 
 roned by the fafeguard of a particular adminiftfation, 
 which mould watch over his iafety; but it is the 
 reverfe of this in many ftates.* 
 
 Thus, whilfl we fee in thofe flates who under 
 ftand their interefts better, Frenchmen direct the 
 
 greateft 
 
 * If a ftranger be fufpedled, few examinations areniade; 
 he is arrefted liberty is left to a citizen, or at leaft he is treat 
 ed mildlyj the ftranger is imprifoned : the fabaltern, infolent 
 by reafon of the indifference of his fuperiors, treats him with 
 feverity : for what is there to fear from him ? Is the word 
 with them all, fet at liberty will that ftranger go and make 
 the temple of chicane ring with his complaints ? He fears, 
 left it may be a new foreft, - he flics, curling that inhofpitabie 
 country, 
 
gS' ON THE COMMERCE OF 
 
 greateft part of their manufactures ; few Grangers 
 are feen to come and eftablifli themfelves amongft ua, 
 I could quote, as a proof of what I advance, 
 known fa&s, quite recent; but I will not write a 
 book upon- every article of exportation; I will con 
 fine myfelf to faying that great liberty, and few re?ti- 
 lations,* are. the two beft means of improving the 
 linen manufactures in all countries, as well as in 
 France. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 Silks ) Ribbons, Silk Stockings, Gold and Silver Lace, &V. 
 
 There are upwards of feventy thoufand Iborrrs 
 and frames employed in thefe articles, and one half 
 of the filk made ufe of is produced in the kingdom;. 
 
 The other ftates of Europe, except Spain and 
 Italy, are obliged to procure from abroad the whole 
 of the filk neccfiary for the manufactures which they 
 have eftabli flied, in imitation of thofe of France. 
 
 If there be added to the advantage which thefe 
 circumftarsces give to the French, thdr fingular ap 
 titude for the manufacture of every article of luxury; 
 their incredible fecundity in varying thefe articles; 
 the abfolute and general empire allowed them over 
 the tafte and mode which prefide in thefe manufao 
 tures; an empire fo particular, as to be every where 
 copied; no doubt will remain, that French filks, 
 
 ribbons, 
 
 * I might quote, as a proof cf what I have faid in the courfe 
 f this work, that even die regulations which appear favour 
 able to induitry, are prejudicial to it; the new arret palled :n 
 favour of French linens, fubjeds them-to a {ramp duty, under 
 the pretext of preventing fraud. The duty appears moderate, 
 yet the manufacturers are fenfibly injured by it ; moreover it 
 retrains them, in fubjefting them to the caprices of revenue 
 clerks; and this does not prevent fraud; therefore, to prevent 
 the manufacturer from being robbed, his money is taken from 
 him, and the robbery ftill takes place \ he would prefer heirt 
 left to defend himfelf againfl thieves* , 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 93 
 
 ribbons, fiik ftockings, and lace, will be preferred 
 to all others in the United States* 
 
 It is not to be feared that they will be manufac 
 tured there; from the cares which the infect that 
 produces the fiik requires, to the arrival of the (luff 
 in the warehoufe where it is to be fold, almoft all h 
 workmanfhip; and the workmanihip of Europe inuft 
 for a long time, if not for ever, be even cheaper 
 than that of the United States. 
 
 The confumption f of thefe articles cannot be 
 
 very 
 
 * Yet Lord Sheffield gives for competition with France, Eng 
 land and Spain. It is to be obferved that England cannot un 
 dertake with advantage thofe manufactures wherein gold and 
 fiiver are introduced, nor in general thofe which have for their 
 bafjs the ufe of brilliant metals. Fire is neceffary as an agent 
 in fuch manufactures, and a coal fire is prejudicial to them. 
 The atmofphere in England is perpetually charged with ful- 
 phureous vapours, where contact tarniflies, in a very little time, 
 gold and fiiver incz* Szc. and this perhaps is the motive, which 
 more than manners has baniCvjd, and will for ever exclude this 
 kjnd of luxury from England ; and it is not a misfortune. 
 
 f- Our defign bsing to dilluade the free Americans fro-n wifh* 
 ing for manufactures, we ought not to lofe the prefent oppor 
 tunity of defcribing to them the abufes and inconveniencies 5n- 
 feparabie from thefe eftablifhments. There is ncne which has 
 had more fuccefs in France than that of fiik. Yet fee the fright 
 ful defer! ption given of it by M. Mayet, director of the manu 
 factures of the King of Pruflia, in his Memoir on the manu- x 
 falu.-e; of Lyons. (Paris, Moutard 1786.) He indicates as 
 cr.tfes cf the decadency of the manufacture 1 ), the drunkenr.efa 
 of workmen en Sundays, the infection of their difmal lodgings, 
 bankruptcies which are the refult of ignorance and difho 
 the cuTation of vvcrk dming court mournings, which occafioii 1 * 
 fame workmen to emigrate, and others to fteal, the mtfconduct 
 of revenue officers, the monop )iy of fiik, Sec. abufas f> much 
 the more alaTTiing, fays M. Mayet, as they are, ftr the moil: 
 part, the offsprings of luxury, and which are produced eir AV 
 by acquired riches, or the thirl of acquiring them j it fcems as 
 
 ;y could not but fpring up in manufafturcs. 
 \VLo can recommend the eftablifhmcnt of manufactures, OR 
 reading the following reflections of the fame author ? 
 
 " The concurrence of manufactures neceffitates their cheap- 
 44 nsfa: to have a preference of falc, it is neceffary to fell at a. 
 
94 w THE COMMERCE or TH 
 
 very confiderable there,* if America takes advar> 
 t?.q;e of that opening to which nature calls her. Rib- 
 K; is excepted, the reft are proper for great cities 
 on y; where vanity being inceiHuidy excited, IT, 
 drefs a defirabie and almoft neceilary objeci. But 
 thefe great cities will, without doubr, be v<rry rare 
 in the United States. It is ftill more certain -.hat the 
 confumption of fi'iks does not, at }.n;it::ic r fcrrn 
 there a confiderable articie; that it will augment but 
 very flowly, and in a manner almofl ini'enfible. The 
 Americans ought undoubtedly to be congratulated 
 upon it. Their manners will be good and fimple as 
 long as they do not contract a want of theie articles} 
 but if they do not want them for themfelves, they 
 will haveaccafion for them to farm branches of their 
 fmuggling commerce with the Spaniards. Nature 
 in vices them to carry on this commerce in aii advan 
 tageous manner, both by fea. and land. ^ 
 
 It 
 
 tl lower price 5 tire wages or" v/r.rk'inen mail therefore be mode- 
 t( rate, and they niuil gain no moie than will rind them in. 
 " necoiTdrtes s . the workman i&uft never ce fulTered to enrich 
 " himfeif. In bicojr.ifig rich, he becomes diHkult, exaftin^^ 
 " enters into combinations, impofes ia~.vs, becomes diffipated 
 ** andirile, he caufes the piice of worlcmanfhip to incve^ie, and 
 " manufaiflures to fail.** THUS RICH STUFFS OUGHT vs 
 
 BE WATEKES WTTH.THS TE.AXS OF THE WORKMAN WHO 
 M A N U F -\ C T U ? r E T H E JA , 
 
 Ought not th : 3 lafl phrafe to oifgud the free Americans for 
 ever v .')ia o*" manufa^ures of luxury? Lft them 
 
 reS-rcl, that to fupport the fil'c manufadtiires of Lyons, the fame 
 author propofes to the King of Fiance, to 4'acrifice his tafle for 
 Simplicity of drefs, and to wear brilliant clothes, &c. 
 
 * Lord Sheffield fays, that it is not the firth part of Indian 
 fi'ks, &c. but what fignifies this calculation ? The country 
 which confumes the greatefl quantity of. iVik ftufl's, does net, 
 pe haps, confume the twentieth part of that winch Lord Shef 
 field means by Indian iks. 
 
 f* This commerce will be better eftabliihed by land The 
 rUks there will be lefs The great rivers which water thofe :m- 
 menfe countries will favour it. A maritime commerce muft 
 be protected by a naval force, and the nature of things will hin- . 
 i r :r'K4. n s from having one for a long time to con 
 
UNITED STATES Of AMERICA. 95 
 
 It is known that wretched individuals, who vege 
 tate in South-America, matters and (laves, all ilgii 
 after nothing but luxury, pomp and drefs. Elegant 
 and fliining fluffs of France; her filks and laces will 
 therefore be fought after, demanded, and bought up 
 with avidity. 
 
 However it may be with refpecl to this commerce, 
 which exiils but in futurity, and which mu.fi: be pre-' 
 ceded by other circumftapces, there is at prefent a 
 certain confumption of filks, ribbons, &c. in the 
 United States ; and the French ought to be anxious 
 to fupply them. 
 
 I will obferve upon this fubjecl:, that if the French 
 government ordered that the regular packet-boats 
 going from France and America fhoulcl receive as 
 much merchandize on board as their deflination 
 would permit, little ventures cf our filks, fluffs, rib 
 bons, gauzes, ftockings, &rc. would be frequently 
 fent out, and thefe articles would ferve better than 
 any other to eftablifh uninterrupted connexions, and 
 which by the infight they give, and the experiments 
 which they afford an opportunity of making, con 
 duct nature herfelf to thofe great commercial inter- 
 courfes to which we ought to afpire. 
 
 The facilities which packet-boats offer for the 
 fending out of merchandize of value and of little 
 incumbrance ought not to be neglected, fince, in 
 this clafs of merchandize, we have things which have 
 a decided preference. I will return to thofe packet- 
 boats which it is important to keep upand to increafe.j 
 and it is to be wifiied, that no monopoly of right or 
 inct may take pofleffion of them, in order to carrv 
 une branch of commerce in exclufion of others.. 
 
 SECTION 
 
96 OK THE COMMERCE OF IMS 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 Hats. 
 
 Although a fine hat be called a beaver, it does not 
 follow that Canada and the United Northern States 
 are more favourable to the fabrication of hats than 
 France. Hats, purely of beaver, do not wear well, 
 and are inconvenient on account of their weight. 
 The fineft, handfomeft, and beft hats, contain but 
 little of the fur of that animal, which we efteem at 
 too high a price, when we think of the lofs of Ca 
 nada. Wool, the furs of the hares and rabbits ; the 
 hair of goats, which, in fact, is wool, and camels 
 hair, are more neceflary for making of hats than the 
 fur of beavers. 
 
 The few hats made of beaver in the United States 
 will be fufficient for their confumption. The Ame 
 ricans muft, however, be incefTantly told this great 
 truth, that manufactures are not proper for them ex 
 cept in thofe articles which are immediately aflbciated 
 M'ith agriculture, and which facilitate its operations. 
 That of hats is not of this kind. 
 
 Europe will therefore furnifh hats to the Ameri 
 cans. And of what great importance is this object, 
 when the rapid increafe of their population is con- 
 iidered? It may be affirmed, that every nation ca 
 pable of fending them out merchandize, will fend 
 them hats; but thofe of France will have the prefe 
 rence. This manufacture had there its origin. The 
 French alone hav<e carried it elfewhere, like many 
 other things; but it has never ceafed to improve in 
 Trance. 
 
 French hats are always the befl fulled and dyed, 
 and the mofl agreeable. When government mall 
 have refolved to do for wools that which it has done 
 for mulberry trees, the manufacture of hats will be 
 ib much the more advantageous, as we lhall be lefs 
 
 tributary 
 
UNIT! 1 . 9 STATES OF AMERICA.. 97 
 
 fHt&tary to foreigners for the articles employed 
 sherein. 
 
 SECTION VIII. 
 
 Leather. 
 Sfoffs, Boots, Saddles, &c. 
 
 To what caufe ought the great fuperiority of Eng~ 
 lilh leather to be attributed over ours? Why is there 
 in this leather-work of all kinds that neatnefs, that 
 feducing appearance, which we have not yet ap 
 proached? It mult be repeated, that in England 
 men honour the profeffion of a tanner, and pride 
 themfclves upon it, whilft it is the contrary in France. 
 An Englifh tanner, fhoemaker, or faddler, does not 
 ^uit his trade when he is rich; but makes his riches 
 ferve, in proportion as they augment, to give luftre 
 to his profeffion, to multiply his workfhops, to ex 
 tend his affairs, to become important even in the 
 article which has furniilied him the means of doing 
 it. The leather which comes from the tanneries 
 whofe owner is in eafy circumftances, is always well 
 prepared, becaufe he can advance fums of money, 
 and give to hides the time neceflary for their progrefs 
 through his tan-yard. A poor tanner is always 
 prefFed by his wanting to take the leather out of the 
 tan-pit, where it is neceflary it fhould remain a long 
 time to acquire a good quality. In general, it is im- 
 poffible with this penury, unknown to the Englifh, 
 that there fnould be time to manufacture or fabricate 
 good merchandize. Thofe who employ the leather, 
 acquire no reputation in their profeffions but in 
 proportion to great provificns made before hand, 
 which puts it in their power to furniih nothing but 
 leather improved by being kept. It will be alked, 
 how the wholefale dealers manage when they begin 
 bufinefs? They find credit, if in their apprenticc- 
 K fhips, 
 
9 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 mips, which precede their eftabli(hments,'they have 
 acquired a good reputation.* 
 
 This credit is then fupported, not only by the 
 certainty of fuccefs, but alfo by that of fee'ing'them 
 become a conftant means of confumption. 
 
 Such is the art of the Englifh to fupport and in- 
 creafe their commerce in every thing, and every 
 where. If \ve could put it in practice, all our com 
 modities of leather would foon equal the perfection 
 of theirs, fince we do not otherwife want materials. 
 Their being beforehand with us, ought not to dif- 
 courage any body ; but it is neceflary to the fuccefs 
 of this rivality. that government fhould deliver the 
 tanners from the (hackles with which they have fet 
 tered 
 
 * We may readily perceive, that this hope of being feme day 
 well efbblifhed with great fuccours, is worth all the books of 
 morality. The engravings of Hogarth, which reprefent the 
 fate of the idle apprentice, paint, to the life, Engli/h manners. 
 The intention of the workman is not to become SECRETAIRE 
 DU Roi.j| He marries the daughter of the good matter who 
 has brought him up, and fucceeds him in the fame bufinefs which 
 he has contributed to extend. 
 
 It is not that the French tanner, who barters his prcfcfrion 
 again/I a brevet of Secretaire du Roi, cr commiflyry of \vr, 
 ought to be blamed. He reafons well. He fees that no con 
 federation is attached to talents and induftry, and he delays not 
 to buy himfelf a title. It is therefore wrong to j"ke merchants 
 and artizans, who, for money, get themfelvss enregiirered in a 
 privileged clafs. It is an evil to the irate, but it is not the fault 
 of thofe who purchafe. The fault is due to the kind of difrrace 
 from which government has not yet delivered the ignoble. 
 
 It ought to be obferved here, how fatal the fpecuiation v.hich 
 eft-biifted this order of things has been to the nation. To pro 
 cure money, offices werecreatec; \\hich, b? ennobling, induces 
 the ignoble to pvrchsfe them ; they are difgufted with their fitua- 
 tion by .te'ng ciifhcnoured, and for a few millions of livres, 
 which 'his pitiful operation fi'wly procures, commerce is ruined 
 by having its cap : tal dirnini/hed : that commerce, which, by 
 being fupported, would continually produce millions to the ftate. 
 
 }| A petty title of bought difcinc"lion, which, in the language 
 of ridiculous pride/ is conftrued into nobility. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 99 
 
 tered them,* and fupprefs or diminifh the enormous 
 duties with which the tanneries are loaded. f 
 
 K 2 SECTION 
 
 * Two caufes have ilngularly contributed to rum the tan 
 neries in Fiance. The confiderable duties impofed fucceffiveiy 
 upon leather (fupprelled afterwards in part through prudence) 
 and efTentially the fevere infpection that the COMMIS (in this 
 cafe a kind of excifeman) may make every hour of the day and 
 night at the tanners. Nothing difgufts a man, who has fome 
 energy, more with his profefiion, than this difgraceful fervitiui, 
 than the fear, than theconftraint which arifes from the idea of 
 being dirturbed at every moment, by his fire- fide, by contempti 
 ble fatellites who live on the mifchief only which they do, and 
 whom the certainty of impunity, intercft and habitude, renders 
 unmerciful, infolent, and frequently perjured. 
 
 Confiderable procefies have been feen to arife from thefe 
 vilits, and very rich tanners to quit a profeflion which promifed 
 them nothing but torment, angui/h, lofs and law fuits. It 
 will be a long time before tha evil which the farm has done 
 t) the tannaries be repaired. Interested men, who think to 
 confole us for real tvils, which we fun\:r, by thofe which they 
 i-.ippoie amon^j our neighbours, fay and repeat, that the fame 
 vexation of COMMIS and of cuftcms produces in England the 
 fame effects. This may fometimes happen j but there is a law 
 to punilh them, without a hope of pardon, when they overleap 
 the boundaries prefcribed to them. And thefe boundaries are 
 much more contracted than ours, which the following fadl will 
 
 Two officers of the excife, having taken it into their heads 
 to follow a man carrying a hamper of wine to the houfe of a 
 particular perfon, entered with him in contempt of the lawj 
 the matter of the houfe called Ibme conftables and charged them 
 with the officers: they were taken before Alderman Hamett, 
 who read the Acl of Parliament to the culprits, and fent then*. 
 to prifon, for having violated the rights of citizens. 
 
 Mercure politique 1786, p. 286, 
 
 }- The following is a lift of duties paid on leather, whether 
 it be French cr foreign; and it muft be here obferved, that 
 the leather of France is far from fupplying our wants. We 
 get the greatcft part of that which we confumc from the Spa- 
 
IOO ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 SECTION IX. 
 
 Glafs Hottfes. 
 
 Englilb glafs ware is brought to great perfection, 
 and England makes it a great objetft of exportation. 
 
 America 
 
 nifh and Portuguefe colonies, from the Levant, and from the 
 coail of Barbary. 
 
 Green leather, French or foreign, pays on livres fols 
 entering the kindom by the hundredweight j 5 
 
 Leather worked up or tanned, pays after 
 wards the following duties 
 
 Leather and fkins - z f. per pound 
 
 Goat fkins - 4 
 
 Ten fois per pound, which gives more up 
 on leather i 
 
 Goat fkins z 
 
 Genera! average - 4 & 
 an.i by the hundred weight - 22 1O 
 
 Cudom to the general farm - c, o 
 
 Total 25 15 
 
 Leather and fkins pay a duty of a third of their value. 
 
 When in 1759 a duty was impofed, the king ordained that 
 thefe two fols upon leather and jfcins, and the four fols upon 
 goat fkins, fhould be reimburfed to the manufacturer, when he 
 fhould have fent his merchandize abroad. 
 
 But adminiftration demanded and obtained leave to reim- 
 burfe two-third* only. 
 
 Since that time there has been a new import of ten fols per 
 pound, which makes the duty one i'ol more upon leather, and 
 two fois upon goat fkins. 
 
 This new duty has completed the ruin of the tanneries. 
 
 There ii another abufe, which merits to be ob!erved. It is 
 that the admiiiJittetion receives its duties undiminiflied upon 
 Jeather half rotten, fcraped or tanned. 
 
 After thefe iadts, it miy be comprehended, that the tsnners 
 in France are reduced to a faiajl number, and are in general 
 miferabie. 
 
 important n'Ac relative to tie article of leather. 
 he note on the duties paid on leather, is true with refpect 
 to the reality of the duties j but we have been convinced, fince 
 
 n 
 
 T 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1OI 
 
 America ought to prefer Englifh glafs to ours, be- 
 eaufe we ourielves prefer it to that of our own ma- 
 nufaclory, common bottles excepted, which we 
 make better, and which are of a finer glafs than that 
 of the Englifli. But although this opinion may hurt 
 the interett of thofe who have fuch eftabliftiments, 
 it is neceflary to fay, that France, far from encou 
 raging them, cfjght to wifli for their deftruction. 
 This kind of manufacture deffroys combuftibles, of 
 which the rapid progrefs is alarming, when it is com- 
 pared to the flownefs with which they are produced. 
 TheEnglifl),feated upon their coal mines, are little 
 uneafy about the voracity of furnaces wherein glafs 
 is melted; but although it be faid that we have the 
 fame advantage, it is ftill permitted to doubt of it. 
 And moreover it is not fufficient to have immenfc 
 coal mines under foot, it is neceflary to be able to 
 work them at a little expence. Glafs man-u factories, 
 placed within the reach of mines, fhould not be too 
 far diftant from the fea, for the tranfports becoming 
 expenfive, would give to the Englifn an advantage 
 over us, who, from every part oftheir ifland, can eafily 
 get to the fea. Finally, our own confumption of 
 glafs-ware, much greater than that of the Englifli, 
 may already be too confiderable, if it be compared 
 with the means to which the ever growing fcarcity 
 of combuflibles reduces us.* 
 
 K 3. To 
 
 the note was printed, that a middle price cannot be fettled be 
 tween hides and calf and goat fkins. There are at ieaft two 
 hundred of the two firit for one of the laft. We have been 
 equally convinced, that the hundred weight of fkins bought at 
 thirty-feven livres, and fold after the tanning at fixty-four 
 livres fixteen fols, produces to the tanner a profit of no more 
 than five livres five fols. 
 
 This eafily explains how the tanners have been ruined. 
 
 TRANSLATOR. 
 
 * The fcarcity of wood, which begins to be maaifeft, be 
 comes fo much the more alarming, as combuftibles which have 
 bean attempted to be fubftituted for it have not fuccecded, ani- 
 
OS Till. COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 To be fully convinced that we ought not to- put 
 glafs-ware into the lift of articles of exportation to 
 America, it is only neceflary to reflect upon the fitua- 
 tionof the United States. They have immenfe forefts 
 to clear, confequently it is highly proper that they 
 fhould eftablifh glafs manufactories, and increafe 
 them as much as poffible. The labour employed to 
 deftray the woods for the clearing"of lands, at the 
 fame time that it difpofes the land to culture, will 
 ferve for the production of a very extenfive object 
 of manufacture, therefore the utility of this deftruc- 
 tion is double to the Americans.* It cannot be 
 doubted, that this consideration will ftrike them, that 
 they w ill one day conceive the project of furnifhing 
 Europe with glafs-ware, of adding thisarticle to thofe 
 which they can exchange for fuch European pro 
 ductions as are improper for little ftates to cultivate 
 or manufacture within themfelves. It can be no 
 more doubted, that France will gain greatly by feting 
 her glafs manufactories deftroyed by thofe of the A- 
 mericans, who will fell us glafs-ware in exchange 
 for our wines, cloths, printed linens, filks, c. la 
 the mean time, it would undoubtedly be a falutary 
 meafure, to open the kingdom to the importation of 
 foreign glais. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 that luxury and population naturally inclined to increafe, efpe- 
 cialiy with commerce, the confumption of combuftibles will be 
 doubled. 
 
 * This is what is done in New- Jerfey for the forges. It-is 
 jEipoffible, fays the au-thor of the CULTIVATED R AMERI 
 CA jNj to travel acrofs this province without meeting with forne 
 little iron forges. If a proprietor has a great marfh full of 
 \vood, and that he wifhes to clear it, he begins by making a 
 ctyke at one extremity to flop the water of the rivulets which 
 run aerofs it. He fixes in this water the wheels neceflary for 
 the manufacture of iron, &c. And in a fmall number of years 
 the traveller, who had feen in pafllng by nothing but a vaft 
 pond full of trees thrown down, and had heard the noifeof ham-, 
 suers aiid anvils, fees welltaclofsd fields, valt meadows, &c e 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. fO3' 
 
 SECTION X. 
 Iron and Steel. 
 
 The confumption of thefe two articles is immenfc 
 in the United States; the fingle article of nails 
 amounts to confiderable fums. This will not appear 
 extraordinary, when it is remembered, that all the 
 houfes, all the inclofures of the Ameicans, are of 
 wood, that they build a great number of fliips, which < 
 require frequent reparations. 
 
 It is the fame with refpect to faws,. fhovels, hoes, 
 and in general all the inftruments neceflary to agri 
 culture and navigation. 
 
 The Americans are fingularly curious in the choice 
 of the firft neceffity. They have therein the gene 
 ral tafte of the Englifli; they will have that only 
 which is good. On comparing thofe which they 
 make themfelves with the. tools made in France, it 
 muft.be.- acknowledged that we are far from that per 
 fection at which they are arrived in them: this per^- 
 fection is owing to the eafe of the labourer, and to 
 the confideration attached to agriculture. Imper 
 fection is a neceffar.y confequence of reftnunt and 
 difhonour. 
 
 The Americans have attempted to make iron and 
 fleel. Many manufactories have been fet up at New^- 
 York, in New-Jerfey, and in Pennfylvania: it is 
 true that thefe manufactures are few in number, but 
 they will neceflarily increafe for the reafons which 
 I mall hereafter give. 
 
 England heretofore exported a confidcrable quan 
 tity of iron. and fteeU* her mines not having yet fur- 
 
 niflied 
 
 * To favour the exportation of thefe articles, the parliament 
 had forbidden all the. eftabli foment of mills and other machines 
 in. the United States for making of Aeel. See 25 Geo. II ch. 
 09. fe&. 10. 
 
 Jt may be judged by this cucumftaiKs to what a point the 
 
IO4 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 niflied iron proper for certain inftruments, fhe had 
 recourfe to thofe of Ruflia, and efpecially to thofe of 
 Sweden, whofe iron and fteelare moft efteemed. She 
 did no more with regard to America than ftand be 
 tween her and others, and this circuit augmented the 
 expences of the colonift, without procuring him any 
 benefit. This will exifl no longer, becaufe the A- 
 mericans are about to trade dire6tly with the Swedes 
 and Ruffians. 
 
 Lord Sheffield calculates, that one year with ano 
 ther England imported 50,000 tons of foreign iron, 
 of which from 15 to 20,000 was afterwards exported 
 to the colonies either in its natural ftate or worked np, 
 
 The profit to the mother country was, according 
 to his Lord{hip, 12,000,000 lives, or thereabouts. 
 
 During the war, and fince the peace, fome exports 
 of this kind have been made from France to the 
 United States; but they did not fucceed. Accuftom- 
 ed, according to the principles of monopolizers, who 
 have hitherto directed our foreign commerce, to fur- 
 nim. our colonies with brittle utenfils, and otherwife 
 very imperfect, our merchants were willing to treat 
 the independent Americans like their (laves in their 
 iflands;* and the Americans refufed our merchan- 
 
 dife. 
 
 mother country, or rather the monopolizers, can carry avari- 
 cioufnefsj fince the Americans were forbidden to enjoy thofe 
 advantages which nature had thrown before them. Mono 
 poly refpefts nothing. When thcfe attempts are confidered, 
 ought we to be furprifed at the eternal mifundemanding be 
 tween colonies and the mother country, a mifunderftanding 
 which finishes either by the ruin of the former, or their fepa- 
 ration from the latter r' 
 
 * The Chamber of Commerce of Marfeilles, in an inftruc- 
 tion very well drawn up, addrefied in 1784*10 the merchants, 
 had recommended them to at contrarily " Recollecl," faid it, 
 " that you hava not ignorant or enflaved colon i ft s to treat with,- 
 *' but a free people; and, confequently, rapidly tending to per- 
 tr fedVion. If you v/ifii to fucceed, aft with fidelity, upon ex- 
 " tended and liberal views/' &c. &c. 
 
 I have ut scad this iftflrudion. A man of letters, wbo has 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IO$ 
 
 dife. They faid, that we did not even know how- 
 to make nails; and, in ftrift truth, they were right 
 in their allertion. They preferred the iron and fteel 
 of England, although the duties on exportation in- 
 creafed their dearnels. 
 
 It is probable enough that the Englifh legiflature 
 will fupprefs them according to the advice of Lord 
 Sheffield; and this, joined to the benefit of the ceco- 
 nomy procured by the difcovery of LordDundonald, 
 and of Meflrs. Watts and Boulton, for heating fur 
 naces at half the common expence, will undoubtedly 
 produce a reduction in the price of iron. 
 
 This diminution is one of the caufes which muft 
 necefiarily hinder us from attemptinga rivality in this 
 particular with the Englim; but there is another, 
 which is ftill more decifive. 
 
 In fa6t, the obfervations made heretofore upon the 
 neceffity of deflroying our glafs manufactories, ap 
 ply naturally to that confiderable branch of iron 
 work, of which the workmanfhip is the leaft ex- 
 pence, and which requires a great quantity of com- 
 buftible materials. The United States are obliged 
 to deftroy their immenfe forefts: France ought, on 
 the contrary, to think of re-producing hers: there 
 fore, the founderies and forges will offer in America 
 the advantage of turning to profit woods, which, 
 without thefe.manufatures, it would be equally ne- 
 ceflary to burn: whilft in France, wood and char 
 coal becoming every day more fcarce and dear, ren 
 ders thefe eftablilhments more expenfive. Now, as 
 the abundance in which iron mines are every where 
 
 found, 
 
 refided 'a long time In the country, has given me the ideas of if, 
 which 1 have, related. We muft not be Airprifed to find in the 
 merchants of Marfeiilcs intelligence ON COMMERCE so RARE 
 ANYVM3EREBLSE. Lefs fiiackled, commerce mult offer more 
 fuiid ideas. 
 
 The fame energy is found In an excellent Memorial on the 
 Franchifes of this city, lately published againft the general farrc,[i 
 and of which y/e fhai! have occafion to fpcak. 
 
IO& ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 found,* makes the price of iron depend almoft en-- 
 tirely on that of combuftibles neceffary to melt it, it 
 is evident that the United States have over us, and 
 even over the Englifh, a considerable advantage. 
 
 Moreover, forges are a part of the equipage necef- 
 fary to country labour; for, if it were necefuirv to 
 feek at a diftance the utennls of agriculture, the pro- 
 grefs of clearing of lands would foon be flopped 
 the productions would not pay the expences.-Thefe 
 would ftill be increafed by the repeated neceffity of 
 fubftituting new utenfils to thofe which there would 
 be no means of repairing. As foon as the people 
 have mines of iron as foon as they are led by the 
 nature of things, and by neceffity,, to eftablifh foun- 
 deries and forges, it is n-ot a long, time before they 
 renounce all foreign aid in the articles of iron;f 
 therefore, the Americans are, as I have obferved, 
 already provided- with thafc eftablilh merits: and as 
 Englifli induftry has eflablifhed and directed them, 
 they are all at that degree of perfection which we 
 have not yet attained.... 
 
 Let it be remarked, that thefe manufactures being 
 joined to a life of agriculture, and carried on in the 
 midft of it for its ufes, can have none of the perni 
 cious influences which ought to be feared in thofe 
 complicated manufactures which are obliged to^be 
 concentrated in the inclofures of citks, whofe de 
 ft motive 
 
 * It is now proved, that there are many of them in Ame 
 rica. Mines of tin, and of very good cop; er, have alfo been 
 difcov?red there. 
 
 \- Perhaps nails muft be excepted. Their price will be a 
 long time in Europe lower than in America. If, as Mr. Smith 
 afferts in his Treatife on the Wealth of Nations, a young man 
 of twenty years of age can make 2,400 nails a day, let it be 
 }udged to what a degree of cheapness low-priced workmanihip 
 ought to reduce them } therefore, wherever workmanfhip is dear, 
 mils cannot be made. Yet we read in the American Gazettes, 
 that there has been eftabliflied in one of the States a manufacture. 
 f nails. Will this fucceed? Futurity will fhcvv us. 
 
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 107 
 
 ctructive employ exhatifts the natural ftrength of 
 men, by corrupting their morals. 
 
 Therefore, to refume this article far from en 
 couraging the exportation of iron manufa<5hired in 
 France, we ought, for our own intereft, to encou 
 rage the importation of foreign iron, becaufe manu 
 factures of this kind take away combuftibles from 
 things moreprefiii-igly wanted, and from lefs deftruc- 
 tive manufactures, where vvorkmanfiiip produces a 
 greater profit. 
 
 This, however, is not the cafe with every article 
 of curiofity of iron, ileel, or copper v^ork, wherein 
 the workmanfhip exceeds the other expences. They 
 belong to that weak organization which the Ameri 
 cans ought not to envy. But it muft not be diffimu- 
 Jated, that a competition with the En gli ill will, on 
 this head, be difficult to maintain: their great ability 
 and addrefs in the diftribution of work and different 
 procefTes, the invention of which has not been con- 
 framed by any error* or falfe view of the admiui- 
 
 ftration 
 
 * Thofe falfe views cannot be too much deplored thofe nar 
 row ideas thofe fears of ignorance, which (hatch from the 
 hands of induftry the happy inventions which are proper to en 
 rich a whole nation ! Who can calculate the riches that England 
 owes to the fole application of the coining-mill, or engine and 
 dye, vvhofe free ufe ha:> been left to all the manufactures which 
 it was capable of improving in accelerating their efFe&s ? How 
 many proceedings more ingenious and expeditious has this mi- 
 chine produced? Happily for England, there have not been 
 found in her bofom thofe able minifters, who, feeing that this 
 machine is of ufe in making money, have drawn from it the 
 profound confequence that every one would make falfe money 
 if the free ufe of it were permitted : as if it was poflible to make 
 falfe money for a long time; as if the more general ufe of the 
 machine did not awaken the public, and even private intereft, 
 and render them more attentive to abufes which might be com 
 mitted; as if its ufe would not produce much more benefit to 
 the revenue, than it could deprive it of by the falfe coinage of 
 money, which can never be either extenfive or dangerous. 
 When, therefore, will thofe who hold die reins of empire calcu 
 late like ftatefrnen ? 
 
IO8 ON THE COMMERCE OF T.IE 
 
 ilration of England, -give them over us a confider- 
 able advantage; yet it is not impoffible for us to ba 
 lance it, for this diftribution of work and proceed 
 ings are neither fecrets norfuperior to French induf- 
 try. Let government adopt and follow the trivial 
 maxim c Whowillhavetheend willfind the means.' 
 Let it in confequence not interdict any of the means, 
 and this induftry will not have to envy the fuccefs of 
 our rivals. 
 
 SECTION 
 
 It is true that at prefent artifts are permitted to have mills, 
 &c. by conforming themfelves to certain formalities, always 
 formalities ? No other are required in England than thofe of 
 being able to pay the expence of the machine, and has Eng 
 land perceived from it any pernicious effects ? Has falfe money 
 overturned public order, iinpoveriihed the nation, or diminished 
 her revenues? 
 
 With what difficulty has the invention of the coining-mill 
 made its way into France ? It is due to an induftrious French 
 man of the fifteenth century, named Briois. Perfecuted for 
 this difcovery, he was obligee to take refuge in England 5 the 
 Engli/h received him favourably, and put his invention into 
 execution. Another Frenchman of the name of Warin, of 
 the laft century, wished to procure the advantages of it to his 
 countrymen; he experienced a like abfurd perfecution ; and with 
 out the fupport of the Chancellor Sequier, he would have failed 
 in his attempt. I do not allow myfelf to fpeak of the per 
 fection to which M. Droz pretends to have brought the coin 
 ing mill at prefent; but by the vexations he fuffers, it may be 
 judged that he has in fact fimplified that machine, that he has 
 rendered fewer hands neceffary, and the coinage of money more 
 perfect and expeditious ; two advantages very precious in thif art, 
 as the expences of it cannot be too much reduced, and the ex 
 actitude and perfelion of the flamp of money are the fureft 
 means of difconcerting coiners. What fatal genius is it there 
 fore which purfues induftry in France ? That of companies, 
 of corporations, of privileges. As foon as a happy difcovery 
 attacks their profits, they employ even the bafeft means to de 
 fend them ; int-igue, faifchood, feduction, are all legitimate 
 with the people which comp'>fe thofe afTociations, whiift the 
 man of genius, (landing alone for the moft part, and who at 
 taches too great a value to his time to proftitute it to thefe 
 manoeuvres, generally experiences ths mcft humiliating dif^uffo. 
 
NITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1O$ 
 
 SECTION XL 
 
 and Silverfmitlis* Artitles 9 ClQck- I W9rk) CuV. 
 
 If the inhabitants of the United States concentrate 
 their labours and pleafure in a life of huibandry ; if 
 they continue to feek happinefs, not in pomp, but in 
 naturc herfelf, and in a fimplicity of manners; in 
 that fimplicity which naturally produces eafe, and 
 the population and profperity of ftates; they will not 
 feek after, but diidain plate and jewels, to which we 
 attach fo great a price. They will referve precious 
 metals for. mints and commerce. It is not, however, 
 to be prefumed, that this order of things mould long 
 fubfifl in great cities, and efpecially in frequented 
 ports; European tafteand wants prevail in America,* 
 and French induftry ought to be anxious to f'upply 
 their confumption, feeing that the French can un- 
 derfell the Englifh in thefe articles. 
 
 But it is probable that the plated ware (copper 
 plated with filver) invented in England will take 
 place in the United States of that of filver plate, as 
 painted paper has replaced there much more expen- 
 iive hanging ; this new fort of plate has for ufe all 
 the advantages of the other, and coils a great deal lefs. 
 
 How comes it that the Englifh are already fo ad 
 vanced in this branch of induftry, vvhilft there exifh 
 in France but one or two manufactures where copper 
 is plated on one fide only, and filvered over on the 
 other? How have the Englifh already carried this in 
 vention to fo high a degree of perfection ? How 
 have they made of it a matter of extenfive commerce, 
 L whilft 
 
 * Plate isufed in the Southern States magnificence is feen 
 there; on which account, travellers having but little philofophy, 
 /peak highly of them : but obferve what is attached to this 
 luxury, flavery reigns in the South, and there are many poor. 
 There are none in the Northern States, no plats is there 
 fed. 
 
HO ON THE COMMERCE O.F TK1 
 
 xv hi 1ft we are reduced to the two manufactures 
 wherein no progress is feen, and where the inferiority 
 of the workman (hip difgufts thofe who would other- 
 wife find it to their advantage to make life of this 
 kind of plate ? 
 
 Thefe manufactures have an exclufive privilege : 
 there is the word Government fearing leftfalfe mo 
 ney might be made in them, has forbidden even the 
 plating on both fides. 
 
 Reafonmg would here be fuperfluous: it is fuf- 
 ficient to open the eyes to fee which of the two ad- 
 mi nitrations has beft ferved its country; whether it 
 be that of England, by not cramping induftry, and 
 in not giving way to fears, whofe illufion'is (hewn 
 by the moft trifling obfervation, or ours, in follow 
 ing a contrary plan. Again, was it apprehended, 
 that counterfeit crowns would be made by millions; 
 as a facrifice is made to this fear of an indufhy 
 which would certainly produce many millions of 
 them ? 
 
 Thus, when we confider all thefe articles, wherein 
 trifling confiderations mall be our induftry, and con 
 demn to mediocrity our means of profperity; when 
 we thence turn our attention towards the different 
 'fpirit which governs England, it is aftonifhing that 
 induftry ftill exifts in France, and that the nation 
 does not fall into iloth, and remain there. Let us 
 give thanks unto nature, who has richly gifted us, arid 
 her guardian ftrength has hitherto demonftrated itfelf 
 fuperior to the malignant influence of the falfe fcience 
 of our adminiftrators.* 
 
 Shall 
 
 * A curious and more ufeful work would be, a faithful and 
 flftore rational hiftory of all the errors into which the rage of 
 regulating and prohibiting has thrown adminiftration. It is 
 Very probable that the refult would be, that French commerce 
 has always profpered, in proportion to the inexecution of re 
 gulations; that in caufing them to be rigoroufly executed, 
 foreign commerce has been favoured and enriched. The fpirit 
 f invsntiou and induftry which ow prohibitory regimen has 
 
tT'N'lTED S'TAtES OF AMERICA. Iff 
 
 Shall we remain behind the Englifn and Swifs in 
 dock- work? The Americans mud have watci 
 this admirable invention carries with it Inch a degree 
 f utility for even the poor clafles of fociety, that it 
 Ought not to be confidered as a fimple acquifition of 
 luxury, efpecially in the United States, where the 
 di fiance of habitations one from another msik^s the 
 neceffity of it moft fully perceived. 
 
 But watches muff be madegood and at a cheap rate; 
 thefe two conditions will allure them a prodigious 
 fale wherever civilization exiils; time is there a pre 
 cious property, and its price renders the ihftr'unient 
 neceflary which divides it: they will be made good 
 and at a cheap rate, when able artifts are confulted.* 
 
 This fpecies of manufacture will always belong to' 
 great cities, where the excefs of population keeps 
 ^vork man flii p at a low price, where the difficulty of 
 fubfifting enflaves that crowd of weak and indolent 
 beings which are under the law of the rich under- 
 L- 2- taker. 
 
 cVvelcped on foreign nations, was never perhaps fufpecTed j 
 r.t-kher the innumerable quantity of workshops which are there 
 ccnftrutSted, in proportion to the multiplication of exclufive 
 privileges in France. Thus, that of the India Company has 
 i.iijc Switzerland like the Eaft-Incies, for the manufacture of 
 ;, and plain and painted linens. 
 
 * Paris ha*, produced fome very di/lingu'flied ones 5 thtfy 
 honoured their art becaufe they had great ienfe and ingenuity, 
 .Mi ' had been we)! intruded ; but their pupils, for the moil part 
 v ^rang;r?, tird not having the fame means of gaining conlide- 
 r,;tion, wove afraid of our injudicious manner of defpifing the 
 hands which work at mechanical employments, and quitted the 
 country. We have at prcfent a Swifs, M. Erequct, vvhofc ta- 
 jents a:e equal, if not fuperior, to thofe of the moft celebrated 
 Englifh watch-makers. Happily for us, his character, his ele 
 vated views, his obliging zeal, command icfpecl in Come mea- 
 fure, and place him above prejudices. Let government confult 
 him, and he will foon indicate certain means whereby France 
 may have a national manufacture of clock and watch-work. 
 
 We are informed that he has preferred to the Miniltrj' a pro 
 found memorial upon this 
 
112 ON THE COMMERCE OP TH2 
 
 taker. The United States are far from iuffering this- 
 difficulty of fubfiftence, this excefs of population j, 
 they are therefore far from thefe manufactures. 
 
 SECTION XII. 
 Drfferent Sorts of Paper , Jiained Paper, &c. 
 
 This ufeful produ&ion from old rags, thrown off 
 Iby people at eaie, and gathered with care by the in 
 digent, is daily improved in France.* The Engliili 
 themfelves buy our paper for printing, and our writ 
 ing 
 
 * The manufactory of 'M. M. Johannot d'Aunonay, pro 
 duces finer paper than any other manufactory in Europe, and 
 the proof is firnple. There is more demand from Rufila, Eng 
 land, and Holland, for this paper than the manufacturer can 
 fu-rnifh} this fca:cenefs of paper d'Aunonay explains, for why, 
 our /hopkeepers ftill get paper from Holland. To diminifh this 
 (carcity, thefe good citizens have generoufly cfFered to comrnue. 
 nicate their procefa to all the manufacturers of paper in tht 
 nation, end even to form fchoals, wherein the ait of paper- 
 making may be taught. Many perfons have profited by thsft- 
 offers j the itites of Burgundy have lately fent three pupils 
 Thefe manufacturers have proved that it was not more expen- 
 ,ve to make good and excellent paper than that of a middling 
 -Duality. M Le Clerc> who has a great paper manufactory at 
 EUbne, found with concern that his manufactory coft him a great 
 -deal, and produced bad paper only : he communicated his re- 
 gret to M. Johannot j the latter went to Ellbne and produced 
 good paper with common paile. This was certainly a great fer- 
 vice done to France, and a good example givtn to the fordid 
 avarice of monopolizers, who, not being able to do and embrace 
 every thing, hinder others from doing it. May thefe generous 
 patriots receive that honour which they deferve : may their ex 
 ample be followed every where and by all. This will be to them. 
 a more flattering eulogium, a more brilliant and lafting recom- 
 penfe than cordons and ribbons, unworthy of true merit, be- 
 caufe they are frequently the price of intrigue, and the ornament 
 of mediocrity. The pleafure ef well-doing, and the fuffrages of 
 honeit men, are pure and unchangeable recompenfes. The artift 
 who does not know how to confine himfelf to thefe, will 
 do any thing which is great. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 113 
 
 ing paper will not be long unequal to theirs, if it does 
 nor fnrpafs it.* 
 
 But if there be an object of commerce for which 
 Europeans need not fear a reciprocal competition ; 
 if there be an article which offers to all European 
 manufactures a certain and lucrative employ, it is 
 that of paper: the confumption will always be equal 
 at lead to the production, and its numerous ufes ia- 
 fure a ftill greater confumption, in proportion as po 
 pulation, commerce, and knowledge, fliali increafe. 
 
 Every nation ought therefore to obferve without 
 jealoufy, that each country flrives to have within 
 itfelf manufactures of this kind. 
 
 The Americans cannot however enjoy this ad 
 vantage for a long time to come: befides the dearncf-; 
 of workmanship, their population cannot turnifh 
 them old rags in quantities fufficient to eilablilh 
 paper mills whofe productions would be equal to the 
 confiimption of the inhabitants. 
 
 Will their population ever furnim them with this 
 {"efficiency? This is a queftion difficult to refolve. 
 In fact, in proportion to the knowledge which na 
 tions may acquire, and to the liberty of the prefs, 
 which may be enjoyed in America, a prodigious 
 quantity of paper muft be confumed there; but 
 can the population of this country produce rags in 
 the fame proportion? It cannot reafonably be hoped 
 that it wilL It is therefore probable that the Ame 
 rican markets will not for a long time be provided 
 with any other than European paper, and that this 
 will find a place there. f 
 
 L 3 But 
 
 * Rags are more fcarce, end confequently dearsr, In Eng 
 land than in France, and they are articles of illicit commerce 
 between the two countries* There are very fevere laws againfl 
 this commerce ; but it is, and ever will be, carried on, as long 
 as there fhall be any thing to be gained by it. 
 
 f Rags are exceifiv*ly dear in America : but the Lime is r.r- 
 rrving when, by an increafe of population, they will become 
 plenty. In Pennfylvania they already make very ocd paper. 
 
114 ON TH1 COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 But fince the nfe of paper is fo advantageous to 
 iiien, fmce it is fo varied, it behoves every nation 
 to look upon foreign confumption as a fupplement 
 only, as an open port in the cafe of a fufpenfion of 
 interior commerce. It behoves every nation to keep 
 paper at a moderate price within itfelf, and to'attain 
 this end, means mult be thought of to increafe ma- 
 lerials which ferve to compofe this article, and to 
 purfue the happy attempts already made to do it.* 
 Thefe researches are fo much the more eflential, fo, 
 much the more urgent, as the l^appy invention of 
 coloured paper for hanging is of a nature always to 
 caufe r, greater confnmption of paper; and this man 
 ner of hanging with paper will fubfift for a long 
 
 time, 
 
 * In the moment of writing this note, I have before me very, 
 Snterefing eflays on vegetables, and on the bark of fevcral 
 trees, to transform them into paper; thefe efTays are due to- 
 the refearche.s of M. Delille, to whofe care the manufacture of 
 Montargis is indebted for a great part of its reputation. He 
 Ks far furpafied that Scheffe:, whom our men of erudition 
 have quoted with fo rr.uch emphafis. On feeing the bocks 
 which M. Delille has printed, on paper made from a fpecies of 
 mallows, and the bark of the linden tree; and on perceiving 
 the advantages which might be reaped from this invention, at 
 IvMft in packing and ftained paper, of which fa great a oon- 
 fumption is made; we wilh- that this invention may be more 
 and more known, received and adopted, as a means of remedy 
 ing the want of rags and the dearnefs of paper, which ought 
 to have more influence than ic commonly believed on the pro-* 
 grefi of knowledge. 
 
 It is alraoft impoflible that this invention rtiould not fooiv. 
 become general, and it is greatly the intereir. of the free Amc- 
 jicans to natural'se it among them. 
 
 Strong lies of lime and pot-afh, and the intelligent ufe of 
 vitriolic acid, are great means of reducing hemp and flax to 
 that kind of fubftance extremely attenuated, foft and biittle,. 
 v/hich is proper for making of paper. It might be contrived 
 by thefe means to fupply the warjt of rags by old cordage. 
 Thefe would even ferve to make good paper, fihce being re 
 duced to tow, it may eafily be bleached. The attenuation to, 
 be feared for, linen is not fo for the material of which papcs ut 
 saak. 
 
WNtTSD STATES OF AMERICA. II $ 
 
 time, becaufe it gives a neat and agreeable appear 
 ance to apartments. 
 
 No other is known in the United States; it is there 
 imiverfal; almofl all the houfes are neat and decent, 
 
 SECTION XIII. 
 Printing. 
 
 The liberty of the prefs being a fundamental 
 principle of the American conftitution, there can 
 be no doubt that printing will increafe there. But 
 it mil ft be obferved, that extenlive printing requires 
 workmen at a little expence ; that is to fay, men 
 without property, talents, or conduct; whom great 
 cities produce and employ in work which requires 
 neither intelligence nor emulation ; and it has already 
 been obferved, that the United States, unlefs the 
 rage of great cities takes pofleifion of them, will 
 contain but few of thefe wretched beings. 
 
 Printing will not, therefore, it may be prefumed, 
 be extended among the free Americans, at leaft be 
 yond that which is neceflary for the public prints.* 
 Their conftant and confiderable fale, permitting a 
 greater expence in workmanfliip,confequently draws 
 about the prefs many individuals, becaufe they have, 
 in a good falary, a view of the means of becoming 
 proprietors or traders, f 
 
 The 
 
 * Gazettes are Angularly multiplied in the United States* 
 They will become ftill more fo with an increafe of population, 
 and this is an advantage, for they are what that excellent pa 
 triot, Dr. Jebb, called them, " Centinels which watch over 
 public liberty and the prefervation of truth.'* 
 
 J- However, confiderable works are fometimes printed in the 
 United States, and of which the edition is carefully enough 
 corrected. I have fsen, for in{tance, the Memoirs, in quarto, 
 of the Academies of Bofton and Philadelphia, of the laft year,., 
 which proves at the fame time that free America is not fo totally 
 without typographical eftabiifhments, and that the inhabitants, 
 are not all fuch idiots a a prejudiced German drcaujsd tlcy 
 
Il6 OK THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 The furniftifng of books of fcience and arnmV 
 roent rauft therefore make a considerable object of 
 importation into the United States. It is for Francs 
 to appropriate to herfelf this commerce, and to en 
 courage the impreffion of Englifh books. Our 
 workmanship being cheaper than that of England; 
 and the English making uie of our paper, our bind 
 ing being lefs expenfive, why ihould not all the 
 books in which the Americans ftand in need of.be 
 printed in France? 
 
 It will be laid that we do not enjoy the liberty ot 
 the prefs,- b. it fo: But it is only with refpect 
 to our books;* for undoubtedly the adrriihiftration 
 does not pretend to extend its coercive principles to 
 books written in foreign languages; it would not 
 attain its end, feeing that it does not do it with re 
 ject to French books ;f and by this impoiitical ri 
 gour 
 
 * Under the reign of Louh XIV. whofe ambition extended 
 to every thing, it was ferioufly attempted to make the French 
 language univerfal. This abfurd pretenfion was ridiculoufly 
 Supported by the tyranny exercifed upon books and authors. 
 This tyranny could not but produce bad ones, and confequeut- 
 ly difguft Grangers. Happily fome judicious men had the 
 courage to make facrifices, and to get their works prin'td 
 abroad. It is thefe prohibited books which have enriched the 
 French language and increafed the reputation of French litera 
 ture. What authors are heard quoted in every country ? Rouf- 
 ffe-au, Voltaire, Helvetias, Mo&tefquleu, &c. that is to fay, 
 men who have been- patriotic enough to violate the tyrant's laws 
 of the prefs. 
 
 f So that even more than half of the libraries in France are 
 compofed of French books, printed abroad, for which there are 
 two caufes- the cheapnefs and goodnefs of the books; the 
 OCTAVO leaf printed, is commonly fold in Switzerland to the 
 public at nine derniers or a foJ, and it cofts three or four fols 
 in France. Prohibited books r.re fold at Paris at the fame price 
 as books permitted, which proves the dearnefs of French print 
 ing. For to the original price of prohibited books, there muft 
 be added the expences of carriage, rifks of entry, the commlf- 
 fions of different agents, Sec. With refpe<L\ to the goodnefs of the 
 works, the beft, as I have already obfcrved, are printed abroad -, 
 
UNITED STATES Of AMERICA. 117 
 
 gcur France would be deprived of a lucrative article 
 of commerce, certain, and of continual increafe. 
 
 The Dutch, fo active and vigilant in feizing the 
 rifing branches of commerce, have for a long time 
 Speculated on books in the United States: many bi 
 bles and books of prayer, for the ufe of the Ame 
 ricans, are printed in 'Holland. Lord Sheffield is 
 obliged to acknowledge, that printing in Holland is 
 by far more cheap than that of England, and of 
 courfe muft have the preference. They will fome 
 day extend this commerce to claiFical books.* 
 
 SECTION XIV. 
 
 Salt. 
 
 This article, fo necefiary to the Americans, and fo 
 abundant in France, muft not be forgotten in the enu 
 meration of commodities to be imported into Ame 
 rica. The Americans will for a long time be obliged 
 to get it from Europe; not that they have no fait 
 marines upon the coafts, and fait pits in the interior 
 parts of the country; but thefe marilies, thefe fait 
 pits, muft have hands to work them; and hands are 
 better employed in the United States. f The fait ex 
 ported 
 
 Helve tins has laid with reafon, l( ON HE DIT LA VERITE, 
 
 QJJE DANS LES LIVRZS > PROMISES, ON MINT J A N S i X % 
 A UTR S." 
 
 * A man of letters, who had remarked the dearnefs of Eng- 
 Ji/h boskc in France, and how difficult h wai to get them from 
 England, thought of getting the heft Englifh works re-printed 
 in Paris. This was afpeculation really patriotic he abandoned 
 it after having got a few volumes re-printed, probably becaufe 
 the confumptioa in Franca was not great enough, and that of 
 England was not open to him. He might at prefent revive it ;, 
 independent America prefents a great opening to him. 
 
 f Salt, during the lafe war, was very dear in America ; it 
 was worth twenty times its ordinary price The deprivation of 
 this article was very fenfibly felt by the Americans, who con- 
 fume much falted provifion, and give a great quantity of fait to- 
 their cattle, 
 
riS ON THE COMM'ERCE OF THfi 
 
 ported from Europe will for this reafon be a long- 
 time cheaper than that of America: moreover, its 
 freight will coil but little, as veilels from Europe may 
 be ballafted with it. The Americans ought to give 
 the preference to French fait; it is lefs iliarp, lefs 
 corrofive, and poiTeiies a better quality for faking,, 
 than any other European fait. 
 
 The three millions of inhabitants which rheUniled 
 States contain at preftnt, are fuppofecl to confume 
 fixty million pound weight of fait, without reckon 
 ing that which is given to cattle, and that employed 
 in fa king provilions; of which great quantity is 
 con fumed, in the United State?, and with which- 
 they vviil carry on a commerce more and more con- 
 fiderable: I will not at prefent go into a calculation 
 of the irnmenfe riches which the fnrniiliing of made 
 falc to foreign population, continually increafirig; 
 would produce to France. 1 ought to guard again it 
 Exaggerations i but it may not be improper to ob- 
 ferve, that a confiderable part of the States of the 
 North will never make any fait. It is therefore pof- 
 fible that French fair may have a preference among 
 them, as ' nore within their reach : 
 
 the population of :. < will be more rapid than 
 
 that of the others, and the commerce more varied 
 and exterJive. 
 
 SECTION XV. 
 
 General C ns on the Catalogue of French Iwfcr- 
 
 '-) the United States. 
 
 I will extend no further the lift of articles which 
 French commerce may furnifh to the Unite::! States:. 
 there are many others which 1 omit, becaufe the 
 bounds of my work will not permit me to examine 
 
 than the principal ones. 
 
 If faith be given to the calculations of Lord Shef- 
 fuJJ, and of other political writers, it appears that 
 
 ths 
 
tTNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I T-sJ 
 
 ~v':ie amount of the exportations of Great-Britain into 
 free America was, upon an average, calculated upon 
 three years, taken before 1773, near three millions 
 flerling, upwards of feventy-tvvo millions of livres 
 tournois. How much will it increafe in following 
 the progredion of population, and clearing of lands? 
 It is efpecially for this future flate of things that 
 France ought to prepare her means. 
 
 Let it be alfo obier/ed, that this commerce em 
 ployed feven or eight hundred veiTels, and about .tea 
 thoufand failors. 
 
 Ought France to let (lip fo important a commerce, 
 and a means fo natural of fupporting her marine? 
 For without commerce there can be no marine. Has 
 not fhe, in the richnefs of her foil, in a variety of 
 her manufactures, in the low price of her workman- 
 fhip, in the induftry and tafle of her inhabitants, m 
 her population, and in the iituation of her ports, an 
 infinity of means fufHcient to eftabUfh in America a 
 folid and extenlive commerce ? It muft be continual 
 ly repeated, that if it be wiihed that peace fhould 
 reign upon the earth, the vtoxfa .preference and compe 
 tition, which are frequently iignals of difcord, muft 
 be nled with circumfpe&ion. Why ihould there be 
 any jealoufy ,with.refpe6l to this commerce? In the 
 courfe of time independent America will offer a field 
 wide enough for all the European manufactures. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE COMMERCE OF TH1 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 <Of tilt Articles which Independent America may fui~nijk 
 in return for Importations from France. 
 
 jL\RRIVED at this part of my work, I cannot do 
 better than confign to it the letter addreffed by M. de 
 Calonne to Mr. Jefferfon, Minifter Plenipotentiary 
 from the United States of America. 
 
 LETTER 
 
 Addreffed to M. Jcfferfon, Minifter Plenipotentiary from 
 the United States of America to the Court of France. 
 
 1786. 
 SIR, 
 
 The King's intention being to favour as much as 
 poflible the commerce of the United States, I have 
 the honour to communicate to you fome difpofitions 
 made for that purpofe. 
 
 By a letter of the Qth of January, 1784, to the 
 Marquis de la Fayette, I informed him, that inftead 
 of two free ports, promifed by the treaty to the 
 United States, the king had determined to grant them 
 four, which has been effected; and I promifed him 
 to confider the cuftoms and duties on importation 
 and exportation which fhackle commerce; obferv- 
 ing to him, that thefe objects required confiderable 
 application; they have not yet been completed. By 
 another letter I informed the Marquis, that his Ma- 
 jefty had fupprefied the duties on the exportation of 
 brandy, a meafure which he hoped would be ufeful 
 to American commerce; I allured him alfo, that 
 the duties of the king and admiralty, payable by an 
 
 American 
 
D'NlTEt) STATES OF AMERICA. 121 
 
 American veflel on its arrival in a port of France, 
 {hould be dirninifhed; and after vards that fuch of 
 them as remained, {hould be reduced to a (ingle 
 duty, to be regulated according to the number of 
 mads or draught of water, and not according to the 
 two uncertain eftimation of gauging. This red uctiou 
 requires an exact knowledge of all the duties received 
 in the ports, and as they are of various fpecies, the 
 ilate which I ordered to be drawn up of them has not 
 yet been given in. 
 
 You know, Sir, the king has charged a particular 
 committee, to examine our commercial connexions 
 with the United States, and that the Marquis de la 
 Fayette has laid before it a project analogous to the 
 ideas contained in your letter to the Co-tint de Ver- 
 gennes: but you mufi perceive, how imprudent it 
 would be to hazard, by a change of fyftem, the pro 
 duce of a branch of revenue, which amounts to twen 
 ty-eight millions of livres, without falling upon any 
 object of the firft neceffity. After an ample difcuf- 
 fion of every thing which might at prefent favour the 
 importation of tobacco from America to France, it 
 has been decreed, not that the agreement made with 
 Mr. Morris mould be departed from, but that, after 
 the expiration of it, no other of the fame import 
 mould be made-, and that in the mean time the Far 
 mers General {hould be obliged to purchafe annually 
 about fifteen thoufand hogmeads of American tobac 
 co, coming directly from the United States in French 
 or American fhips, at the fame prices as ftipulated in 
 the contract made with Mr. Morris. 
 
 You will recollect, Sir, that whilft the demands 
 which had been made for whale oil were under con- 
 federation, the Marquis de la Fayette made a private 
 arrangement with M. Sangrain, permitting him to 
 receive as much of that article as mould amount to 
 ight hundred thoufand livres tournois, and that I 
 had granted paiTports to exempt this rft quantity 
 M from 
 
122, ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 from all duties xvhatfoever. M. Sangrain made af 
 terwards an agreement with the merchants ofBofton 
 for whale oiK to the amount of four hundred thou- 
 i'and livres a year, for fix years, for which his Ma- 
 jefty has promifed the fame favours as enjoyed by 
 the Hanfe towns. 
 
 This manner having lately been examined under 
 a more general point of view, the adminiflrstion, to 
 which the committee has made its report coniform- 
 able to the requeft of the Marquis de laFayette, and 
 to your opinion, relative to the entire abolition of all 
 duties on oils, has difcovered that it cannot confent 
 to it for the prefent, en account of engagements en 
 tered into with other powers. All that could be 
 done was to infure, for ten years, whale oil, fper- 
 maceti, and every thing comprehended under thefe 
 denominations, coming from the United States in 
 French or American fhips,the fame favours and mo 
 deration of duties as are enjoyed by the Hanle towns. 
 
 His Majefty hopes commercial connexions be 
 tween the United States and France will become ex- 
 tenfive enough to engage^im to continue the effect 
 of this provifionary deciiion ; and as it has been ob- 
 ferved in the committee, that a confiderable duty was 
 paid upon the making of the moft favoured whale 
 oils, and even upon national ones, his Majefty con- 
 fents to abolifo this duty with refpecl to the former, 
 and upon fpermaceti coming immediately from the 
 United States in French and American Ihips; fo 
 that fpermaceti and thefe oils will have to pay, for 
 ten years to come, no more than feven livres ten 
 ibis, and the ten ibis per pound, for all manner of 
 duty; the laft augmentation of ten ibis per pound to 
 ceafe in 1790. 
 
 It has been determined to gain particular infor 
 mation upon the confumption in France of rice from 
 Caroiina, and tha f encouragement ihould be given 
 to the exportation of that article. 
 
 Upoa 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 123 
 
 Upon the reprefentations which have been made, 
 Touching the confiderable duties paid on the*ntry of 
 pot afh and pearl am, as well as relative to thofe of 
 beaver fkins and fur, and raw hides, his Majefty has 
 fupprefled all the duties on pot afh on the fur and 
 fkins of beavers and on hides, coming raw from 
 the United States, on board American or French 
 veflels. He will alfo confider of proper encourage 
 ments to be given to every article of the fkin and fur 
 trade. 
 
 His Majefty has equally confented to free from all 
 duties, mafts and yards of every fpecies, red cedar, 
 green oak, in fhort, all timber proper for the con- 
 ftruftioh of vefiels, coming from the United States 
 in French or American mips. 
 
 The committee having alfo reprefented, that there 
 was a duty of five per cent, upon the purchafe of 
 veffels built abroad, and that this duty was prejudi 
 cial to the fale of American vefiels, his Majefty has 
 taken this into ^is confideration, and exempted the 
 purchafe of all mips, which (hall be proved to have 
 been conftructed in the United States, from every 
 duty of the kind. 
 
 Trees, fmall (limbs, and feeds of trees alfo, pay 
 high duties, which his Majefty has agreed to aboiifh 
 i fuch as fhall be fent from the United States to 
 France, on board French or American mips. 
 
 It having been reprefented, that the ftate of Vir 
 ginia had ordered arms for its militia to be made in 
 France, it has been determined, that the prohibitions 
 which have hitherto hindered the exportation of- 
 arms and gunpowder, as well as the duties required 
 in cafes of particular permifiions, fhould be aboiifh - 
 ed, and that whenever the United States mall wifh 
 to have from France, arms, fufils, and gunpowder, 
 they fliall have full liberty to do it, provided it be in 
 French or American fhips, and that thofe articles 
 M 2, (hail 
 
124 OK THE COMMERCE OF THE 1 
 
 fliall be fubje<5t to a very moderate duty only, folely 
 for the purpofe of calculating the exportations. 
 
 Finally, his Majefty has received in the fame fa 
 vourable manner the demand made to the commit 
 tee to fupprefs the confiderable duties hitherto paid 
 on books and paper of every kind. His Majefty 
 fupprefles all duties on articles of this kind, deftined 
 to the United States, and pul into French or Ame 
 rican vedels. 
 
 It is with pleafure, Sir, I announce to you thef* 
 djfpofidons of his Majefty, which are a new proof 
 to you of his defire to unite clofely the commerce of 
 the two nations, and of the favourable attention he 
 will always give to propofitions which fliall be 
 made to him in the name of the United States of 
 America. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with a fincereattachment,. 
 
 Sir, 
 Your very humble 
 
 raid very obedient fer van f, 
 (Signed) DE CALONNE. 
 
 Your nation. Sir, will undoubtedly fee, with plea- 
 fore, the facilities the king has juft given to the ex 
 portation of the wines of Bourdeaux, Guienne, and' 
 Touraine, and the fupprefiions of duties granted to 
 :iat effeft, by different Arretsof Council, with which 
 rUrqnic de la Fayette will be able to acquaint you* 
 
 EXPORTS 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 EXPORTS OF AMERICA. 
 
 1 WILL treat but of a few of the articles which 
 America furni flies, on account of the attention which 
 they all merit,. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Tobacco. 
 
 Of all the articles which France may procure from 
 vie United States, tobacco is the moil important one 
 to the inhabitants of the two countries. If it cannot 
 be clafled with our moft urgent neceffities, it follows 
 them fo clofe, that excepting cafes wherein the life 
 of it excites difguft, the deprivation of.it ordinarily 
 difcovers the laft degree of mifery. 
 
 We muft not be furprifed at its general ufe. 
 The man greedy of fenfations has found one lively 
 enough in tobacco: it is perhaps the only one which 
 he can enjoy at pleafdre without injuring his health, 
 diminifhing his ftrength, or fufpending his work or 
 meditations, Tobacco awakens the mind agree 
 ably, and obfervers who have remarked the innocent 
 pleafure, the fpecies of inftantaneous comfort, which 
 a little tobacco procures to a poor man, borne down 
 by the weight of affliction, have always wifhed that 
 fo (imple an enjoyment fhould be improved and be- - 
 come lefs and^ lefs expenlive; and they cannot re-- 
 fiecl: without horror on the crime of 'that fifcal in- 
 duflry, which, hardened by monopoly to increafe 
 its profits, adulterates muff fo much, as to make it 
 pernicious to health. 
 
 M 3 The 
 
126 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 The confumption of tobacco muft therefore be 
 come more and more confulerable, and the com 
 merce of this leaf, already very important, cannot 
 bedecreafed but by the diminution of its cultivation ; 
 which the policy of America will never permit. 
 
 The cultivation of tobacco is by no means proper 
 for the European States, which have acquired popu 
 lation enough to apply another kind of cultivation 
 to all their good lands. 
 
 It is true the Alfaciens cultivate a little tobacco, 
 :ind they boaft of it; but they would make a greater 
 profit if they cultivated their lands for proviiions. 
 This experience is decifive for France, where none 
 of thofe rich lands exift which are fo well known in 
 America. It is therefore the intertft of France to get 
 tobacco from abroad, but it muft be paid for by her 
 manufactures: file may enjoy this advantage more 
 fully with free America than with any other country. 
 I will not repeat the reafons of it ; I will obferve only, 
 that the free Americans, having an immenfe extent 
 of lands which cannot be cleared but in the courfe 
 of feveral centuries, muft have, for a long time to 
 come, tobacco to fend to Europe, fince this produc 
 tion pays with ufury the expences of clearing. 
 
 It is true, that the cultivation of tobacco in Ame 
 rica muft be fartherand farther from thefea, and that 
 the expences of carriage may become confiderable. 
 
 But different conliderations place this epocha at 
 a diftance; firft, in cultivating tobacco in none but 
 abfolute new lands, the cultivation is much lefs ex- 
 penfive, and the produce confiderably more abun 
 dant; confequently it will coft much lefs in a new foil 
 than when the foil requires more labour and ma 
 nure, Secondly, America, interfered in every di 
 rection by rivers and lakes, has infinite refources for 
 rendering water carriage every where eafy, and con- 
 iequentiy never expenfive. It is eafy to multiply 
 canals, and confequently communications; no part 
 
 of 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 12-7 
 
 of the world is fo much favoured in this refpeft as 
 America. Thirdly, Tiie banks of the Ohio and the 
 Miffiffippi offer immenfe lands to be cleared: the 
 Ohio falls into the Miffiffippi, which falls in its turn 
 into the fea : thefe two rivers arealmoft everywhere 
 navigable, and the lands near them produce already 
 excellent tobacco, and will continue to do fo for a 
 long time.* Fourthly, If the price of tobacco fhould 
 be increafed, France would not feel the difference, 
 if the free Americans, preferring the culture, con 
 tinued to wantEuropean manufactures, and gave the 
 preference to thofe of France, According to this 
 fyilem, the exchange of merchandize, manufactured 
 inFrance for the productions of the foil of America, 
 may be ftill made with advantage, if even thefe pro 
 ductions were fold in France below the firft coft in 
 America. We have long feen the French commerce 
 of the Levant produce great profits, although the 
 merchandize brought in return was fold at a lefs 
 price in France than it coftat the place where it was 
 produced. This circumftance. ftill exifts. 
 
 Therefore the fpeculation, moil to the interefl of 
 France, is. to tajke as much tobacco as fhe can con-. 
 
 fume 
 
 * It is impofiiblc to view, without indignation, that narrow 
 policy of Spain, which would mut out the Americans from all 
 communication with the fea by the MilTiffippi. How is it, tru;t 
 fiie cannot perceive, that her mercantile intereft invites her, on 
 the contrary, to favour this navigation, by erecting itore houfes 
 upon the banks of this river near to its mouth ? Is /he ignoranl 
 of the advantages of depofitories ? And with refpedt to her po 
 litical interelr, is there a greater one for her in thtfe countries, 
 than to make herfelf immediately neceftary to American efla- 
 biiftiments, within the reach of the Ohio? Muft fhe wait till 
 they adopt other means ? What wiil be gained by creating dif 
 content among A free people? If it be wifhed that thefe people 
 fhould not become powerful, they mull be deftroyed j and if this 
 barbarity belongs not to the eighteenth century, it is neceffary 
 to make friends of them. Expedients in politics are childifh 
 and vain. 
 
128 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 fume from the Americans, and pay for it with her 
 manufactures.* 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 FiJfierieS) Whale Oil, &7V. Spermaceti Candles. 
 
 Among the articles of fubfiftence which nature 
 has liberally given to men, fifh is one of the moft 
 abundant, the moft eafy to be procured, and the mofl 
 proper to preferve their health and ilrcngth.f By 
 "what fatal privilege is this food confined in France 
 almoft to the rich ? Why does not Mill abound in all 
 places, where this tribute of the fea can be received 
 in its original ftate, and without being charged with 
 the expences of two long a carriage? Since it is fo 
 well known, that it is advantageous to a (late, and to 
 every clafs of citizens, to procure an abundance, 
 and a variety of eatables, let them come from where 
 they will, or of whatever nature they be, provided 
 they be cheap and wholefome: why is this political 
 rule departed from, with refpecl: to fifh, to that ail 
 ment which nature produces every where with fuch 
 fecundity? Whatever may be the motives which 
 may repel it by an overcharge of duties, they can 
 proceed from nothing but a culpable ignorance. 
 
 Fully convinced of the benefit which muft refuit 
 to mankind from an abundance of provifions, and 
 from the facility of producing this abundance, in 
 receiving from each nation the fuperiluity which na 
 ture has given it, I mall take great care not to copy 
 the narrow fyftem of Lord Sheffield with reflect to 
 
 fifheries. 
 
 * The tobacco leaf, of which the, farmers general had the 
 entire monopoly, orexclufive fale, produced to the king a clear 
 1 f-tt revenue, annually, of between twenty-eight and twenty- 
 nine millions of livres. 
 
 f- Such is the powerful Influence on population, of the abun 
 dance of articles of fubfiftence, and efpecially that of fifb, that 
 it is piincipally to this article of life that the empire of China. 
 t>es the incredible number of its inhabitants. 
 
UN-ITE3 STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 fiHieries. His Lordfhip agrees, that the indepen 
 dent Americans have, for the great fifhery, natural 
 advantages, with which it is impoflible. for the Eu 
 ropeans to contend. 
 
 In facl, the Americans are near that part of the 
 Atlantic where great fifli abound; therefore their 
 lifliery muft be Ids expenfive to them. If accidents- 
 happen, they are foon repaired:, all their operations 
 are more prompt and fure; having a better know 
 ledge of thefe leas, they are expofeci to lefs rifks than 
 Europeans: finally, their proximity to the fifheries 
 a flu res them provisions more frefh,* and puts it in 
 their power to renew them more frequently; confe- 
 quently their fiflierm en enjoy more conitant health,, 
 and have older officers and failors among them : thefe 
 are ineftirnable advantages to America. 
 
 The Englifli have, very few of thefe advantages; 
 the French fc.arcely any. But ought we to -conclude 
 with Lord Sheffield, from this order of things, that 
 American fifh fhonld be charged with duties, in or 
 der to fupport the national fifhery, againft this com 
 petition ? the nature of things dictates to France more 
 wife and advantageous means. Fifh is nourifhing 
 whatever is nouriftiing is prolific: if the Ameri 
 cans fifh at Jefs expence than the French, fo much 
 the better for the laft; fifii will be more abundant,, 
 and at a lower price in France. Let France open 
 her ports; the Americans will bring iifli into them,, 
 and will pay themfelves with either the productions 
 cf the foil of France, or of her induftry; and the po 
 pulation to which this abundance and cheapnefsare 
 favourable,, will increafe. the producliouE.of French 
 indiii 
 
 Moreover, 
 
 * Such is the advantage of the A rrericani,. that they furn'/li 
 provifi^ns to the fedentary fifheries of the Eaglifli. According 
 to Colonel Champion, tht; provifions of Europe are nnre denr, 
 and not fo good ; the difFereuce in favour of the Atrrr":-... ;:: is 
 Li the proportion of four :o fevenj and itcannoc be other wife* 
 
130 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE, 
 
 Moreover, it is neceflary, either to renounce ex 
 terior commence, or to confent that there fnall b . 
 fomething to exchange on both fides. To wifh to 
 eitablifh and encourage a commerce with a foreign 
 nation, and not to leave it to the care of furnifhing 
 that which it collects with the greatelt facility, is a 
 manifeft contradiction. The enlightened policy of 
 commerce is not to invade all the branches of it, but- 
 to do nothing but that which can be done better and 
 cheaper than any other. Therefore, fmce the Ame 
 ricans havefifh on their coafts, fince they are in the 
 neighbourhood cf Newfoundland, leave to their in- 
 duftry that branch which nature hr.s given, to them 
 in preference; let us not difpute it with them : firfty 
 becaufe it would be in vain to do it, and in the next 
 place, becaufe France may reap, without filling, more 
 advantageoufiy the fruit of the American fiflieries. 
 
 " But," fay's Lord Sheffield, " failorsmuil befcund 
 *' for the navy; and the fifheries are the nurferies for 
 " them; therefore the fiflieries muft be fuppoftedj 
 " and no nfli confumecl but that which we take onr- 
 " felvesj on which account premiums are neceflary." 
 
 There is no doubt but failors are formed in the 
 fiflieries, but it is not in throwmg.nets or hooks, in cur 
 ing or preparing fifh, that this is done; it is by a fre 
 quent and long exercife on board veffels in laborious 
 manoeuvres, in living, fo to fpeak, among rocks, and 
 in feas, which the vicinity or nearnefs of oppc/fite 
 coafts makes continually dangerous: now this exer 
 cife of vigilance, agility, and intelligence, is perform 
 ed by the failor in coafting and fifhing on the coafts 
 of his own country. Let coafting be frequent, and 
 let not this fifhery be difcouragedjn France, and it 
 will not be neceflary, in order to form failors, to fend 
 them fo far to take fifn, which they cannot bring to 
 Europe without great expence: by which the con- 
 fumption is confequently limited, and whichdeprives 
 ysof the ineftimable advantage qf receiving in afcimd- 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 13! 
 
 -ance, that which the independent Americans can take 
 at much lefs expence. 
 
 Without doubt the exercife of the fiflieries of the 
 North forms intrepid iailors; and this painful life 
 mil ft be contented to. But when nature has placed 
 men in a climate where they have but a few fleps to 
 make to the interior of the country,* to find an oc 
 cupation exempt from dangers and lefs fatiguing, 
 when they can get their bread upon land, under a 
 clear and calm iky, if he reafons, how will he be en 
 gaged to truft his iife to boards, and to brave icy feas, 
 to expofe himfclf during the fined months in the year 
 to perpetual florins, which aflail thefe fifhing banks, 
 fo frequently flamed, by means of the moft fatal 
 errors, with European blood? 
 
 It will be anfwered, by premiums,-}- by privileges, 
 
 and 
 
 * The French fifh but a part of the year; moft of the fifh- 
 ermen are day labourers, employed on Jand, which they leave 
 in the month of February, and return to it in July. 
 
 { England gives considerable premiums to her fishermen. 
 But the inconveniencies and abufes of the fit ft premiums render 
 them of no effecl. Thefe abufes are chiefly as follows: The 
 fiihing vefiel muft go to a certain port; the equipage muft pafi 
 in review before the Officers of the Cuftoms ; the ihip muft com 
 plete her cargo, or remain three months atfea to do it : fo chat 
 if in the firft week Hie procured nine-tenths of it, fhe would be 
 obliged to keep the fea for the other tenth. The mip can take 
 no inftruments but thofe proper for the fi/hery, to which the 
 premium is applied ; the cargo cannot be difcharged but in a, 
 certain port; there are general formalities to be obferved with 
 jefpeft to the fait which fh carries out and brings home; the 
 owners are expofed to vexations from Cuftom-houfe Officers, to 
 law fuits which they are obliged to carry on in courts of juftice, 
 far from their refidence. Judge if a poor fifherman can expofe 
 himfelf to thefe inconveniencie c ; this is what has caufed fifhe- 
 rles to decline, efpecially thofe of Scotland. It is what has 
 given fo much afcendancy to the Dutch* who have no premi 
 ums. It is that which Ivas rendered prmium c ufelefs. Other 
 Governments adopt this method of giving premiums : the fame 
 difficulties are attached to them, and jet people are aftoniihed 
 Uut things go not on better. 
 
-T : j' -ON THE COMMERCE Of THfi 
 
 and by prohibitions or overcharges of duties, which 
 are equivalent to prohibitions on foreign induftry. 
 
 But it rnuft not be forgotten, that articles of fub- 
 * fiftence are here in queflion, that thofe forced meant 
 make them dearer, that their confumption is then li 
 mited, and their effect retrained; that in forcing na 
 ture in this manner, is doing it at the cxpence of po 
 pulation, for by this barbarous regimen, men are de- 
 itroyed inftead of being produced, whilit permiffion 
 to bring into fea-ports the fiih of thofe who have no 
 thing bettertodo than to take it, would infallibly in- 
 creafe population. 
 
 Moreover, to whom are thefe premiums and all 
 other favours, -with which it is wimed to combat the 
 nature of things, diilributed? Does the individual 
 of whom it re intended to make a failor enjoy any 
 advantage from them? Let not men be deceived in 
 this; they are the prey of the navigator, who goes 
 out of his clofet but to walk about, and who directs 
 his fteps fometimes toward the fea fide. He begins 
 by taking his own mare, and be perfuaded that the 
 wages which he offers to thofe whom he employs to 
 conduct his perilous enterprise are parfimonioufly 
 calculated; therefore the end is not attained. 
 
 If there be an abfolute want of failors who have 
 pafled their noviciate about the banks of Newfound 
 land, and in the North feas, there is a more fimple 
 and fure means, leis expenfive, and what is more 
 important, one which is exempt from deftructive 
 confequences, to form them. Choofe from honeft 
 families young, robuft, and intelligent men ; infure 
 to them a perfonal recompenfe, if, after a certain 
 number of voyages on board fifhing veftels, they 
 bring certificates of good behaviour, and of experi 
 ence acquired by practice. Oblige them to go on 
 board veflels belonging to nations or cities, to which 
 thefe difficult fimeries are a necefTary refource. It 
 Is there they will acquire real Juiawledge. Thefe, 
 
 added 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 133 
 
 afterwards to Tailors exercifed in the coafting 
 and in the fisheries on their own coafts, will form 
 for the navy experienced Tailors. 
 
 Whale oil belongs to the fifheries : it is another great 
 article of commerce with the United States. All oil 
 of this denomination is not produced by whales only; 
 great quantities of it is drawn from feals, and other 
 fpecies of fifh. 
 
 The ufe of this oil is much retrained in France:* 
 that of the white of the whale, and of which fuch 
 line candles are made, is little known there. The 
 ufe of oil will become more general. 
 
 Lord Sheffield is of opinion, that found policy 
 makes its necefiary that the Englifh fhould prohibit, 
 or at leaft difcourage by duties, American oil. It 
 was with this idea that the government of England 
 Impofed a duty of four hundred and fifty livres tour- 
 nois per ton on oils imported by the independent 
 Americans, to favour the oils of Canada and Nova- 
 Scotia. 
 
 This rigour (Jiould make this production, which 
 has been hitherto proscribed, received in France. 
 The introduction of it is fo muchthemore neceilary, 
 as the French whale fifhery is ruined. Bayon, for 
 merly celebrated for this nfliery, has abandoned it; 
 Dunkirk, which continues to fit out veflels, furniflies 
 but little of this oil, at a very high price. 
 
 Whether the French go to the North, or towards 
 Brafil, they will labour under a difadvantage : 
 Without afylum in cafe of misfortune, their naviga 
 tion is always longer and more expennve than that 
 of other nations which cr.rry on a whale fifliery. It 
 is therefore more to the advantage of France to re- 
 N ceive 
 
 * By ftatements which deferve fome faith it appears, that 
 in 1734, tl.e importation into France of whale oi!, and that of 
 other fifh taken by the French, was 1,610,619* Ib. Foreign 
 til, 2,74.8,099 lb Portugal furnifhed almoft half of the lafl. 
 
?34 ON THE COMMERCE OF IKE 
 
 ceive American oil, and to pay for it with her wines 
 and manufactures. 
 
 The French government foon perceived the n-e- 
 cefiity of receiving the oils of America. Had not 
 this been done, an emigration ef Ainerrcan fifher- 
 men into Canada and Nova-Scotia would have been 
 the confequence. This was near .happening, fame 
 time after the peace, in the ifland of Nan tucket. In 
 defpair on feeing the ports -of England fhut, and not 
 knowing where to fell their oils, which alone fup- 
 plied all their wants, 'the inhabitants had refolved to 
 emigrate to Nova-Scotia, when, on the moment of 
 departure, they received a letter from the Marquis 
 de la Fayette, whom they jnftly looked upon as their 
 patron and father. He perfuaded them to be pati 
 ent until the French government fliould fupprefs or 
 reduce the duties on oils, which have been reduced 
 for a limited time; but during tin's time the indepen 
 dent Americans are to enjoy, with refpeft to their 
 oils, all the advantages given to the moil favoured 
 nation;* and this favour, joined to all their other 
 .advantages, cannot fail to give them a great fuperio- 
 rity in this branch of commerce, as beneficial to 
 France as to them. 
 
 The white of the whale muft be added, and the 
 candles made with this fubftance: they are known 
 by the name of fpermaceti candles, and ferve inftead 
 of very fine bougies or wax candles. The American 
 Colonies exported of them, according to Lord Shef 
 field, to the amount of five hundred thoufand livres 
 
 tournois, 
 
 * Such are the duties on whale oil, &c. paid in France, ac 
 cording to the tarifs of 1664, and 1667 ; whale bone, cut and 
 prepared by the French, thirty fols per cwt. fins, three livres per 
 cwt. a barrel of oil of five hundred pounds weight, three livies. 
 Whale bene from foreign fisheries p<iyr, in the firft inftance, 
 nineteen livres, in the fecond, thirty iivres, and twelve livres in 
 the third. The Hanfe Towns pay nine livres in the firft in- 
 ilance, and feven livres ten fols in the thirc. It is the Uft duty 
 *,v-J)ioh the American oils now pay. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 13^ 
 
 tournois, in the years 1768, 1769, and 1770, cal 
 culating thefe candles at thirty-two ibis a pound. It is 
 probable, that thefe would be better made in France. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 CV, Flour, &c. 
 
 Foreign corn and flour enter France on paying a 
 duty too inconfiderable to make any fenfible increafe 
 in their price. The principles laid down in the pre 
 ceding article, with reipect to article:: of fubfiftence, 
 nmft be adopted for the commodities of corn and 
 flour. 
 
 The corn merchant, the moft ufeful of all mer 
 chants (whatever the vulgar, who, from a want of 
 information, confounds a dealer in corn with a mo/- 
 nopolizer, may think of him,) fears arbitrary excep 
 tions, fudden prohibitions, and unexpected itrokes of 
 authority. This ftate of uncertainty prevents Oic 
 folid eftablifhmcnt of the true fyftem of liberty, 
 whence rcfult innumerable inconveniencies, which 
 no other fyfcem would bring on provided it were 
 fixed, and that it afforded a certain bafis of calcula 
 tion. 
 
 But how could a legiflation for corn be formed 
 which fhould not be one of liberty, and which mould 
 neverthelefs afford a like bafis? This is impoffible: 
 foeking, firfl of alJ, the particular rules for every cafe, 
 when thefe are of a nature not to be forefeen, is ieek- 
 ing for a chimera. 
 
 Not to fall into contradiction it is neceffary .o 
 choofe between arbitrary power and liberty But that 
 which is arbitrary prefents nothing but a perfpec- 
 tive which is naturally difcou raging. No property 
 is fafe under this fyftem; when it exifts, the mer 
 chant and the cultivator are obliged to hazard their 
 property in a lottery, of which the chicaneries can- 
 be calculated; for it is neceflury to forefee the 
 Ns falfc 
 
l$ ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 ialfe informations, errors, and manoeuvres, of an hi- 
 tereft different from their own, and even from that 
 of the public, the attempts of power, &c. and if all 
 fhefe confiderations ought to enter into the elements 
 of their calculations, how can they found hopes on 
 fuch a variable bafis? 
 
 Liberty confifts, on the contrary, in the choice 
 which every one may make of that which is mo ft 
 agreeable to him, according to the circumftances of 
 the moment. This is a general rule; it is applicable 
 to every cafe, and the hope of gain is always ac~ 
 eomfptrmed by the decifive certainty that an indivi 
 dual will be mailer of all his induftry, and of com 
 bining his fpecuktions according to circumftances, 
 which human power cannot govern. 
 
 From this cfcmonitrated truth, that in every ftate 
 of circumftances, the iirfl thing needful to the com 
 merce of grain is a fixed rule, refults the neceffity of 
 embracing the fyftem of liberty, and oi~ protecting 
 it in its fulleft extent, without: oppofmg any reftrictive 
 condition.* 
 
 Governments fhoukl be determined by the necef- 
 Sty alone of this. fixed rule, if the fyftem of liberty 
 %vas not even derno nitrated to be the beft in every 
 vefpect. But this fyftem is moreover the molt cer 
 tain prefervative againft the alternatives of ruinous 
 abundance and fcarcity ftill more ruinous, which are 
 both calamities, wherever impofls are confiderable. 
 
 Lord Sheffield obierves, that Europe, not being 
 conitantly under the neceffity of recurring to Ame 
 rican corn, the United States cannot put corn and 
 Hour into the clafs of productions, which found an 
 
 eileatiai 
 
 * Tiie English f;metimes prohibit importation or exporta 
 tion But it niuft be obferved, that the Er.gliftj previouily fix 
 the pr^ce of corn, which determines prohibition?* This is 
 therefore a fixed law, and which, confeqvrently deranges not 
 foecuiators iike an arbitrary law. 
 
STATES OF AMERICA. 137 
 
 effential and durable commerce.* Lord Sheffield is 
 miftaken. It is a truth, which every man of obfer- 
 vation is acquainted with,, that not a year comes 
 forward without {hewing that fome one or more na 
 tions in Europe are in want of corn. This want of 
 grain therefore being occasionally extended to allEu- 
 rope, France ought to be anxious to become the ma 
 gazine of it, fince England was fo formerly. There 
 fore it would be advantageous to conftruct in the 
 free ports opened to the United States commodious 
 depoiitories to receive and preferve American corn. 
 By this means corn would be always ready to be 
 tranfported to the place where the bed price was to 
 be had for it.. Thefe- free ports being depofitories 
 where articles neceffary to the United States would 
 be collected, the commerce of corn would thereby 
 acquire a continuation^, advantageous to the two 
 nations: advantageous to America,, becaufe the 
 certainty of a place of depolit, fafe and little expen- 
 five, would caufe grain to be fent more frequently ; 
 advantageous to France, becaufe, beiides the conti 
 nual poifeffion of an important commodity, and' 
 which would guarantee it from every manoeuvre of 
 interior monopoly, thefe depofitories would furuifh 
 N. 3, the 
 
 * We have no fimpleexpreffion in France for * ftaple commo 
 dities ;' words by which the Englim term thofe forts of produc 
 tions of foil or induftry, fo naturalized as to form an effential 
 part of national riches, and of which the commerce is fa 
 voured by great eftabli/hments, fuch as public buildings, depoH- 
 tories, and places or markets, detained to thefe productions. 
 Thefe are called the STAPLE, whence the ex-pi eflion ' It .1 pic 
 commodities' vftis naturally formed. 
 
 We have not, like, the Englifh, the happy liberty of making 
 words: their language becomes more rich, their elocution rapid, 
 and we lofe ourfelvesin long circumlocutions, to defcribe a thing 
 of which we want the name; an inconvenience more pernicious 
 tc infraction than is believed. This rerrv.rk is not at prefent 
 ill timed : it is to thofe who conduct affairs, who live artv.-n^- 
 them, whofe vocation it is to treat thereon^ to create v-. 
 v.hich explain them clearly and properly. 
 
f 58 OK T l-i "ii "COMMERCE CF j hi. 
 
 the means of a coafnng trade, almoft continual, from 
 the north of France to the iVtrtheit part of the Me 
 diterranean. 
 
 France does not grow all the corn me confumes;* 
 fhe is obliged to get it from the north, from Sicily, 
 nncl the coafts of Africa: that of the United States 
 ought to be more proper for her, for two reafons: 
 Firft, it mult be cheaper, being the produce of -a 
 cultivating people. Secondly, the people have more 
 various and general wants of frefli provifions than 
 the foiuhern countries of Europe. The American 
 inny receive v, me.-;, line oils, and fruits of France, 
 in exchange for iiis corn. The Neopolitan, the 
 Sicilian, and the African, cannot be paid in the 
 fame manner. 
 
 Finally j there is- a not her confederation favourable 
 to the importation of American corn: it may eafily 
 arrive at Honfleurrf there it may be ftored up, and 
 undergo all theprocefies neccfTary to its prefervation : 
 procefles which are become very fimple and little ex- 
 ptnfivt.;;. Thefe dhiblifhrnents would keep up a 
 
 confiderable 
 
 * This U 2 facl, t'iou^:; contrary to the common opinion. 
 Another fait, which proves the liicd'Iity of admitting corn at 
 a low rate, fuch as the coin of Anur'ci, is, that thiee-fourthi 
 01 the inhabitants cf the province of Beauce, which produces 
 f'uch line corn, eat black bre^d and no other, and of vhich 
 they have net even tr.ou'u. What rnuil this fcarcity be in 
 . rovinces \vhtre :.c corn i. grov.'n ? 
 
 \- 1 q'jole Honfieur, becaufe this port, from various circum- 
 ftznces, ufclefs to mention here, is defiined by nature to be 
 come the df:p',:or\ of a grest commerce, and that efpecially cf 
 . v :.,;e:; \vith-France. The project of making it a 
 lice pori has been under confederation 5 and it is to the greateft in- 
 icrcftof i v:.nce that this project fhould be carriedjnto execution. 
 
 ^ The^t- cc.'1-lift in nothirg but placing magazines h. the open 
 sir, cpe>::i.i tc dry winds, and conftrud^ed in fuch a manner as 
 to be entirely removed. This operation, performed once a fort- 
 -,,i-:i)t, in piojer wtaihcr, jiceds only to be jepeated a certain 
 iiur.'jbcr uf times j after which the corn may be left in a heap, 
 without fear of its healing. Experiments of this kind have 
 ieea carefully m^de. The method cf preferring coro ufed at 
 
VNLTLD STATES OF AMERICx^. 1 $ ( y- 
 
 coniiderable quantity of foreign corn within the 
 reach of the capital, a greater advantage than n;:;y be 
 imagined. 
 
 There are ftill other motives which ought to en- 
 gage the French to encourage the importation of A- 
 merican corn. They have need of it for the vaft 
 magazines which the land and fea forces, and fre 
 quently fcarcity. oblige them to keep ftorecl. 
 
 What mould hinder government from forming 
 magazines of American corn in the French fugar if- 
 lands, which tempefls, conflagrations, and other 
 unforefeen accidents, expofc fo frequently to famine, 
 becaufe contracted victualling is carried' on by mo 
 nopolizers, who fend but little in order to fell dear? 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 MaftS) Yards, and other Timber for the Navy, 
 
 France, like other European ftates which have a 
 royal navy and fleets of merchant mips to keep in 
 repair, imports timber from Livonia and Ruffia, 
 This general magazine begins to be exhaufled; the 
 quality of its malts is not fo good as formerly. This 
 commerce is, moreover, attended with the dilacU 
 vantage to France of requiring conliderable remit 
 tances of money, without reckoning the inconve- 
 niencies of a dangerous navigation, frequently inter 
 rupted by ice; aifo the competition of feveral na 
 tions, which their proximity and many other cir- 
 cumftances naturalize, fo to fpeak, in the ports and 
 feas of the North j advantages which the French 
 cannot have. 
 
 Thefe 
 
 Geneva may be quoted s The government has eftablifhed one of 
 He greateft revenues in the fale of corn to the people, and its 
 interefthas, confequently, led it to improve the art of preferv- 
 ing this commodity. Befides, In depositories deftined wholly 
 to the corn dealers, the fame corn never remains long enough 
 torerjdft its prelervation difficult. There is fome reafon to be- 
 lisve that the fait air of the fea it favourable for it 
 
l^O 4VN THE COMMDRCli Cjfe' TH1. 
 
 Thefe confiderations ought to determine France 
 to turn her attention to the United States, to procure 
 from them the limber necelfr.ry for her navy, and 
 malt timber efpecially. There is but one objection 
 to this, and it arifes from prejudice-. It is pretend-" 
 ed in France, that the quality of American timber 
 is very much inferior to that of the Baltic. Some 
 people go fo far as to maintain that it is improper for 
 the coaitruftion of veflel?. I have reafon to believe 
 that this judgment is not onlv hafty, but dictated 
 cither by ignorance, or the partiality of perfons in- 
 tereikd in the Baltic timber. 
 
 It is not in the laws of nature, that immenfe coun 
 tries, vvhofe afpects are as varied as thole of Europe 
 can be, and. in vvhofe foil there are the fame diverii- 
 ties, fhould produce no timber but of a quality infe 
 rior to that of the timber of Europe. 
 
 Better directed inquiries, and a more attentive ex 
 amination, will foon deftroy this prejudice againft 
 the qualityof American timber; a prejudice fomueh 
 the more difagreeable, as it would deprive the con> 
 irrerce between France and the United States of an 
 article important to the two nations. 
 
 If France will inform herfelf ferioufly of this mat 
 ter, let her confult even the enemies of" America; let 
 her confult Lord Sheffield, fo moderate in his eulo- 
 giums, when it is necefTary to give them to the inde 
 pendent Americans. His Lordfhip fays exprefihy 
 * 4 that the negotiators of the treaty of peace, who 
 " have ceded the territory of Penobfcot, to the eaii 
 *' of Cafco-bay, belonging to Great-Britain, deferve 
 " the fevereft cenfure; as this country produces, 
 *' without contradiction, the bed timber. Thecoaft," 
 adds his Lordmip, " is covered with timber proper 
 " for navigation and other ufes, and in quantities 
 " fufficient to the wants of Great-Britain for centu- 
 " ries to come. The white pine, known in England 
 " by the name of the Wey mouth Pine., or tJ^Pir.e 
 
 P 4,4 OJ 
 
tlNITLD STATES OF AMERICA. 142 
 
 ** of New-England, abounds in this territory; it is 
 " incontefb.bly the beft for mafts, and gro.ws there 
 *' to a prodigious height." 
 
 Tliis is confirmed to us by men who have travelled 
 and redded in the United States. Thefe mt-i allure 
 us, that the States produce all kinds of timber of 
 which we are in need, and that the white pine of the 
 Connecticut, Penobfcot, and Kennebeck rivers is, 
 at lealt, equal in quality to that of the north of Eu 
 rope. The ftiip- builders of Philadelphia efleem it 
 fo much, that they begin to make ufe of it for fide 
 planks above the fnrface of the water. 
 
 Green oak, of which there are fuch fine forefts in 
 Georgia, unites the mod precious qualities; it may 
 be procured from St. Mary's, of a more confiderable 
 fcanrling than that which comes from the Levant 
 and the iflancl of Cornea; it is compact, the worms 
 never attack it, and its duration is unequalled. The 
 green oak of Carolina is the hardeit timber known ; 
 - the verTeis built with it are of a very long duration* 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 Skins and Furs. 
 
 In this trade Lord Sheffield looks upon the United 
 States as dangerous rivals to Canada; and it is not 
 without reafon that his Lorclmip is of this opinion. 
 
 The proximity of the great eftablifhments which 
 the independent Americans form at prefent at Pitf- 
 burgh, and in many other places of their pofTeflions 
 beyond the mountains, muft infenfibly give then; 
 great advantages in this commerce, and make them 
 partake with Canada a large fhare of the profits. 
 
 In fact, the regions fituated between the waters of 
 the lake Ontario, and thofe of the Mifiiffippi, inter- 
 fected by the numerous rivers which fall into the 
 South and North- Weft of Lake Erie, of the Michigan 
 
14- ON' THE COMMERCE OF TH2. 
 
 and of the Superior ^ as far as the O//: 5,y7^, * nnc$ 
 even to the lac des bcis ; the great undertakings in 
 which the Virginians are at prefent employed, to* 
 improve the navigation of the Potvwmdck^Q ttie foot 
 of the Allegheny; the probability of another com 
 munication with the ultramontane waters, by mean* 
 of the wefltrn branches of the Sufquthaiwah; xvhhout 
 omitting the facility with which the inhabitants of 
 the ftate of New-York went to Niagara before the 
 war, in going up the Hudi-cm's ri\er from their ca 
 pital to Albany, beyond that of the Mohawk?, crof- 
 iing the little lake of Oncida, and by means of an 
 cafy carriage going clown the river of Ofaego, in the 
 mouth of which the Ontario forms an excellent har 
 bour; all thefe reafons, and many others which re 
 late not only to geography, but to climate, proximi 
 ty, &c. mud in a few years put the Americans ia 
 pofTeffion of the greatest pars of the fur trade. 
 
 Thefe advantages will be ftill more certain, when 
 the Englim (hall have evacuated the forts of Niagara, f 
 the great eftablifhment of the flreight,J and that of 
 the Michiliimakinad:. 
 
 The annual fales in London of furs from Canada^ 
 produced in 1-782, four millions feven hundred thou- 
 fandlivres tsurnois, fomething more in 1783, and in 
 1784 they amounted to upwards of five millions. All 
 thefe furs are paid for with Englifli manufactures, 
 and the fourth part is prepared iij England, by which 
 
 their 
 
 * A great river n-hJch falls into the Miflifllppj, at feven hun 
 dred leagues rVcra the fea. 
 
 { A very hrportant one, which commands the fpace of the 
 thirteen leagues which fepaiates the lakes Erie and Ontario. 
 
 J A city founded by the French, on the height oi : St. Claire, 
 which carries the \vatcis oi" the lakes Michigan and Huron into 
 the Erie. 
 
 A for: and eftabii/hment at the point, in theifland of this 
 aarne, which corn ma mis the pr.lfrge of the falls of St. Maiy, 
 through which tht \Vutera of the upper lke f'i imo th-jfc oi 
 
'.'NITED STATES OF AMERICA. 143 
 
 their value is doubled. Now, this rich commerce, 
 carried on by way of Quebec, will certainly fall as 
 ibon as the forts and the countries which they com 
 mand mail be reftorecl to the Americans. It is from 
 this confideration that the rcftitution of thefe forts is 
 withheld, to the period of which the Englifh look 
 tbrward with pain. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 Rice, Jndipo, Flax-feed. 
 
 It is not poffible to fpeak of American rice with 
 out thinking of the pernicious inconveniencies which 
 its cultivation produces. The wretched flaves who 
 cultivate it, obliged to be half the year in water, are 
 expofed to fcrophulous diforders and a premature 
 death. It is laid, that this confideration prevents 
 the Mates wherein rice is produced, from abolifhing 
 flavery, Free men would not devote themfelves 
 willingly to this destructive labour.* 
 
 Were this even true, and that in the fyftem of li 
 berty means could not be found to reconcile this cul 
 ture to the health of the labourers, a fufficient mo 
 tive could not be drawn from it to condemn to death, 
 or to cruel difeafes, a part of our fellow creatures, 
 born free, equal us,f and with an e^ual right to live. 
 
 Were 
 
 * Rice is cultivated in Piedmont and in Italy, by people who 
 have no habitations, and are known by the name of Banditti, 
 the fruit of the bad political conftitutions of that part of Europe. 
 When thefe Banditti have finished their work, tne Sbirres con 
 duct them to the frontiers, for fear of the diforders to which 
 thnr inaction and mifery might incHne them. 
 
 f They are of a different colour from that of the Europeans 5 
 but does the quality of man depend on colour ? Are not the ne 
 groes organized as we are? Have not they like us, every thing 
 which belongs 'to the production of the fpecies, to the formation 
 of ideas, and to their deveiopement ? It their black colour ought 
 to have any moral tffect, to have any influence over their fate, 
 or to determine our conduct towards them, it fhould be that of 
 inducing us to leave them where they are, and not to for.ce them 
 
144 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 Were the culture of this commodity even abfolutely 
 neceflary, this neceffity would give us no right over 
 the lives of negroes; or it would be the eitect of a 
 ftate of war; for fervitude was never a right. 
 
 There is a fpecies of dry rice no way dangerous to 
 cultivate. Moreover, the example of the Chinefe and 
 the Indians, among whom the culture of rice makes 
 not inch ravages, ought to make us hope, that in 
 imitating them life and health would be reftored to 
 men of which. we have never had a right to deprive 
 them. 
 
 After having confidered this production as a man 
 fliould confider it, I mult now confider it as a mer 
 chant ought to do. 
 
 The French government has not yet taken a de 
 termined refolution relative to the introduction of 
 American rice. It is a wholefome and fimple arti 
 cle of fubfiftence, proper to iupply the place of prin 
 cipal commodities. It cannot be too often repeated, 
 that the multiplication of articles of fubfiftence ought 
 to be encouraged; it would render life lefs painful 
 to the people, increafe population, and confequently 
 natural riches. 
 
 If France wiflies to have a great and folid com 
 merce with the United States, flie ought to admit all 
 the productions of the United States. 
 
 The 
 
 tway from their country; not to punifh them by the moft bar 
 barous treatment on account of their colour; not to drag them 
 into a foreign land, to condemn them there to the vile and 
 painful life of animals. Do they come and offer themfelves vo 
 luntarily as flaves? Do they afk to leave thofe torrid zones, 
 wherein nature fcems to have circumfcribed them by their co 
 lour, as flie has done by us in more temperate ones by our white 
 complexions? Their wants being few, keep them in ignorance; 
 we add every thing capable of changing it inco imbecility, and 
 we argue upon this degradation, of which we are the culpable 
 authors, to tianquilize ourfelves on the j'ift reproaches which 
 nature makes us !' Can we b aft therefore of our knowledge, as 
 long as it remains an accomplice in thcfe horrors? See on this 
 fubjeft, i'exainen critique des Voyages, 1 de M. de Chaftelux, 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 145 
 
 The Americans exported annually, daring the 
 years 1768, 1769, and 1770, to Great-Britain and 
 the fouth of Europe, a hundred and fifteen thoufand 
 barrels of rice, worth fix millions and a half of livres 
 tournois.* It is the moft confiderable article of ex 
 portation after tobacco, wheat, and flour. It de- 
 ferves therefore that France fhould think of it for her 
 commerce, and endeavour to bring it into her ports, 
 to be diilributed there toother European markets. 
 
 Indigo. 
 
 The fame thing may be faid of the indigo of the 
 Carolinas and Georgia; it makes a part of the im 
 portant productions of the United States, and is con- 
 fumed in Europe; it is therefore neceflary to open 
 for its reception all the French ports, and afterwards 
 to give it eafy communications. The English re 
 ceived of it annually, during the years 1768, 1769, 
 and 1770, to the amount of three millions of livres 
 tournois.f It was principally confumed in England, 
 Ireland, and the north of Europe, by reafon of its low- 
 price. The indigo of St. Domingo is much dearer. 
 
 The indigo of Carolina and Georgia has acquired 
 a much better quality fince the firft quantities of it 
 arrived in Enghnd; but I have not learned that it 
 is to be compared with the indigo of Domingo. Tra 
 vellers fay, that Carolina produces indigo almoft as 
 good as that of the French iflands. 
 
 There are kinds of dying to which low priced in 
 digo is proper; and, for this reafon, certain dyers 
 uie that of the Carolinas and Georgia. In thefe cafes 
 it will always have the preference. Therefore Ame 
 rican indigo mould be admitted as long as there is a 
 confumption for it, for the Americans will continue 
 O to 
 
 * The exportation from Charlefton, from December 1784, 
 to December 1785, amounted to 67.713 barrels. 
 
 f- The exportation of dye-fluff, made in 17^5, from Charlef- 
 lon, amounted to 500^.9^0 pound weight. 
 
14-6 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 to cultivate it; and fince this cultivation cannot be 
 prevented, the mofl advantageous thing is to flrive 
 to become agents in the general commerce of Ame 
 rica, 
 
 Flax- Seed. 
 
 North-America fent to England and Ireland, dur 
 ing the years 1768, 1769, and 1770, flax-feed to the 
 amount of two millions and a half of livres tournois ; 
 it was all confumed in Great-Britain. The advan 
 tage of paying for this feed with Irifh linens, gave it 
 the preference to that of Flanders arid the Baltic. 
 Flax-feed from thefe countries is, moreover, very 
 dear. 
 
 It is the bufinefs of thofe French merchants, who 
 may be interefted in the commerce with the United 
 States, to confider what advantages they may derive 
 from this commerce. If the culture of flax becomes 
 cxtenfive in France, foreign feed ought to be pre 
 ferred for two reafons: the quality of the produc* 
 tion is improved by it, and there is more advantage 
 in fpinning flax in peopled and induftrious countries, 
 than in letting it ripen to gather feed. It appears, 
 that flax-feed comes not in .abundance, but from 
 countries where there are not hands fufficient tofpin, 
 or give the firft preparation, even to the flax they 
 produce: it is then proper to cultivate it for its feed, 
 which becomes a considerable article of commerce; 
 as long as this ftate of things fubfifts, it muit alfo be 
 proper for peopled countries to get flax-feed from 
 abroad. 
 
 Flanders feeins to be an exception ; but the expor 
 tation of flax is there prohibited, for the purpofe of 
 encouraging fpinning, &c. in this cafe Flanders, be- 
 inga country very proper for the cultivation of flax, 
 may leave to many cultivators of this plant no other 
 refource than the commerce of the feed. It is pro 
 bable, that if the flax could be fcnt from Flanders, 
 
 after 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 147 
 
 after the firft preparation for fpinning, nobody 
 would think of gathering the feed. 
 
 SECTION VII. - 
 
 Naval Stores, fuch as Pitch, Tar, and Turpentine, 
 
 Before the emancipation of America, England re* 
 ceived conliderable fupplies of thefe articles from 
 America, particularly from Carolina and the South. 
 The quantities of thefe articles amounted annually, 
 during the years 1768, 1769, and 1770, to twenty- 
 ieveri thoufand feven hundred barrels of pitch ; eigh 
 ty-two thoufand four hundred barrels of tar; and 
 twenty-eight thoufand one hundred of turpentine: 
 the whole amounting, in the port of exportation, to 
 one million two hundred and twenty-eight thoufand 
 livres tournois. 
 
 Thefe {lores were very valuable to the Englifli, as 
 well for their commerce as for their proper coni'iimp- 
 '-ion. Two confiderable manufactures, eftabiifhed 
 ?at Hull, were fupported by then); tar was there 
 convened into pitch, confiderable quantities of it 
 were exported to the fouth, where it was received 
 in competition with that from the north of Europe. 
 'Turpentine, converted, in thefe manufactures into 
 oil or fpirit, furnifhed a confiderable object of com 
 merce. England confumes a great deal of it in the 
 preparation of colours, varnifhes, &c. 
 
 The American revolution has not made the Eng- 
 liili lofe fight of thefe ftores : the want they have of 
 them makes it imprudent to trnft wholly to the ex 
 portation of thefe articles from Kuffia and Sweden, 
 where the Engliili have the Dutch for competitors, 
 Moreover, the navigation of America, lefs dangerous 
 than that of the Baltic, is not, like the Jaft, limited 
 to a certain time of the year; it is confequently more 
 frequent and lefs expensive; fo th:v. th-fc itores will 
 come for a long time from Ame* ics - '-ver price 
 O a thaw 
 
148 ON THE COMMENCE OF THE 
 
 than from the north. American tar is as good a? 
 that of Europe, thicker and more proper for making 
 pitch -, it is preferred for iheep, even at a higher 
 price. American turpentine is inferior to none but 
 that of France. 
 
 An Englifh merchant has taught the Ruffians how 
 to ftirnifh as good turpentine as that from any other 
 nation: this production will be in great abundance 
 there, by the numerous and immenfe forefts of firs in 
 the neighbourhood of Archangel, where their crops 
 are depofited. 
 
 The ftate of things {hews to France what value Ihe 
 ought to attach to the naval (lores which may be fur- 
 nifhed from America. The quantities of them ex 
 ported from Charleiton become more and more 
 confiderable.* The fandy foil near the fea, in North 
 Carolina and the fouth of Virginia, produces a great 
 quantity of firs, from which tar and turpentine are 
 extracted; this is done without much trouble, and 
 the facility of felling and preparing the trees is a great 
 encouragement. 
 
 SECTION VIII. 
 
 Timber and Wood, for Carpenters and Coopers work; fuch 
 as Staves-^ Cafe-heads^ Planks^ Boards, &c, 
 
 France, as well as England, ought to be, for their 
 own interefts, engaged to favour the importation of 
 thefe articles, of which the United States can furnifh 
 iuch great quantities. 
 
 fT*' 1 
 
 I imber 
 
 * In X7Sz. 2041 barrels of pitch, tar, and turpentine, were 
 -:ed from Charlefton. In 1783, 14697 barrels. 1 know 
 w many barrels the exportation of 1784 amounted to ; 
 rut that of 1785 confifted of 17,000. The fame increafe is 
 obferved in other articles. The moft confiderable is rice, af 
 terwards indigo j -the ether articles are, tobacco, oeer-fkins, 
 timber, wheat, bu:ter, wax, and leather. This exportation 
 amounts to near four hundred rhoufaad pounds flerling. 
 
UNITED STATES OlT AMERICA. 149 
 
 Timber fails in France, and will become more 
 and more fcarce; population deftroys it: yet tim 
 ber muft be found for houfes, mills, &c. hogiheatU 
 muft be made for fugars; calks and barrels for wine, 
 brandy, &c. Theie articles of timber are principally 
 furnifiied from the North to the ports of France 
 but they become dear, their quality diminishes, and 
 the Americans have the advantage in the carriage.* 
 
 The value of thefe articles, exported from Ameri 
 ca to Great-Britain only, amounted to two millions 
 of livres tournois in the year 1770, according to a 
 fiatement drawn up in the Cuftom-Houfe of Bollon. 
 The general exportations to the Englifii,. French, 
 American, and Spanifti iflands, and to the different 
 parts of Europe, are immenfe and become daily more 
 confiderable. Were not this timber of a good qua 
 lity, the increafe of this commerce would not be fo 
 rapid. The French have in this refpeft fome preju 
 dices, which it is of importance to deftroy. If the 
 American ftaves are efteemed in making rum cafks, 
 &c. they will undoubtedly preferve our brandies. 
 
 * It is neceffary to give our readers an idea of the price of 
 fome of thefe articles: an American very converfant in them 
 h-s furnished us with the neceflary particular?. 
 
 White oak planks, of two inches and a half thick, fa wed by 
 the hand, were fold in 1785, at fifteen piaftres, or two hun 
 dred and fixty livres ten fols tournois, the thoufand feet. 
 
 Ordinary planks of fine white pine, an inck thichj fourteen 
 or fifteen feet long, and from a foot to fourteen inches wide, 
 were fold at the fome time at feven piaftres, or thirty. feven 
 livres tournois, the thoufand feet. Tliofe of a double thick- 
 nefs, double the price. 
 
 Planks, from two to five inches thick, and from fifteen to 
 /ixty feet long, at* twenty-one pounds New-York money, or 
 two hundred and (eventy- three livres tournois, the thoufand 
 feet.- The fame perfon faid he had feen curbs or b-nt timber, 
 at ten ihillings New-York money a ton, the expence of cutting, 
 fcc. not included. 
 
 O 3 SECTION 
 
J0 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 SECTION IX. 
 
 I'' effels ccriftr ufted in America, to lejold or freighted. 
 
 It has been obferved that the bulk of the commo 
 dities which might be exchanged by the commerce 
 between France*"and the United States, was, at an 
 equal value, much more conftderable on the fide of 
 America than that of France. There refults from 
 this, that in thefe exchanges, a great number of Ame 
 rican veflels mu ft be fubjeft to return to America in 
 ballaft. This ftate of things would certainly be pre 
 judicial to the commerce between the two nations, 
 if feme compenfation could not be eftablifhed 
 which (hould remove the inequality. 
 
 This compenfation may be made in a very advan 
 tageous manner to both. The independent Ameri 
 cans conftrufl veflels for fale: if it be agreeable to a 
 nation to purchafe of another the articles which this 
 manufactures at a lefs expence, and with more means, 
 it follows, that the French ought to buy American 
 vefTels ; and, in fat, this commerce begins to be 
 fftabl i (lied. 
 
 Lord Sheffield reprobates this commerce with re- 
 fpeft to his own country. " Its exiftence," fays 
 his Lordfhip, " depends on its navy; this depen'ds 
 ** as much on Engliih '{hip-builders as on Englifh 
 <; failors; therefore, of all trades, that of fhip-build- 
 " ing is the moft important to be preferved in Great- 
 " Britain." The advances, according to his Lord 
 fhip, are of little confequence, and thefe vefleis no: 
 being deftined to be fold to foreigner^ what they coil 
 ought to be confidered fo much the lefs, as the ex- 
 pence is incurred in the country. 
 
 Lord Sheffield prefnmes alfo, that {hip-building 
 will be encouraged in New-Scotland, Canada, the 
 Ifland of St. John, &c. Finally, his Lordfhip declares, 
 c that the encouragement of fliip-building in the 
 
 " United 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I 5.-! 
 
 ** United States is ruinous to Great-Britain; that it 
 " is the fame to thofe who may purchafe American 
 " built vefiels; becaufe, notwithstanding their cheap- 
 " nefs, thefe veflels are little durable, from the na- 
 " ture of their materials." This obfervation relates 
 particularly to veflels built forfale, which, his Lord- 
 lliip fays, " are very inferior to thofe which are be-, 
 " fpoken." 
 
 It cannot be denied, that it is of confquence to a 
 nation which attaches a great importance to its navy, 
 to have (hip-builders. The repairs, &c. of which 
 veflels are conftantly in want, would be badly di 
 rected, if there were not, in the clafs of workmen 
 to whom this induftry belongs, men capable of 
 con(truc~tinga vefiel,and habituated to this conftruc- 
 tion. What is (till more, as foon as a nation has a 
 navy, it is greatly to its intereft to poflefs every 
 means of improving it; and the poflellion of thefe 
 means is fo much more fecure when there are efta- 
 bli(hments in the country which, in this cafe, fup- 
 port emulation, by the conftant exercife of the art. 
 
 But it does not follow, that to preferve fuch an 
 advantage, a nation ought to have no other veflels 
 than thofe which are home built: it is here neceflary 
 to diftinguifh {hips belonging to the royal navy from 
 merchant (hips. The firft are alone fufficient to 
 employ a requifite number of able builders, and to 
 ftipply every thing which the conftru6tion and re 
 pairs of veflels require. But merchant (hips, of which 
 a confiderable number is wanted, may be procured 
 from abroad, if thofe of an eqnal quality can be had 
 at a price considerably lefs. 
 
 Will it be faid, that a nation becomes fo much 
 the more powerful at fea, as the conftru6lion of vef- 
 fels is encouraged in her ports? that under this point 
 of view it is neceflary to be cautious not to furniili the 
 independent Americans with the means of forming a 
 
 navy, 
 
I$a GtfTHli COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 navy, which would render them formidable? that it 
 is at lead unneceffary to haften thefe means ? 
 
 If this confideration were true, it would in ibrne 
 meafure impofe on France a law to encourage th? 
 United States to form their navy; for, however for 
 midable her own may be, fhe has too many natural 
 obftacles to remove for her navy to be the effecl of 
 any thing but painful efforts, and confequently that 
 it ihoulcl be an eftablifhment very difficult to main 
 tain, very expensive, and fubjeift to long intermif- 
 tions. And fince it is necefLr.y to- fpeak conftantly 
 of a threatening rivality, of an armed rivality, 
 France has the greateft intereft, to balance more fu re 
 ly the force of her rivals, by calling to her aid the 
 naval force of a friendly people, of a people to 
 whom nature has been prodigal in the means (lie has 
 given them of having a confiderable one. 
 
 But the policy which refufed to purchafe Ameri 
 can veflels, for fear the Americans fhould become 
 formidable at fea, would be badly founded.- A fure 
 manner of retarding the eftablifhment of a navy, by 
 a nation which poffe fifes the means and materials; the 
 power and a&ivity which fuch a great eftablifhment 
 requires, is to employ it continually in theconftruc- 
 tion of veiTels for fale, and to habituate it to this kind 
 of commerce. If this nation, and fuch is the pofi- 
 tion of the United States, has nothing to fear inte 
 riorly from any other power, it will certainly defpife 
 all fuch military preparations, whole profit and utility 
 will not be fo immediately perceived, as the frequent 
 gains of peaceful commerce. Therefore, let the inde 
 pendent Americans be perfuaded to build veflels for 
 /ale: let them not be provoked to build fliips for de- 
 fenfive and offenfive operations, and they will neg- 
 left the great means with which nature has furniflud 
 them, of having a refpeftable navy: they will even 
 negleft them, when greater riches, and a more con- 
 
 fulerable 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. T^J 
 
 fidcrable population, (hall facilitate to them the ufe 
 of their natural means. 
 
 Far from luffering by this new arrangement of 
 things, France would gain thereby. This idea will 
 undoubtedly appear extraordinary, becaufe, in a- 
 bandoning workmanship to American {hip-builders, 
 France is deprived of it : but how eafily may flie 
 compenfate this apparent lofs ! In fact, when no 
 thing is to be had without labour, it is then confi- 
 dered as real riches : therefore, it ought to be em 
 ployed with a prudent economy, efpecially in the 
 fyftem of national rivalities. The workmen who 
 will not build veflels, will make cloth, with which 
 veflels may be paid for. The expence of manufac 
 turing thefe cloths will be paid at home, as that for 
 the conftruction of veflels would have been ; by 
 which means thefe will be had at a cheaper rate, 
 This labour and expence will therefore produce 
 greater advantages, and place the nation in a more 
 ceiirable relation with its rivals. 
 
 Finally, Lord Sheffield, whofe narrow policy is 
 here refuted, propofes that fhip-building fhould be 
 encouraged in Canada, New-Scotland, &c. But do 
 phylical circumftances favour thefe countries as 
 much as the United States? Can England reap real 
 advantages from this encouragement? It is a quei- 
 tion with which feveral writers have combated Lord 
 Sheffield, and on which I cannot decide. 
 
 But if England had this refource, France would 
 be without it. Veflels built in America will always 
 coft her lefs than her own, or thofeconftructed elfe- 
 where: fhe ought therefore to favour the introduc 
 tion of the iirft. 
 
 A celebrated minifler, whom France has reafort 
 to regret, thought as follows : his defign was to get 
 a part of the veflels of the French navy connructed 
 in Sweden; he thereby expected to make great fav- 
 
 ingst 
 
2_54 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 ings : they will be greater and more real, in getting* 
 the vefTels conftructed in the United States. 
 
 The Englifh tuemfelves will not be able to refift 
 the force of things; they will fooner or latter return 
 to the ufe of American veiTels ; for thtfe coft but a 
 third* of what Englifh veflels are builr for; and the 
 cheapnefs is the fir ft law of commerce. 
 
 The bad quality attributed to American veflels is- 
 a fable, anting from the following circumftances: in 
 the contention for independence, the Americans 
 built veflels in hyfte, to arm' them as cruifers : they 
 were forced to make life- of wood which was green, 
 and unprepared ; other things were either wanting 
 to theie veflels, or precipitately prepared. Conie- 
 quentiy the veflels were imperfect ; but this imper 
 fection was but accidental. A cruife is a lottery, 
 wherein no notice is taken of the goodnefs and dura 
 bility of the veflel. It is fufficient that it be a good 
 iailer, this is the eflential quality. 
 
 Peace has re- eftabli filed the conftruclion of veflels 
 in the manner it ought to be; and there are American 
 veflels built before the war, and fome thirty years agoj 
 which for goodnefs and duration are not inferior ta 
 any Englifh veflel. 
 
 More pro'orefs has been made in America than any 
 where elie in the art of fhip-building; this is eafily 
 explained: it mil ft not be forgotten, when the inde 
 pendent Americans are fpoken of, that they are not 
 recovering from a flate of barbarity. They are men 
 efcaped from European civilization, employed, fo to 
 jpeak, in creating their country and refources: no 
 iliackles reflrain their efforts, every thing in Europe 
 is looked upon as perfect, and made ufe of, without 
 thinking of improving it. Thefe two eflential dif 
 ferences 
 
 * In New-England the conftruftors of vefiels make their bar 
 gains at the rate of three pounds fterling per tou, carpenter's 
 work included. On the Thames, the price ii nine pounds Pcr~ 
 Jjpg for the workalune of the carpenter. 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IJJ 
 
 -ferences caufe a very confiderable one in the intensity 
 of induftry. 
 
 Bofton has produced a man aftonifliing in the art 
 of (hip-building. Long and clofely employed in the 
 fcarch of means to unite fwiftnefs of failing in veflels 
 to their folidity, Mr. Peck has had the greateft fuc- 
 cefs. It was his hand which produced the Beiifarius, 
 the Hazard, and theRattlefnake, which were fo par 
 ticularly diftinguiihed during the late war by their 
 fwiftnefs of failing. Veflels conflrucled by this able 
 builder have qualities which others have not; they 
 carry a fourth more, and (ail (after. Thefe facts are 
 authenticated by a number of experiments. 
 
 The Englifli themfelves acknowledge the fupe- 
 rlority of American (hip-build\ng: " The fined vef- 
 i{ fels," fays Colonel Champion, " are built at Phila- 
 " delphia; the art of (hip-building has attained in 
 " that city the higheft degree of prefeclion. Great 
 ** veiTels are built in New -York, alfo in the Chefa- 
 * 4 peak, and in South-Carolina: thefe laft, made of 
 *' green oak, are of an unequalled folidity and dura- 
 " bility." 
 
 The American Proverb fays : That to have a perfeft 
 ve/fil, it mujl have a Bofton bottofn and Philadelphia Jides, 
 
 The French, if connoifleurs be believed, are very 
 inferior to the Americans in the minutiae of {hip- 
 building. This fuperiority of America ought not 
 to furprife us: it will ftill increafe. The indepen 
 dent Americans who inhabit the coafts, live by the 
 fea, and pride themfelves in navigation. As they 
 have competitors, their genius will never fleep, nor 
 will its efforts be (hackled in any manner whatever. 
 In France, the people are, and ought to be culiva- 
 tors; the marine is but a fubordinate part, and by 
 the nature of things, it muft enjoy but a very preca 
 rious confideration. Honour, which affects the 
 head of every Frenchman, is diftributed but at Pa 
 ns and at Court ; and there men are, and muft dill 
 
 be, 
 
TCjG ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 be, far from perceiving the importance of attaching 
 merit to the improvement of (hip-building ; it ran ft 
 therefore languifh, or yield to that of the Ameri 
 cans. Hence it refults, that the French, in pre- 
 ferving every thing which can maintain amongft 
 them an able clafs of mip-builders, muft buy veflels 
 of the Americans; becaufe every convenience is 
 united to that of facilitating their reciprocal impor 
 tations and exportations, of which the bulks are fo 
 different in one nation from thofe of the other. 
 
 This circumftance is attended with the advantage 
 of procuring the French merchant an American vef- 
 fel at a lefs price than if he had ordered ittobe built, 
 or if he bought it in America, becaufe it will always 
 be more to the intereft of the American to fell his 
 veflel, than to take it back in ballaft. 
 
 Such is the fitnefs of American veflels for the 
 French marine, and especially for merchant fervice ; 
 fuch is that fitnefs for all the European powers who 
 have harbours and lea-port towns, that I think a fure 
 and commodious road in Europe would foon be af- 
 forted with American veflels for fale, if every thing 
 which can encourage a like depofitory were granted 
 to the port wherein this road might be. This mar 
 ket for veflels will be eftablifhed; the Englifti reject 
 it. France will, in a fhort time, encourage it. 
 
 SECTION X. 
 
 General Confederations on the preceding Catalogue of Im 
 portations from the United States into France. 
 
 The lift which I have gone through of the arti 
 cles with which the independent Americans may 
 furnifti Europe in exchange for her merchandize is 
 not very long; but thefe articles are confiderable, 
 and important enough in themfelves to merit the at 
 tention of European merchants: they are fufficient 
 to deftroy the prejudices of thofe who, under the 
 
 falfe 
 
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I $f 
 
 falfe pretext of the inability of the Americans to fur- 
 iiifh articles of exchange, difdain a reciprocal com 
 merce with the United States. Thefe articles are not, 
 however, the only ones which France may receive 
 from them. Independently of pot-afh, fo precious 
 to manufacturer, and of which the fcarcity becomes 
 daily nure fenfible, iron, vegetable-wax, wool, flax, 
 hemp, &c. may increafe the number. The Englilh 
 received of pot-am to the amount of four hundred 
 thoufanxl livres per annum, during the years 1768, 
 1769, and 1770: pot-am being the produce of the 
 wood burnt by the Americans, and as the burning 
 of wood muft increafe with the number of people, 
 .the quantities of pot-aili muft have increafed with 
 Copulation. 
 
 I ought to hope that the work, once known in 
 the United States, will excite the independent Ame 
 ricans to co-operate with me, in what I have pro- 
 pofed to myfelf, which is to fpread inftruction on 
 every thing which relates to their country. They 
 .will make known to Europe, in a more extenfive 
 -and complete manner, every thing which can main 
 tain that reciprocal commerce in favour of which 
 I write.: they will aflemble in a work correfpondent 
 to this, all that I have been able to expofe but 'im 
 perfectly: they will rectify my errors. I invite them 
 to apply to this interefting fubject: I pray them to 
 give it for a bads, more philofophical, and philan- 
 throphical principles, than thofe which have hither 
 to directed the jealous induftry of each fociety. For 
 -each, led on by a blind ambition, has wimed to 
 embrace every thing, to do every thing at home, 
 and furnifh every thing to others; each has taken 
 for principle to receive nothing from others, except 
 it be gold; each has accuftomed itfelf to Took upon, 
 .every production, manufactured or unmanufactured, 
 which it fent abroad as a profit, and all thofe which 
 it received as fo many lofles. Such is the falfe prin- 
 P ciple, 
 
If^S ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 ciple, according to which all the European nations 
 have directed their exterior commerce. 
 
 What would be the confequence of a like fyftem, 
 if it continued to prevail? All nations would be 
 Grangers to each other, and exterior commerce ab- 
 folutely annihilated; becaufe it tends to take from 
 this commerce that which fupports it. For the gold 
 which is wifhed for in payment .for exportations is 
 refufed to thofe who would obtain it: all nations 
 look upon the neceflity of giving it alike; that it is 
 difadvantageous and drive to avoid it. If, there 
 fore, on one fide, -none will take return in kind, and 
 on the other, nobody will difpoiTefs himfelf of his 
 gold, what will become of exchanges? .what \vill 
 become of commerce? 
 
 Nature, which intended to make men fo many 
 brothers, and nations fo many families; nature, 
 which, to unite all men by the fame tie, has given 
 them wants, which place them in a ftate of depen 
 dence one on the other; this wife nature has, by 
 the diftribution of her giftr : , anticipated and con 
 demned this exclufive fyftern. She has faid to the 
 inhabitants of Nantucket, The rock which thou in 
 habit is rude and ftormy; renounce, therefore, the 
 defire of drawing from ,it .the delicious wines and 
 fruits which more calm and temperate climates pro 
 duce. Look at the fea which furrounds thee, that 
 is thy property and thy treafure: I have made it inex- 
 hauftible; and if thou knoweft how to make ufe of 
 it; if thou wilt confine thyfelf. thereto, all the enjoy 
 ments of the other continent are thine: a (ingle 
 ilroke of a harpoon, dexteroufly thrown, will pro 
 duce a thoufand times more wine in thy ceHar, than 
 if by a painful cultivation thou continued obftinatc, 
 in acYmg contrary to my intentions. 
 
 Nature holds the fame language to the other inha 
 bitants of the earth: fhe tells the French to ufe all 
 their efforts in the fruitful foil wnich ftie has given 
 thc$i. 9 
 
STATES OF AMERICA'. 1 $C) 
 
 and to ceafe traverfing foreign feas to obtain, 
 at an immenfe expence and mucn rifle, the fifh and 
 oil which the inhabitants of Nantucket procure with 
 greater facility and more fucccfs and economy. 
 
 Why mould not all nations underftand a language 
 fo fimple, ib wife, and io. proper to produce nniver- 
 fal harmony? But how are they to be made to un-- 
 derftand it? By what means are they to be prevail 
 ed upon to adopt 1 it ? What means are proper to en 
 gage nations which might have a direct commerce 
 between them, to fign a treaty of commerce, which 
 fhould leave each at liberty to furniih that which it 
 could export better and cheaper than others; and 
 thus eftablifh exchanges on the immutable laws of 
 Mature?- 
 
 As foon as nations (hall be enlightened enough to 
 perceive the advantage of fuch a treaty, from that 
 moment it will ceafe to be neceflary, and every other 
 treaty will be ftill lefs fo. It will then be feen, that 
 they all center in the (ingle word liberty p . It will be 
 difcovered that liberty can put every thing in its 
 place; that liberty alone, without negochtion or 
 parchment, can every where give birth to an advan 
 tageous induftry. Finally, that every where, and at 
 ail times, Hie has fported with thofe commercial 
 conventions, of which politicians have fo ridicu- 
 loully boafted; of thofe conventions wherein the 
 contracting parties are inceflantly on the defenfive 
 with refpect to each other inceflantly difpofed to 
 deceive, and frequently multiply the feeds of war in 
 a work of peace. 
 
 Under fuch a fydem of liberty, there would be no 
 longer occafion for craftinefs in national policy with, 
 refpect to commerce: of what ufe would it be? 
 l\o more drifej for it would have no object.: no 
 more jealoufy or rivalityj no more fear of making 
 others profper and become rich; becaufe the riches 
 cif each flats would be advantageous to the whole. 
 P2 In 
 
:6o ON THE COMMERCE OF THIS 
 
 In a word, according to this fyftem, each naiioir 
 would wifh the other more means, in order to have 
 more to give and more to receive. Commerce 
 xvould -become what it ought to be, the exchange of 
 induftry againil induftry ; of enjoyments againit en 
 joyments, and not r.gainft deprivations: finally, a 
 ftate of riches, without poverty on any fide. 
 
 What people have more right and title than the 
 Americans, to be the firft in adopting fo philanthro 
 pies! a fyftem, and which is fo conformable to the 
 laws of nature at leaft to do nothing which mail 
 retard it among them? Let their Congrefs, that 
 refpectable aflembly, which may become the light 
 of nations, and from whole deliberations univerfal 
 happinefs may refult, remain faithful to the indica 
 tions of this nature; let it interrogate her conftantlyj 
 and give every nation the fame ialutary habitude. 
 
 If Europe refufes to admit the productions of the 
 United States, let Congrefs, rejecting the poor policy 
 of reprifals, open, by a great and republican refolu- 
 lion, their ports to all European productions. What 
 evil can refult from this to the independent Ameri 
 cans? If European prohibitions rendered their 
 means of exchange ufelefs, European merchandize 
 mil ft of courfe be without a market in America ; or, 
 falling to a mean price in the United States, it would 
 become profitable to the Americans in paying for it 
 even with gold. 
 
 The law may be given to. an idle and degraded na 
 tion, but never to one which is active and induftri- 
 ous. This always punifhes, in fome manner or 
 other, the tyrannical proceedings of other nations. 
 The force of things is alone fufficient to revenge it. 
 
 it is a misfortune to the United "States, in not 
 having been able to eftablifh at firft the noble fyftem 
 of which I have fpoken, and to ' e obliged to have 
 recourfe to the miferable means of other govern 
 ments, that of impofiug duties on foreign merchan 
 dize 
 
STATES OF AMERICA* it 
 
 <lize to pay their debts. Every impofition but a quit- 
 rent upon land is a fonrce of errors. The pretemkd 
 protecting duties impofed in Europe are one confe- 
 quence of thefe errors, and of which the effecl: leads 
 government aftray, fo far as to perfuade them, that 
 they poflefs a creative force equal to that of the Divi 
 nity himfelf. And what are thefe enterprifes by 
 which men would force nature? Miferable hoi- 
 houfes, wherein everything is haftened to finifli 
 the fooner; wherein induftry vainly exhaufts itfelf 
 to iupport an unnatural exiftence; and wherein a vi 
 gorous whole is frequently facrificed to a corrupted 
 part. 
 
 Let the Americans carefully avoid thefe erroneous 
 enterprifes: to in f LI re themfelves therefrom, let them 
 confider the ftate of Europe. The Europeans have 
 no longer any judgment in matters of impoft : (imple 
 ideas are loft, and become impoffible to be realized 
 by the metaphyfician, which it is neceiTary to employ 
 to combat ignorance, prejudices and habitudes: all 
 ideas of juftice and propriety are confounded. A 
 truth cannot be advanced without meeting, at every 
 moment, falfe notions to combat. The man of in 
 formation is fatigued^- difgufted, and frequently at a 
 iofs what to anfwer to objections proceeding from 
 habits of error, He perceives with concern, that 
 the laws of happinefs cannot be written, but upon 
 tables from which there is -nothing to be effaced : and 
 fuch, I flatter myfelf, is the fituation of the United 
 States. They are yet virgin ftates they are unac 
 quainted with the inftitutions which end in chaos,, 
 wherein the love of public good lofes all its force. 
 
 Montefquieu obferves, that the enterprifes of mer 
 chants are always necefTarily mixed with public af 
 fairs; but that in monarchies, public affairs are for 
 the moft part fufpicious in the eyes of the merchants. 
 But profperity and national glory depend on corrr- 
 aaerce, as much in monarchies as in other conftitir- 
 P 3 
 
162. ON THt COMMENCE OF THE 
 
 tions. It is therefore the Interefl of monarchies to 
 give to merchants that hope of profperity which they 
 have in republics, and which inclines them with ar 
 dour to every kind of commercial enterprife. 
 
 Provincial adminiftrations are the fureft means of 
 producing this happy effect. If they were already 
 eftablifhed, the French would comprehend, how ab- 
 furb it is to imagine that the United States will not 
 difcharge their public debt; how impoffible it is that 
 Republicans ihould make ufe of the difhonourable 
 refource of bankruptcy and deception ; and that their 
 public fpirit, their morals, and intereft, require them 
 to difcharge this debt, contracted for the moft legiti 
 mate and honourable caufe that ever exifted; and 
 which is otherways but an atom when compared 
 with their immenfe refources. French merchants 
 would then give themfelves lefs concern about the 
 manner in which their merchandize was to be paid 
 for in America. For in the improbable cafe of a 
 want of American productions, or of precious me 
 tals, they have, as a lafl refource, the paper of Con- 
 grefs and the States ; which paper it is an advantage 
 to acquire, by the price at which it is obtained, by 
 the intereft it bears, the certainty of its being paid, 
 and by the confequent tranfmiffion which may be 
 made of it in commerce to the Dutch merchant, to 
 whom the paper of the whole world becomes necef- 
 fary the moment it merits confidence. 
 
 I have mentioned precious metals. The Ameri 
 cans are in the neighbourhood of the countries which 
 produce them. Thefe countries are the abodes of 
 indolence, which difpenfes not with necefTaries. 
 Skins, &c. of animals, and fome metals, are every 
 thing that can be given there in exchange for articles 
 of fubfiflence, which the inhabitants have not the 
 courage to make their lands produce, and for the 
 neceflaries, for which they find it more convenient 
 to pay with gold than with their induftry. The in- 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, l6j 
 
 dependent Americans will become factors, advanta- 
 geoufly placed between European manufactures, and 
 the inhabitants of regions condemned by nature to 
 the fterile productions of metals. All the powers of 
 Spain cannot prevent this, nor ought even to under 
 take it. This new confideration promiling to the 
 French payment, fo fbolilhly defired in gold, ought 
 to encourage them to prepare for a commercial coo* 
 nexion with the United States. 
 
 C CONCLUSION, 
 
 And Refleftions on the Situation of the United States,. 
 
 XT will be proper to fmiih this volume by fome 
 explanations of the pretended troubles which agi 
 tate the United States. Thefe explanations are ne~ 
 ceflary to deilroy the unfavourable imprefiions which 
 rauft be made by the unfaithful recitals of gazette 
 writers, who, from fervile prejudices or mean inte- 
 reft, affect to fpread doubts of the happy confequen- 
 ces of the revolution. If we believe thefe people, 
 the independent Americans are plunged into inextri 
 cable em ban-ailments, forced to become bankrupts, 
 given up to the moft violent anarchy, expofed to the 
 tomahawk of the implacable Indians, &c. How is 
 it poflible to refolve to carry on a commerce with 
 people vvhofe iltuation is fo deplorable? Ought not 
 their ruin to be feared rather than their fortune hoped 
 for, in the connexions which it is wifhed to form 
 with them? 
 
 It is necefiary to refute thefe falfehoods. It is fa- 
 much the more fo, as ignorance eafily leads people, 
 little acquainted with republican conilituuoas, into 
 
IC-4 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 error; and that, led aflray by the prejudices of their 
 educations, a great number of Frenchmen look upon 
 this form of government ns a itate perpetually in a 
 ierrnent, \vherein life and property are continually 
 expofed to the greateft dangers. 
 
 Thefe prejudices lead to the belief of the mod 
 puerile and abfurd fables. The leaf! attention is not 
 paid to circumlhnces. Would the United States 
 have a Congrefs of magistrates if it were true that 
 the people were at war with them? For how could 
 Congrefs and the magiftrates defend themfelvesr 
 They have no other defence but the refpect which 
 each individual has for the law; this is their only 
 force. It is the obligation that the conilitution im- 
 pofes on them, in common with the meaneft citi- 
 2ens, of being obedient to the law, as the lait 
 means which conftitute their only fafety, and which 
 maintains, in all cafes and every where, the authority 
 which the people have confided in them. They 
 cannot employ a. phyfical force farther than the peo 
 ple are willing to lend them, becaule they have nei 
 ther an army nor foldiers in pay. 
 
 A diverfity of opinion, exifts wherever there are 
 men. It belongs not to one .con&itution more than 
 to another; but the -eflbnce of a republican govern 
 ment is to leave to each individual the libsrty : of ex- 
 preffmg his fentimerits on every fubjecl. 
 
 In the United States* Icgiflation is more and more 
 formed in proportion as things relative to each other- 
 are verified, extended, and multiplied. Is it afto- 
 ziifhing that debates fhould arife on account of the 
 different laws which are propofed, difculled, and 
 adopted? Thefe debates become public, animate 
 converfation, and make it .highly intere-fting. But 
 is this anarchy? 
 
 The vvx^rd anarchy is one of thofe words which 
 has been moft abufed and mifapplied. Ic is there- 
 fese JKcelTary to explain it, 
 
 Where 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. l^ 
 
 Where anarchy reigns, there is neither chief, go 
 vernment, laws, nor fafety. Each individual be 
 comes the defender of his own perfon, the focial 
 contract is broken, and there is no longer any con 
 fidence or tranfa&ions, becaufe there can be no 
 more contracts. Authority, changing at every in- 
 ftant its rules, principles, and aim, becomes cruel 
 or contemptible; it deftroys, or is deftroyed. Such 
 a ftare ex ids not long; or if it does exift, it foon di 
 vides fociety into armed herds, enemies to each 
 other, and which fubiift but in proportion as they 
 fear and counterbalance each other's power. 
 
 Is any thing like this feen in the United States <: 
 Arc there difputes even about the principles of the 
 conftitution, the fundamental laws, or the propofed 
 end? Has not every thing relative to this been long 
 fince agreed upon? The prefent debates relate 
 wholly to fome rules of adminiftration : it is upon 
 the beft manner of ferving the public caufe, and of 
 fupporting it, that minds are flili in a falutary agita 
 tion; and this agitation hinders not more the regular 
 courfe of public affairs and tranfartions, than the 
 debates in the Englifii Parliament hinder the mo 
 narch from naming to offices and conferring rank 
 than they flop the courfe of judice, or are impedi 
 ments to the affairs of every clafs of citizens. 
 
 The word anarchy is proper to dates which, like 
 Egypt, have twenty -four fovereigns, and neither 
 laws nor government. It is applicable to the dege 
 nerated conftitutions of Afia, where the admin idra- 
 tion is divided into feveral. departments, independent 
 of each other, traverfing one another in their views 
 and pretenfions, the operations of one part interfer 
 ing with thofe of the other, all having the power of 
 making particular laws, or of fufpending the effort 
 of thofe which exift. There a real anarchy reigns, 
 becanfe.it is not known where the government is, 
 nor in whom the legiilatlve power i$ veiled. This 
 
 incertitude 
 
l66 ON THE COMMERCE OF 'ffl/ 
 
 incertitude brings on diforder, renders property un- 
 iiablc, and endangers perfbnal i?-fetv 
 
 None of theie evils exift in- the United States. 
 America is not yet gnawed by the vermin which 
 devour Europe, by indeftru&ible mendicity :' thieves 
 render not her forefts dangerous; her public roads 
 are not flamed with blood ihed by afTaffins. How 
 ihould there be aflaffins and robbers? There are no- 
 beggars, no indigent perfons, no fubje&s forced to- 
 Heal thefubfiitence of others to procure one to than-- 
 feives. Every man rinds there lands to produce hin; : 
 articles of fubliftence : it is not loaded with taxes, 
 but renders to each, with ufuryy a wcompenfe for 
 his labour. A man who can live eafy and honour 
 ably, never confents to dishonour himfelf by nfelefs 
 crimes, which deliver him to the torments of rernorfe v 
 diflionour, and the vengeance cf fociety.- 
 
 The ravages of the feven years war'were undoubt 
 edly terrible; but as focn as the faulchion could be 
 converted into a plough- (hare,, the land became fer 
 tile, and mifery difappeared.- The American foldiers 
 were citizens; and they were alio proprietors before 
 they became ioldiero;. they remained citizens in uni 
 form, and returned to their profeifions on quitting 
 it: they did not fight for money, nor by profeiiion, 
 bat for their liberty, their wives, children, and pro-- 
 perty; and fuch foldisrs never lefembled the banditti 
 of the old continent,., who are paid for killing their 
 fellow-creatures,, and who kill on the highways for 
 their own account, when peace -obliges-their mailers- 
 to difband them.- There has been ieen in America 
 (what the annals of the. world prefers! not in any 
 ftate, except that of Rome) a General,. adored by his 
 ibldiers, diveit hhnfell' of hi? power ns foon as his 
 jtrvices became no lonjier neceirary, and retire into 
 the bofom of !>jace and ohfcurity : a numerous ar 
 my, which was not p;i:J, \va:- ilen er.tToufiy to con- 
 feiit to di. , re-, 
 
STATES OF AMERICA. 167 
 
 t-re, each to his home, without committing the leafi: 
 eliforder, and where each tranquilly retook either his 
 plough, or his nrft trade or profcffion; thcfe trades 
 which we in Europe look upon as vile. 
 
 The following advertifement is taken from the 
 American papers, in which there are a thoufand 
 ethers of a like nature. 
 
 Two brothers, Captains who diftinguifhed them* 
 Selves during the war, returned at the peace to their 
 trade of hat-making; they inferted in the gazette 
 an advertifement as follows : 
 
 " The brothers Bickers inform the public, that 
 " they are returned to their old profeflion of hatters., 
 a which they had abandoned to defend the liberty 
 " of their country. They hope that their fellow-ci- 
 " tizens will be pleafed, in confideration of their 
 *' courage and fervices, to favour them in their bu- 
 " linefs, and prefer them to others." What Euro 
 pean Captain would put his name to a like advertife- 
 ,ment ? 
 
 This is what refults from liberty: but what is in- 
 .conceivable in mod European ftates, a military fpi- 
 Tit reigns there, and its prejudices are predominant, 
 'War is the read to glory, ambition, and fortune; and 
 to preferve to this profeilion it.s luftre and prepon 
 derance, it is an eftablimed principle, that zftandlng 
 army is necefiary to maintain order in fociety; that 
 it ought .always to threaten the citizens, although 
 peaceful, to keep them in fubmiffion to authority* 
 This ufelefs burden, this pernicious fpirit, is un 
 known to the United States ; public fpirit, much 
 more favourable to good order, takes its place, and 
 peace and fafety reign without marechau0ee or fpies, 
 or that police which disparages the morals and cha 
 racters of citizens. Public fpii it fupplies the place 
 of all thefe means, whilft they will never fupply tiie 
 want of public fpirit; nor, like it, produce the hap. 
 pinefs of fociety. 
 
 la 
 
StJ8 ON THE COMMERCE OF THE 
 
 In vain will prejudiced men exclaim, that this -is 
 declamation- I offer them iacls. It is necefTary to 
 read the American gazettes not thofc altered by the 
 Englifn gazette-writeis, but tliofe which are printed 
 in America: thefe only can give a juft idea of the 
 Situation of the United States. 
 
 The American fhould rather defpife Europe, in 
 remarking to us the continual (laughter \ve make of 
 thieves and afTaffins; in comparing the immenfe 
 number of dungeons, prifons, hofpitals, and eftab- 
 Hihments of every kind, inftituted to cure or palliate 
 the incurable ulcers of the old inftitutions : in com 
 paring this difgnfting lift with the very few murders 
 and thefts committed in the United States, with the 
 hofpitals, truly di-meftic and humane, which are eftab- 
 lifhed there, with the happiuefs of each American 
 family and fheir fimple manners; and in proving- to 
 us, by their example, that a wile liberty regulates the 
 focial man, and renders ufelefs thole ruinous ma 
 chines with which he is crumed, left he fhould do 
 any harm. 
 
 Thefe are the men, the laws, and the govern 
 ment, which Europeans have calumniated. Thefe 
 men who are deftinecl to regenerate the dignity of 
 the human fpecies! Thefe laws which fcourge no 
 thing but crimes, which punifhthem every where, 
 and are never filent in the face of power ! This go 
 vernment, which is the firft that ever prefented the 
 image of a numerous family, well united, and com 
 pletely happy; wherein power is juft, becaufe it circu 
 lates through every hand, and refts in none; where 
 in obedience, becaufe it is voluntary, anticipates 
 command ; wherein admimftration is fimpleand eafy; 
 becaufe it leaves induftry to itfelf ; wherein the ma 
 gi ftrate has little to do, becaufe the citizen is free, 
 and that a citizen always refpecls the law and his 
 fellow creatures! Thefe are the prodigies which we 
 .calumniate; we, Europeans, enflaved by antiquated 
 
STATES OF AMERICA. 169 
 
 confutations, and by the habitudes given to us by 
 prejudices, of which we know not either the barba 
 rity or the frivoloufnefs ! We fpeak well, but aft 
 badly; why, therefore, do we calumniate me<., who 
 not only fpeak but aft well? If it be not pe"*Vitted 
 MS to have their virtues, nor to enjoy their happi- 
 nefs, let us not decry them ; let us refpect that fu- 
 periority to which we cannot att 
 
 It will, perhaps, be objected, t-'ai the government 
 of England has deferred the ccnciufion of a treaty of 
 commerce with the United States, under the pre 
 text that their constitutions were not yet fufficiently 
 eftabliflied. But can it be imagined that the English, 
 who trade in Turky, with the Algerines, and at Grand 
 Cairo, were ferious when they decried and rejected 
 commercial connexions with the United States, un 
 der the pretence that their legiflation was not yet well 
 enough eftabliihed ? 
 
 It cannot be doubted that the difference*of pofition 
 between the French and Englifh merchants, refpect- 
 ing their governments, has a great influence upon 
 their reciprocal profperity; and for this reafon, it 
 ihould be inceflantly repeated to the French govern 
 ment, that if it wifhes to infure profperity to its com 
 merce, it ought to adopt the means, which are, liberty 
 of a fling, the right of protefting againft the attempts 
 made on that liberty, and the certainty of juftice, 
 without refpeft to perfons: thefe are the bafis of the 
 genius, induflry, and greatnefs of a ftate; and with 
 out which, a great commerce cannot exift: this bafis 
 may be eafily conciliated with the French conftitu- 
 tion. 
 
 Parity February , 1789. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
APPENDIX; 
 
 CONSISTING OF 
 
 AUTHENTIC PAPERS 
 
 AND 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Addfd by the Editor. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Rffurn of the whole Number of Perfons ivitfun the federal Dtf- 
 trifls of the United States, according to " an Aft providing 
 for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States ;" 
 pa/fed March the ijl, 1791. 
 
 The return for South-Carolina having been made fince the following 
 Schedule was originally printed, the whole Enumeration is here 
 given complete, except for the North-Weftern Territory, of which 
 no Return has yet been pubjifhed. 
 
 
 3 
 
 M 
 
 *2 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 S <*, 
 
 
 
 6^ 
 
 ,0 
 
 
 
 
 S || 
 
 U 
 
 
 Cu 
 
 
 
 DISTRICTS. 
 
 3 ~G A 
 
 j= s 
 
 I J 
 
 J 
 
 Slafves. 
 
 Total. 
 
 
 ~ * fcjO 
 
 VO 
 
 *^ bO 
 
 C 
 
 <u 
 
 
 
 
 S S/fJ 
 
 t-* ^) 
 
 fi "5 < 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 
 ^11 
 
 c 
 a 
 
 M : ! 
 
 
 
 
 
 Vermont 
 
 2*435 
 
 22,328 
 
 40,505 
 
 Z55 
 
 16 
 
 85,539 
 
 N.Hamp/hire 
 
 36,086 
 
 34 ; 85'i 
 
 70,160 
 
 630 
 
 158 
 
 141,885 
 
 Maine 
 
 24,384 
 
 24,748 
 
 46,870 
 
 
 NONE 
 
 96,540 
 
 Maflachufetti 
 
 95.453 
 
 87,289 
 
 190,582 
 
 5463 
 
 NONE 
 
 378,787 
 
 Rhode-Ifland 
 
 16,019 
 
 
 32,652 
 
 3407 
 
 948 
 
 68,825 
 
 Connecticut 
 
 60,523 
 
 54,403 
 
 117,44? 
 
 28o8 
 
 2764 
 
 237,946 
 
 New- York 
 
 83,700 
 
 78,322 
 
 152,320 
 
 4654 
 
 21,324 
 
 340,120 
 
 New-Jerfey 
 
 Pennsylvania 
 
 iio', 7 SS 
 
 41,446 
 106,948 
 
 8 3 ,28 7 
 206,363 
 
 2762 
 6537 
 
 37.17 
 
 184,139 
 434,373 
 
 Delaware 
 
 
 12,143 
 
 21,384 
 
 3 8 99 
 
 8887 
 
 59,094. 
 
 Maryland 
 
 55,915 
 
 5i>339 
 
 101,395 
 
 8043 
 
 103,036 
 
 319,728 
 
 Virginia 
 
 310,936 116,335 
 
 215,046 
 
 12,866 
 
 292,627 
 
 747,610 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 115,154 17,057 
 
 28,922 
 
 114 
 
 12,430 
 
 73> 6 77 
 
 N. Carolina 
 
 69,988 
 
 77,506 
 
 140,710 
 
 4975 
 
 100,572 
 
 393,751 
 
 S. Carolina 
 
 35'57^ 
 
 37,722 
 
 66,880 
 
 i So i 
 
 107,094 
 
 249, 73 
 
 Georgia 
 
 I3,ie 3 | 14,044 
 
 25,739 
 
 . 39^ 
 
 29,264 
 
 82,548 
 
 
 807,094 
 
 791, 850 1, -41,263 
 
 59, * 5 
 
 
 3,29^,63 f, 
 
 
 11 
 
 c o 
 
 3 to 
 
 & 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 
 g S 
 
 1 1 
 
 J 
 
 M 
 
 Slaves. 
 
 Total. 
 
 
 "I ^| 
 
 i T 
 
 "S 
 
 S 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 
 u f ? 
 
 4J ^ U 
 
 SJ 15 
 
 ^ c 
 
 
 
 
 |ul '~o 3* 
 
 tfcj2^sJ G 
 
 -t.o 
 
 
 
 S.W.Terriy. 
 
 627J 
 
 10,277 
 
 J 5'3 bl 5 
 
 301 
 
 3-f J 7| 35> <3 9 I 
 
 Sf. ditto. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 _ J 
 
 U.3 
 
 Schedule 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Schedule of the whole Number of Perfons in the Territory of 
 the United States of America, South of the River Ohio, as 
 taken on the loft Saturday of Jaly, 1791, fy the Captains 
 of tJie Militia within the Limits of their rejpeftive Diftrifts. 
 
 WASHINGTON 
 
 DISTRICT. 
 
 ^ fWafiiington 
 
 3L \ Sullivan 
 c -^ Greene 
 o j Hawkins 
 
 U LS. of F. Broad 
 
 MERO 
 
 DISTRICT. 
 
 vS f" Davidfon 
 o < Sumner 
 & i Tennefiee 
 
 i'JI 
 
 
 c 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 S v2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 c 
 
 3 
 
 s 
 
 S 
 
 3 j 
 
 g 
 
 ^ -S 
 
 O- 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 B 
 
 
 
 " t> 
 
 S 
 
 
 *^ 
 
 *^ 
 
 v a w 
 
 ^ c-S 
 
 2 | 
 
 "f WJ 
 
 r c 
 
 J ^ 
 
 
 m 
 
 V 
 
 (ta 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 * ! * 
 
 ^ - 
 
 8"-5 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 
 c c* 
 
 
 O 
 
 > 
 
 3 
 
 "5 
 
 * S .H 
 
 b 13 
 
 ^11 
 
 ^5 
 
 ft 
 
 ^ 
 
 o 
 
 1X1 "~ 
 
 13 
 
 .5 E 
 
 <; 
 
 53 
 
 H 
 
 J* 
 
 1009 
 
 1792 
 
 2524 
 
 12 
 
 535 
 
 5872 
 
 
 806 
 
 1242 
 
 '995 
 
 107 
 
 297 
 
 4447 
 
 
 1293 
 
 374 
 
 3580 
 
 40 
 
 454 
 
 774J 
 
 
 1204 
 
 681 
 
 I 97 C 
 
 1082 
 
 2921 
 1627 
 
 68 
 66 
 
 807 
 163 
 
 6970 
 3619 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 28,649 
 
 6 39 
 
 855 
 
 1288 
 
 18 
 
 655 
 
 3459 
 
 
 404 
 
 582 
 
 854 
 
 8 
 
 34* 
 
 2196 
 
 
 235 
 
 380 
 
 5/6 
 
 42 
 
 
 >3*/ 
 
 7042 
 
 6271 10,277 
 
 5365 
 
 3613417 
 
 
 35)^91 
 
 Note. There are fevcral Captains vho have not as yet returned 
 the Schedules of the numbers of their Difrri&s, namely 5 in Greene 
 County, threein Davidfon, one and South of French-Board, one 
 
 September igth, 1791. 
 
 By the Governor, 
 
 DANIEL SMITH, Secretary. 
 
 W. BLOUNT. 
 
 Truly dated from the original returns depofited in the 
 office cf the Secretary of State. 
 
 T.JEFFERSON. 
 Qftober 24 7 1791. 
 
 Ife 
 
'APPENDIX. I7 
 
 In point of fize the towns in the United States 
 may be ranked in this order: Philadelphia, New- 
 York, Bofton, Baltimore, Charlefton, &c. In point 
 of trade, New-York, Philadelphia, Bofton, Charlef 
 ton, Baltimore, &c. 
 
 From the preceding tables it is indubitable that 
 the number of inhabitants in the United States con- 
 liderably exceeded four millions in the year 1791, 
 exclufive of thofe in the Northern Territory, and 
 fome other diftri&s. If to this we add Dr. Frank 
 lin's calculation, " That the number of the inha 
 bitants of America is double every twenty years," 
 this number muft be increafed to confiderably above 
 eight millions in the year 1811, exclufive of emi 
 grants from the Old World. 
 
 The Englifh reader, we hope, will not be offend 
 ed, if, in this place, we fay a word or two on the 
 population of Great-Britain. It is a current opi 
 nion, that the population of our ifland is yearly in- 
 creafmg. The faft is quite the reverfe: but the af- 
 fertion would fignify nothing, if there were not in- 
 conteftible proofs of it. The proofs are thefe ; 
 
 Number of houfes in England and 
 Wales, taken from the return of the fur- 
 veyors of the houfe and window duties; 
 wherein they are ftated diftinctly, charg 
 ed, chargeable and excufed. 
 Total of houles in 1759 . 986,483 
 
 in 1761 . . 980,693 
 
 : in 1777 9S2>734 
 
 Total of houfes according to the 
 hearth-books in 1690, as ftated by Dr. 
 Davenant (fee his works, vol. i. page 38) 1,319,21$ 
 
 In Scotland the number of houfes paying the 
 houfe and window duties was, in 1777, only 
 36,206. 
 
 If the diftridl: returns of the parifhes are examin 
 ed, it will be manifeft, that a calculation of five 
 
 perfons 
 
'lytf APPENDIX. 
 
 perfons to every houfe is a large allowance, i 
 all which this refult is obvious That the number 
 of inhabitants in England and Wales is confiderably 
 fhort of five millions! that, perhaps, including Scot 
 land, the whole ifland of Great-Britain does not ex 
 ceed that number. 
 
 The curiofity of the prefent moment may allow 
 us to caft our eye upon France, concerning this fub- 
 je&. The intendants of the provinces of France 
 were ordered, in the years 1771 and 1772, to make 
 a return of the number of inhabitants in their re- 
 fpeclive diftri&s. The return of 1772 ftates the 
 number to be 25,741,320. See Recherches fur la po 
 pulation Je la France, par M. Moheau. . 
 
 It would be a right meafure in every government 
 to caufe a furvey to be made annually of the num 
 ber of inhabitants. It is done at Naples by order of 
 the King, and is publifhed annually in the Court 
 Calenders. America will probably follow the ex 
 ample. 
 
 Obfervations on the Population, of America. Written by 
 Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Printed at Philadelphia in 
 the Year 1755. 
 
 Tables of the proportion of marriages to births, 
 of deaths to births, of marriages to the numbers of 
 inhabitants, &c. formed on obfcrvations made on 
 the bills of mortality, chriftem'ngs, &c. of populous- 
 cities, will not fuit countries; nor will tables formed 
 on observations made on full fettled old countries, 
 as Europe, fuit new countries as America. 
 
 For people increafe in proportion to the number 
 of marriages, and that is greater in proportion to 
 the eafe and convenience of fupporting a family. 
 When families can be eafily fupportesl, more per- 
 ibns marry, and earlier in life. 
 
 In 
 
APPENDIX. 1/7 
 
 In cities, where all trades, occupations, and of 
 fices are full, many delay until they can fee how to 
 bear the charges of a family ; which charges are 
 greater in cities, as luxury is more common ; many 
 live fingle during life, and continue fervants to fa 
 milies, journeymen to trades, &c. hence cities dt> 
 not by natural generation fupply therafelves with 
 inhabitants ; the deaths are more than the births. 
 
 In countries full fettled the cafe muft be nearly 
 the dune ; all lands being occupied and improved to 
 the height, thofe who cannot get land muft labour* 
 for thofe who have it; when labourers are plenty, 
 their wages will be low; by low wages a family is 
 fupported with difficulty ; this difficulty deters many 
 from marriage, who therefore long continue fervants 
 and fingle. Only as cities take fupplies of people 
 from the country, and thereby make a little more 
 room in the country, marriage is a little more en 
 couraged there, and the births exceed the deaths. 
 
 Great part of Europe is full fettled with hufband- 
 men, manufacturers, &c. and therefore cannot nov/ 
 .much inereafe in people. Land being plenty in 
 America, and fo cheap as that a labouring man, 
 who underftands husbandry, can in a fhort time fave 
 money enough to purchafe a piece of new land fuf- 
 ficient for a plantation, whereon he may fubfift a 
 family, fuch are not afraid to marry ; for even if 
 they look far enough forward to coniider how their 
 children, when grown, are to be provided for, they 
 fee that more land is to be had at rates equally eafy, 
 all circumftances confidered. 
 
 Hence marriages in America are more general, 
 and more generally early, than in Europe. And if 
 it is reckoned there, that there is but one marriage 
 per annum among one hundred perfons, perhaps we 
 may here reckon two ; and if in Europe they have 
 but four births to a marriage (many of their marri 
 ages being late) we may here reckon eight j of which, 
 
 if 
 
78 APPENDlk.- 
 
 if one half grow up, and our" marriages arc 
 reckoning one with another, at twenty years of age^ cur 
 peoffe muft at lea/I be doubled -every twenty years. 
 
 But notvvithftanding. this increafe, fo vaft is the 
 territory of North-America, that it will require 
 many ages to fettle it fully; and until it is fully fet 
 tled, labour will never be cheap here, where no man 
 continues long a labourer for others, but gets a plan 
 tation of his own; no man continues long a jour 
 neyman to a trade, but goes among thefe new fet- 
 tlers, and fets up for himfelf, &c. Hence labour is 
 no cheaper now in Pennfy-lvania than it was thirty 
 years ago, though fo many thoufond labouring peo 
 ple have been imported from Germany and Ireland. 
 
 In proportion to the increafe of the colonies, a 
 raft demand is growing for Britifh manufactures ; a 
 glorious market wholly in the power of Britain, in 
 which foreigners cannot interfere, which will in 
 creafe in a fhort time even beyond her power o 
 fupplying, though her whole trade fnould be to her. 
 colonies. 
 
 Of iJ:e Wefiern Territory. . 
 
 It is a miflake in thofe who imagine that the new 
 ate of Kentucky comprifes tire Weftern Territory 
 of North-America. That new ftate includes but 
 a fmall part of this great doiffain.. The flate ofr 
 Kentucky is deferred to be bounded on the fouth 
 by North-Carolina, on the north by Sandy creek, 
 on the weft by Cumberland river, making about 
 two hundred and fifty miles iii length, and two hun 
 dred miles in breadth ; whereas the whole Weftern 
 Territory is infinitely more extenfive. The limits 
 are unknown; but that part of it which was fur- 
 veyed by Captain Hutchins, geographer to the Con- 
 sj he has given us a fliort account of. From his 
 
APPENDIX. 17$ 
 
 account, becaufe it is known to be authentic, we 
 have extracted the following. 
 
 The part he furveyed lies between the 33d and 
 45th degrees of latitude, and the ySth and 94111 de 
 grees of longitude, containing an extent of terri 
 tory, which, for healthfulnefs, fertility of foil, and 
 variety of productions, is not perhaps furpafled by 
 any on the habitable globe. 
 
 " The lands comprehended between the river 
 Ohio, at Port-Pitt, and the Laurel mountain, and 
 thence continuing the fame breadth from Fort-Pitt 
 to the Great Kanhawa river, may, according to my 
 own obfervations, and thoie of the late Mr. Gift, 
 of Virginia, be generally, and juftly .described as 
 follows. 
 
 " The vallies adjoining to the branches or fpring 
 sf the middle forks of Youghiogeny, are narrow 
 towards its fource; but there is a considerable quan 
 tity of good farming grounds on the hills, near the 
 largeft branch of that river. The lands within a 
 frnall diftance of the Laurel mountain (through 
 which the Youghiogeny runs) are in many places 
 broken and ftony, but rich and well timbered ; and 
 in fome places, and particularly on Laurel creek, 
 they are rocky and mountainous.. 
 
 " From the Laurel mountain to Monongahela, 
 the firft feven miles are good, level farming grounds, 
 with fine meadows; the timber, white oak, chefnut, 
 hickory, &c. The fame kind of land continues 
 foutherly (twelve miles) to the upper branches or 
 forks of this river, and about fifteen miles northerly 
 to the place where the Youghiogeny falls into the 
 Monongahete. The lands, for about eighteen miles 
 in the fame courfe of the laft-mentioned river, on 
 each fide of it, though hilly, are rich and well tim 
 bered. The trees are walnut, locuft, chefnut, pop 
 lar, and fugar or fvveet maple. The low lands, near 
 the river, are about a mile, and in feveral places 
 
 tWQ 
 
8$0 APPENDIX. 
 
 two miles wide. For a confiderable way down the 
 river, on the eaftern fide of it, the intervals are ex 
 tremely rich, and about a mile. wide. The upkmd 
 foi '--out twelve miles cafrvvcrdly, are uncommonly 
 fertile, and well timber.e-'.l; the low lands, on the 
 weftern fide, are narrow; but the uplands, on the 
 eafh rn fide of the river, both up and down, are ex 
 cellent, and covered with iu gar trees, &c. 
 
 ' S . h parts of the co-.'.ntry which He on fome of 
 tb? branches of the Monongahela, and acrofs" the 
 lita-ii: of itveral rivers that run into the Ohio, 
 the ugh in general hilly, are exceedingly fruitful and 
 well watered. The timber is walnut, chefnut, ufti, 
 oak, fugar trees, &c. and the interval or meadow 
 lands are from two hundred and fifty yards to a 
 quarter of a mile wide. 
 
 " The lands lying nearly in a north-wefterly di 
 rection from the Great Kanhawa river to the Ohio, 
 and thence north-eafterly, and alfo upon Le Tort's 
 creek, Little Kanhawa river, Buffaloe, Fifhing, 
 Weeling, and the two upper, and two lower, and 
 feveral other very confiderable creeks, (or what, ia 
 Europe, would be called large rivers) and thence 
 call, and fouth-eaft to the river Monongahela, are, 
 in point of quality, as follows. 
 
 " The borders or meadow lands are a mile, and 
 in fome places near two miles wide; and the uplands 
 are in common of a mofl fertile foil, capable of 
 abundantly producing wheat, hemp, flax, &c. 
 
 " The lands which lie upon the Ohio, at the 
 mouths of, and between the above creeks, alfo con- 
 fift of rich intervals and very fine farming grounds. 
 The whole country abounds in bears, elks, buffaloe, 
 xleer, turkies, &c. An unqueftionable proof of the 
 extraordinary goodnefs of its foil ! Indiana lies 
 within the territory here defcribed. It contains 
 about three millions and an half of acres, and was 
 granted to Samuel Wharton, William Trent, and 
 
 George 
 
APPENDIX. l8l 
 
 George Morgan, Efquires, and a few other perfons, 
 in the year 1768. 
 
 " Fort-Pitt ftands at the confluence of the Alleg 
 heny and Monongahela rivers; in latitude 40 31' 
 44/', and about five degrees weftward of Philadel 
 phia. In the year 1760, a fmall town, called Pittf- 
 burgh, was built near Fort-Pitt, and about two 
 hundred families refided in it; but upon the Indian 
 war breaking out (in the month of May, 1763) 
 they abandoned their houfes, and retired into the 
 fort. 
 
 " In the year 1765 the prefent town of Pittfburgh 
 was laid out. It is built on the eaftern bank of the 
 river Monongahela, about two hundred yards from 
 Fort- Pitt. 
 
 " The junction of the Allegheny and Mononga 
 hela rivers forms the river Ohio, and this difcharges 
 itfelf into the Mifiiffippi,'(in latitude 36 43") about 
 one thoufand one hundred and eighty-eight com 
 puted miles from Fort-Pitt. The Ohio, in its paf- 
 fage to the Mifliffippi, glides through a pleafant, 
 fruitful, and healthy country, and carries a great 
 uniformity of breadth, from four hundred to fix 
 hundred yards, except at its confluence with the 
 M'lliffippi, and for one hundred miles above it, 
 where it is one thoufand yards wide. The Ohio, 
 for the greater part of the way to the Miffiffippi, 
 has many meanders, or windings, and rifiug grounds 
 i:pon both fides of it. 
 
 " The reaches in the Ohio are in fome parts from 
 two to four miles in length, and one of them, above 
 the Mufkingum river, called the Long Reach, is 
 fixteen miles and an half long. The Ohio, about 
 100 miles above, or northerly of the Rapids, (for 
 merly called the Falls) is in many places 700 yards 
 wide; and as it approaches them, the high grounds 
 on its borders gradually diminim, and the country 
 becomes more level. Seme of the banks, or heights 
 R of 
 
i APPENDIX. 
 
 of this river, are at times overflowed by great frefhes-; 
 yet there is fcarcc a place between Fort-Pitt and the 
 Rapids, (a diftance of 705 computed miles) where 
 a good road may not be made ; and horfes employ 
 ed in drawing up large barges (as is done on the mar 
 gin of the river Thames in England, and the Seine 
 in France) againft a ftream remarkably gentle, ex 
 cept in high frefhes. The heights of the banks of 
 the Ohio admit them every where to be fettled, as 
 they are not liable to crumble away. 
 
 *' To thefe remarks it may be proper to ad<i the 
 following observations of the ingenious Mr. Lewis 
 Evans. He fays, that * the Ohio river, as the win 
 ter fnows are thawed by the warmth or rains in the 
 ipring, rifes in vaft floods, in fome places exceeding 
 twenty feet in height, but fcarce any where over 
 flowing its high and upright banks. Thefe floods,' 
 Mr. Evans adds, * continue of fome height for at 
 leait a month or two, according to the late of early 
 breaking up of the winter. VefTels from 100 to 200 
 tons burthen, by taking the advantage of thefe floods, 
 may go from Pittfburgh to the fea with fafety, as 
 then the falls, rifts, andfhoals, are covered to an e- 
 quality with the reft of the rivers;' and though the 
 diftance is upwards of 2000 miles from Fort-Pitt to 
 the fea, yet as there are no obftruclions to prevent 
 veflels from proceeding both day and night, I am 
 perfuaded that this" extraordinary inland voyage may 
 be performed, during the feafon of the floods, by- 
 rowing, in fixteen or feventeen days. 
 
 " The navigation of the Ohio in a dry feafon, is 
 rather troublefome from Fort-Pitt to the Mingo 
 town (about 75 miles) but from thence to the Mif- 
 iiflippi there is always a fufficient depth of water for 
 barges, carry ing from 100 to 200 tons burthen, built 
 in the manner as thofe are which are ufed on the ri 
 ver Thames, between London and Oxford; to wit, 
 from 100 to 120 feet in the keel, fixteen to eighteen 
 
 feet 
 
APPENDIX. 183 
 
 feet in breadth, and four feet in depth, and when 
 loaded, drawing about three feet water. 
 
 " The Rapids, in a dry feafon, are difficult to de- 
 fcend with loaded boats or barges. 
 
 [But inftead of the carrying place now uied, it is 
 intended to fubftitute a canal on the contrary fide of 
 the river.] 
 
 " Mo ft of the hills on both fides of the Ohio are 
 filled with excellent coal, and a coal mine was in the 
 year 1760, opened oppofite to Fort-Pitt, on the river 
 Monongabela, for the ufe of that garrifon. Salt 
 i'prings, as well as iron ore, and rich lead mines, are 
 found bordering upon the river Ohio. One of the 
 latter is opened on a branch of the Scioto river, and 
 there the Indian natives fupply themfelves with a 
 confiderable part of the lead which they ufe in their. 
 wars and hunting. 
 
 " About 584 miles below Fort-Pitt, and on the 
 eaftern fieie of the Ohio river, about three miles from 
 it, at the head of a fmall creek or run, where are fe- 
 veral large and miry fait fprings, are found numbers 
 of large bones, teeth, and tui'ks, commonly fuppofeci 
 to be thofe of elephants : but the celebrated Doctor 
 Hunter of London, in his ingenious and curious 
 obfervations on thefe bone:;, &c. has fuppofed them, 
 to belong to fome carnivorous animal, larger than 
 an ordinary elephant. 
 
 " Oil the north weftern fide of Ohio, about eleven 
 miles below t he Cherokee-river, on a high bank, are 
 the remains of Fort-MafTac, built by the French, 
 and intended as a check to the foil them Indians. It 
 was deftroyed by them in the year 1763. This is 4 
 high, healthy, and delightful (ituation. A great va 
 riety of game, buffaloe, bear, deer, &c. as well as 
 clucks, geefe, fwans, turkies, pheafants, patridges, 
 &c. abounds in every part of this country. 
 
 " The Ohio, and the rivers emptying into it, af 
 ford green and other turtle, and fifh of various 
 H 2 forts ; 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 forts; particularly carp, fturgeon, perch, and cats^ 
 the two latter of an uncommon fize, viz. perch froci 
 eight to twelve pounds weight, and cats from fifty 
 lo one hundred pounds weight. 
 
 " The lands upon the Ohio, and its branches, are 
 differently timbered according to their quality and 
 fituation. The high and dry lands are covered with 
 red, white and black oak, hickory, walnut, red 
 and white mulberry and afh trees, grape-vines, &c. 
 the low and meadow lands are filled with fycamore, 
 poplar, red and white mulberry, cherry, beach, 
 elm, afpen, maple, or fugar trees, grape-vines, 
 &c. and below, or fouthvvardly of the Rapids, are 
 feveral large cedar and cyprefs fvvamps, where the 
 cedar and cyprefs trees grow to a remarkable fize, 
 and where alfo is a great abundance of canes, fuch 
 ?.s grow in South-Carolina. The country on both 
 fides of the Ohio, extending fouth-eafterly, andfouth- 
 wefterly from Fort-Pitt to the Miffiilippi, axid water 
 ed by the Ohio river, and its branches, contains at 
 -leait a million of fquare miles, and it may, with 
 truth, be affirmed, that no part of the globe is bleffed 
 with a more healthful air, or climate; watered with 
 more navigable rivers and branches communicating 
 with the Atlantic Ocean, by the rivers Potovvmack, 
 James, Rnppahannock, Mifiiffippi, and St. Law 
 rence, or capable of producing, with iefs labour and 
 cxpence, wheat, Indian corn, buck-wheat, rye, oats, 
 barley, flax, hemp, tobacco, rice, fiik, pot-am, c. 
 than the country under consideration. And although 
 there are confiderable quantities of high lands for 
 about 250 miles (on both fides of the river Ohio) 
 Southwardly from Fort- Pitt, yet even the fummits 
 of moil of the hills are covered with a deep rich foil, 
 fit for the culture of flax and hemp; and it may alfo 
 be added, that no foil can poflibly yield larger crops 
 of red and white clover, and other ufefuigrafs, than 
 thU does. 
 
APPENDIX. 185 
 
 " On the north-weft and fouth-eaft fides of the 
 Ohio, below the great Kanhawa river, at a little dif- 
 tr.'jcefrom it, are extenfive natural meadows, cr fa- 
 vannahs. Thefe meadows are from 20 to 50 miles 
 in circuit. They have many beautiful groves of 
 trees interfperfed, as if by art, in them, and which 
 ferve as a flicker for the innumerable herds of buffe- 
 loe, deer, &c. with which they abound. 
 
 44 I am obliged to a worthy friend and country 
 man for the following juft and judicious obferva- 
 tions. They were addrefled to the Earl of Hillfbo- 
 rough, in the year 1770, when fecretary of ftate for 
 the North- American department; and were written 
 by Mr. Samuel Wha-rton cf Philadelphia, who at 
 that time refided in London, having fome bufinefs 
 there with Mr. Strahan, Mr. Almon, c. 
 
 " No part of North-America," he fays, " will re 
 quire lefs encouragement for the production of na 
 val ftores, and raw materials for manufactories in 
 Europe, and for fiipplying the Weft-India iflands 
 with lumber, provisions, &c. than the country of the 
 Ohio; and for the following reafons: 
 
 " Firft, The lands are excellent, the climate tem 
 perate, the native grapes, (ilk- worms, and mulberry 
 trees, abound everywhere:- hemp, hops, and rye, 
 grow fpontaneoufly in the vallies and low lands; lead 
 and iron ore are plenty in the hills j fait fprings are 
 innumerable; and no foil is better adapted to the cul 
 ture of tobacco, flax, and cotton, than that of the 
 Ohio. 
 
 " Second, The country is well watered by feveral 
 navigable rivers, communicating .with each other; by 
 which, and a fhort land carriage, the produce of the 
 lands of the Ohio can, even now (in the year 1772) be 
 fent cheaper to the fea-port town of Alexandria, on the 
 river Potowmack in Virginia (where General Brad- 
 dock's tranfports landed his troops,) than any kind 
 of merchandize is fent from Northampton to London. 
 R 3 Third, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Third, The river Ohio is, at all feafons of the- 
 year, navigable with large boats, like the weft coun 
 try barges, rowed only by four or five men; and from 
 the month of February to April large Chips may be 
 built on the Ohio, and' fent to fea laden with hemp, 
 iron, flax, iilk, tobacco, cotton, pot-afh, &c. 
 
 " Fourth, Flour, corn, beef, (hip-plank, and other 
 ufeful articles, can be fent down the dream of the 
 Ohio to Weft-Florida, and from thence to the Weft- 
 India iflands, much cheaper, and in better order, 
 than from New-York or Philadelphia to thefe iflands. 
 
 *' Fifth, FIcmp, tobacco, iron, and fuch bulky ar 
 ticles, may alfo be fent down the ftream of the Ohio 
 to the fea, and at leaft 50 per cent, cheaper than 
 thefe articles were ever carried by land carriage, of 
 only 60 miles, in Pennfylvania: where waggonageis 
 cheaper than in any other part of North- America. 
 
 " Sixth, The expence of tranfporting European 
 manufactories from the fea to the Ohio, will not be 
 fo much as is now paid, and muft ever be paid, to a 
 great part of the counties of Pennfylvania, Virginia, 
 and Maryland. Whenever the farmers or merchants 
 of Ohio fhall properly underftand the bufmefs of 
 tranfportation, they will build fchooners, (loops, &c. 
 CM the Ohio, fuitable for the Weft-India, or Euro 
 pean markets; or, by having black-walnut, cherry- 
 tree, oak, &c. properly fawed for foreign markets, 
 and formed into rafts, in the manner that is now 
 done by the fettlers near the upper parts of Dela 
 ware river in Pennfylvania, and thereon ftow their 
 hemp, iron, tobacco, &c. and proceed with them to 
 New -Orleans. 
 
 * 4 It may nof, perhaps, be amifs, to obferve, that 
 large quantities of flour are made in the diftant (wet- 
 tern) counties of Pennfylvania, and fent by an ex- 
 penfive land carriage to the city of Philadelphia, and 
 from thence fhipped to South-Carolina and to Eaft 
 and Welt Florida, there being little or no wheat 
 
 raifed 
 
APPENDIX. 187 
 
 railed in thefe provinces. The river Ohio feems 
 kindly defined by nature as the channel through 
 which the two Floridas may be fupplied with flour, 
 not only for their own confumption, but alfo for the 
 carrying on an extenlive commerce with Jamaica 
 and the Spanifh fettlements in the Bay of Mexico. 
 Miliftones in abundance are to be obtained in the 
 hills near the Ohio, and the country is every where 
 well watered with large and conftant fprings and 
 ilreams, for grill and other mills. 
 
 " The paflage from Philadelphia to Penfacoia 
 is feldom made in lefs than a month, and fixty ftiil- 
 lings flerling per ton freight (confiding of lixteen bar 
 rels) is ufually paid for flour, &c. thither. Boats 
 carrying 800 or 1000 barrels of flour, may go in 
 about the fame time fromtheOhio (even from Pittf- 
 burgh) as from Philadelphia to Penfacoia; and for 
 half the above freight the Ohio merchants would be 
 able to deliver flour, &c. there in much better order 
 than from Philadelphia, and without incurring the 
 damage and delay of the fea, and charges of infur- 
 ance, &c. as from thence to Penfacoia. 
 
 " This is not mere fpeculation; for it is a facl", 
 that about the year 1746, there was a great fcarcity 
 of provifions at New-Orleans, and the French fet 
 tlements, at the Illinois, fmall as they then were, fent 
 thither in one winter, upwards of eight hundred thou.- 
 fand weight of flour." 
 
 " I (hall now proceed to giv-e a brief account of 
 the feveral rivers and creeks which fall into the river 
 Ohio. 
 
 " Canawagy, when raifed by frefhes, is pafTable 
 with fmall batteaux, to a little lake at its head; from 
 thence there is a portage of twenty miles to lake 
 Erie, at the mouth of Jadaghque. The portage is 
 ieldom ufed, becaufe Canawagy hasfcarcely any wa 
 ter in it in- a dry feafon- 
 
 " Bughalboirs 
 
rS'H Ai'pttfoix, 
 
 " Bughaloons is not navigable, but is remarkable 
 for cxtenfive meadows bordering upon it. 
 
 " French Creek affords the nearelt pafiage to lake 
 Erie. It is navigable with fmall boats to Le Beuf, 
 by a very crooked channel; the portage thence to 
 Prefquile, from an adjoining peninfula, is 15 miles. 
 This is the ufual route from Quebec to Ohio. 
 
 " Licking and Lacomic Creeks do not afford any 
 navigation; but there is plenty of coals and Hones 
 for building in the hills which adjoin them. 
 
 " Toby's Creek is deep enough for batteaux for a 
 confiderable way up, thence by a fhort portage to the 
 weft branch of Sufquehannah, a good communica 
 tion is carried on between Ohio and the eaftern parts 
 of Pennfyivania. 
 
 " Moghulbughkitum is payable alfo by flat bot 
 tom boats in the fame manner as Toby's Creek is to 
 Sufquehannah, and from thence to all the fettlements 
 in Northumberland county, &c. in Pennfyivania. 
 
 " Kifhkeminetas is navigable in like manner as the 
 preceding creeks, for between 40 and cjo miles, and 
 good portages are found between Kifhkeminetas, Ju- 
 niatta, and Potowmack rivers. Coal and fait ars 
 difcovered in the neighbourhood of thefe rivers. 
 
 " Monongahela is a large river, and at its junc 
 tion with the Allegheny river, (lands Fort-Pitt. It 
 is deep, and gentle, and navigable with batteaux and 
 barges, beyond Red-Stone creek, and ftill farther with 
 lighter craft. At fixteen miles from its mouth is 
 Youghiogeny; this river is navigable with batteaux 
 or barges, to the foot of Laurel-hill. 
 
 " Beaver Creek has water fufficient for flat bot 
 tom boats. At Kifhkufkes, (about 16 miles up) are 
 two branches of this creek, which fpread oppofitc 
 ways; one interlocks with French Creek and Che- 
 xage, the other with Mufkingum and Cayahoga; 
 oa this branch, about thirty-five miles above the 
 
APPENDIX. 189 
 
 forks, are many falt-fprings. Cayahoga is prafti- 
 cable with canoes about twentv miles farther. 
 
 " Mufldngum is a fine gentle river, confined by 
 high banks, which prevent its floods from overflow 
 ing the furrounding land. It is 250 yards wide at 
 its confluence with the Ohio, and navigable, with 
 out any obftructions, by large batteaux or barges, 
 to the Three Legs, and by {"mail ones to a little Iak2 
 at its head. 
 
 " From thence to Cayahoga (the creek that leads 
 to lake Erie) the Mufkingum is muddy, and not very 
 fwift, but no where obllrucled with falls' or rifts.. 
 Here are fine uplands, extenfive meadows, oak and 
 mulberry trees fit for fhip- building, and walnut, chef- 
 nut, and poplar trees, fui table for domeftic fervices. 
 Cayahoga furnifhes the befl portage between Ohio 
 and lake Erie; at its mouth it is wide and deep enough 
 to receive large (loops from the lake. It will hereafter 
 be a place of great importance. 
 
 " Muikingum, in all its wide-extended branches, 
 is furrounded by moft excellent land,, and abounds 
 in fprings, and conveniences particularly adapted 
 to fettlements remote from fea navigations; fuch a3 
 fait fprings, coal, clay, and free ftone. In 1784 a 
 coal mine oppofite to Lamenihicola mouth took fire, 
 and continued burning about twelve months, but 
 great quantities of coal ftill remain in it. Near the 
 fame place are excellent whetftones, and about eight 
 miles higher np the river, is plenty of white and blue 
 clay for glafs works and pottery. 
 
 4i Hockhocking is navigable with large flat bot 
 tom boats between feventy and eighty miles; it has 
 fine meadows with high banks, which feldom over 
 flow, and rich uplands on its borders. Coal and 
 quarries of free-ftone are found about 15 miles- up 
 this creek. 
 
 " Big Kanhawa falls into the Ohio upon its (buth- 
 caftern fide, and is fo confiderable a branch of this 
 
 nver } 
 
J?9O APPENDIX. 
 
 rivei', that it may be miitaken for the Ohio itfelf by 
 perfons afcending it. It is ilow for ten miles, to lit 
 tle broken hills, the low land is very rich, and of 
 about the fame breadth, (from the pipe hills to the 
 falls) as upon the Ohio. After going ten miles up 
 Kanhawa, the land is hilly, and the water a litti-s 
 rapid for 50 or 60 miles further to the falls, yet bat- 
 tea ux or barges may bz eaiily rowed thither. Thefo 
 falls were formerly thought 'unpayable; but late dif- 
 coveries have proved, that a waggon road may be 
 made through the mountain, which occafions the 
 falls, and that by a portage of a few miles only, a 
 communication may be had between the waters of- 
 Great Kanhawa and Ohio, and thofe of James river 
 in Virginia. 
 
 t; Tottery lies upon the fouth-eaftern fide of the 
 Ohio, and is navigable with batteaux to the Ouafioto 
 mountains. It is a long river, has few branches, and 
 interlocks with Red Creek, or Glinche's River (a 
 branch of the Cuttawa;). and has below the moun 
 tains, efpecially for 15 miles from its mouth, very 
 good land. Here is a perceptible difference of cli 
 mate between the upper and this part of Ohio. Here 
 the large reed, or Carolina cane, grows in plenty, 
 even upon the upland, and the winter is fo moderate 
 as not to deftroy it. The fame moderation of cli 
 mate continues down Ohio, efpecially on the ibuth- 
 eafr fide, to the rapidsj and thence on both fides of 
 that river to the Mifiiffippi. 
 
 " Great Salt Lick Creek is remarkable for fine 
 land, plenty of buffaloes, fait fprings, white clay, 
 and lime- Hone. Small boats mav go to the croffing 
 of the war-path without -\ny impediment. The fait 
 fprihgs render the waters unfit for drinking, but the ' 
 plenty of frcfh f prints in their vicinity makes fuf- 
 ficient amends for this inconvenience. 
 
 " Kentucky is larger than the preceding creek; 
 &us fm:rotmded with high clay banks, fertile land?,. 
 
 and- 
 
APPENDIX. 191 
 
 and large fait fprings. Its navigation is interrupted 
 by fhoals, but payable with fmall boats to the gap, 
 where the war-path goes through the Ouafioto 
 mountains. 
 
 " Scioto is a large gentle river, bordered with 
 rich flats, or meadows. It overflows in the fpring, 
 and then fpreads about half a mile, though when 
 confined within its banks, it is fcarce a furlong wide, 
 
 " If it floods early, it feldom retires within its 
 banks in lefs than a month, and is not fordable fre 
 quently in lefs than two months. 
 
 " The Scioto, befides having a great extent of 
 rnofl excellent land on both fides of the river, is 
 furniflied with fair, on an eaftern branch, and red 
 bole on Necnnfia Skeintat. The dream of Scioto is 
 .gentle and payable, with large batteaux or barges, 
 for a confiderable way, and with fmaller boats near 
 .200 miles, to a portage of only four miles to San- 
 duflcy. 
 
 " Sandufky is a confiderable river abounding in 
 level land; its ftrcam gentle all the way to the mouth, 
 where it is large enough to receive floops. The 
 northern Indians crofs Lake Erie here from ifland to 
 ifland, land at Sanduflcy, and go by a direct path to 
 the Lower Shawanoe town, and thence to the gap of 
 the Ouafioto mountain, in their way to the Cutta- 
 wa country, 
 
 " Little Mineami river is too fmall to navigate 
 with batteau*. It has much fine land and fevcral 
 fait fprings; its high banks and gentle current pre 
 vent its much overflowing the fur-rounding lands 
 in frefhes. 
 
 " Great Mineami, AfFereniet or Rocky river, has 
 a very flony channel; a fwift ftream, but no fails. 
 It has feveral large branches, pafiable with boats a 
 great way; one extending weft ward towards the 
 Quiaghtena river, another towards a branch of Mi 
 neami river (which runs into Lake Erie,) to which 
 
 there 
 
193, APPENDIX. 
 
 there is a portage, and a third has a portage to the 
 weft branch of Sandufky, befides Mad Creek, where 
 the French formerly eftabliihed themfelves. Rifing 
 ground, here and there a little flony, begins in the 
 northern part of the peninfula, between the lakes 
 Erie, Huron, and Michigan, and extends acrofs little 
 Mineami river below the Forks, and fouthwardly 
 along the Rocky river, to Ohio. 
 
 " BufTaloe river falls into the Ohio on the eaftern 
 fide of it, at the diftance of 925 computed miles from 
 Fort-Pitt. It is a very confiderable branch of the 
 Ohio; is 200 yards wide, navigable upwards of i^o 
 miles for batteaux or barges, of 30 feet long, five feet 
 broad, and three feet deep, carrying about feven tons, 
 .and can be navigated much farther with large ca 
 noes. The ftream is moderate. The lands on both 
 fides of the river are of a moft luxuriant quality, for 
 the production of hemp, flax, wheat, tobacco, &c. 
 They are covered with a great variety of lofty and 
 ufeful timber ; as oak, hickory, mulberry, elm, c. 
 Several perfons who have afcended this river fay, 
 that fait fprings, coal, lime, and free-ftone, c. are 
 to be found in a variety of places. 
 
 " The Wabafti is a beautiful river, with high and 
 upright banks, lefs fubjecl to overflow than any 
 other river, (the Ohio excepted) in this part of Ame 
 rica. It dii'charges itfelf into the Ohio, one thou- 
 fand and twenty-two miles below Fort-Pitt, in lati 
 tude 37 41'. At its mouth it is 270 yards wide; 
 is navigable to Ouiatanon (412 miles) in the fpring, 
 fummer, and autumn, with batteaux or barges, 
 drawing r.bout three feet water. From thence, on 
 account of a roeky bottom, and fhoal water, large 
 canoes are chiefly employed, except when the river 
 is fwelled with rains, at which time it may be af 
 cended with boats, fuch as I have jufl defcribed, 
 (197 miles further) to the Miaaii carrying place, 
 which is nine miles from the Miami village, and 
 
 this 
 
APPENDIX. 193 
 
 tins is fituated on a river of the fame name, that 
 runs into the fouth-fouth-wefl part of Lake Erie. 
 The ftrearn of the Wabafh is generally gentle to 
 Fort-Ouiatanon, and no where obitrucled with falls, 
 but is by ieveral rapids, both above and below that 
 fort, fome of which are pretty confiderable. There 
 isalfo a part of the river, for about three miles, and 
 30 miles from the carrying place, where the channel 
 is fo narrow, that it is neceflary to make ufe of fet- 
 ting poles inflead of oars. The land on this river 
 is remarkably fertile, and feveral parts of it are na 
 tural meadows, of great extent, covered with fine 
 long grafs. The timber is large and high, and in 
 fuch variety, that alrnofr all the different kinds grow 
 ing upon the Ohio and its branches (but with a 
 greater proportion of black and white mulberry- 
 trees) may be found here. A filver mine has been 
 difcovered about 28 miles above Ouiatanon, on the 
 northern fide of the Wabafh, and probably others 
 may be found hereafter. The Wabafli abounds 
 with fait fprings, and any quantity of fait may be 
 made from them, in the manner now done at the 
 Saline in the Illinois country: the hills are reple- 
 nifhed with the belt coal, and there is plenty of lime 
 and free ftune, blue, yellow and white clay, for 
 glafs works and pottery. Two French fettlements 
 are eftablifhed on the Wabafh, called Pofl Vincient 
 and Ouiatanon; the firft is 150 miles, and the other 
 262 miles from its mouth. The former is on the 
 eaftern fide of the river, and confifts of 60 lettlers 
 and their families. They raife Indian corn, wheat, 
 .and tobacco of an extraordinary good quality, fu- 
 perior, it is faid, .to that produced in Virginia. 
 They have a fine breed of horfes (brought originally 
 by the Indians from the Spanifh fettlements on the 
 weftern fide of the river MifEffippi), and laroe (locks 
 .of fwine and black cattle. The fetrlers deal with 
 the natives for furs and deer (kins, to, the amount of 
 S about 
 
j4 APPENDIX. 
 
 about $oool. annually. Hemp of a good texture 
 grows fpontaneoufly in the low lands of the Wabalb, 
 as do grapes in the greateft abundance, having a 
 black, thin fkin, and of which the inhabitants in the 
 autumn make a futficient quantity (for their own 
 confumption) of well-tatted red-wine. Hops, large 
 and good are found in many places, and the lands are 
 particularly adapted to the culture of rice. All 
 European fruits; apples, peaches, pears, cherries, 
 currants, gooiberries, melons, &c. thrive well, both 
 here and in the country bordering on the river 
 Ohio. 
 
 " Ouiatanon is a fmall ftockaded fort on the weft- 
 crn fide of the Wabafh, in which about a dozen fa 
 milies refide. The neighbouring Indians are the 
 Kickapoos, Mufquitons, Pyankifhaws, and a princi 
 pal part of the Ouiatanons. The whole of thefe tribes 
 confifr. it is fuppofed, of about one thoufand war 
 riors. The fertility of foil, and diversity of timber 
 in this country, a*e the fame as in the vicinity of 
 Pofl Vincient. The annual amount of fkins and 
 furs obtained at Ouiatanon is about Soool. By the 
 river Wabafh, the inhabitants of Detroit move to the 
 fou them parts of Ohio and the Illinois country. Their 
 rout is by the Miami riverto a carry ing place, which, 
 as before ftated, is nine miles to the Wabafh, when 
 this river is raifed with frefhes.; but at other feafons, 
 the diftance is from 18 to 30 miles, including the 
 portage. The whole of the latter is through a level 
 cou-ntry. Carts are ufually employed in tranfport- 
 ing boats and merchandize from the Miami to the 
 \Vabafh river; 
 
 cuvanoe river empties itfelf on the eaftern 
 fide of Ohio, about 95 miles fouthwardly of the 
 Wabafli river. It is 250 yards wide at its month, 
 has been navigated 180 miles in battcaux of the con- 
 ftr.iction cf thofe mentioned in the preceding article, 
 and from the depth of water, at that djftance from 
 
APPENDIX, ig^ 
 
 jits niouth, it is prefumed, it may be navigated much 
 further. The foil and timber of the lands upon 
 this river are exaftly the lame as thole upon Buf- 
 faloe river. 
 
 "The Cherokee river difcharges itfelf into the 
 Ohio on the fame tide that the Shawanoe river does, 
 that is, 13, miles below or {but her ly of it, and 11 
 miles above, or northerly of the place where Fort- 
 Blailac formerly ftood, and 57 miles from the con- 
 iijsnce of the Ohio with the river MifMippi. The 
 Cherokee river has besn navigatedo^op miles from its 
 mouth. At the diitanoe of 22,0 miles from thence, 
 it widens from 400 yard-, (iif g '.ostal width) to be 
 tween two and threemiles,ancico<: . breadth 
 for near thirty miles farther. The wh ; dif* 
 tance is called the Mufcle Shcals. Here the chan 
 nel is obftrucTred with a number of iflands, formed 
 by trees and drifted wood, brought hither, at differ 
 ent feafons of the year, in frefnes and floods. la 
 pafling thefe iflands, the middle of tiie wideft inter 
 mediate water is to be navigated, as there it isdeepeft; 
 From the mouth of the Cherokee river to Mufcle 
 .Shoals the current is moderate, and both the high 
 and low lands are rich, and abundantly covered with 
 oaks, walnut, fugar-trees^ hickory. Sec.- Abou' 
 miles above thefe fhoals is, what is called, the YV 
 or Suck, occasioned, I imagine, bv the hipji nujin:- 
 tfiin, which there confines the river (fuppoied to be 
 the Laurel mountain.) The Whirl, or Suck, con 
 tinues rapid for about three miles, Its width about 
 fifty yards. Afcending the Cherokee river, and at 
 about 100 miles from the Suck, and upon the fouth- 
 ea'lern fide of that river, is Hig' Vaft 
 traces of level and rich L . : i , er ; but 
 at a {mall dillance from it, the co :!:;. is :r,-;ch bro 
 ken, and fome parts of it p: 
 
 Forty miles higher up tl.e Cherokee river, on the 
 iicrth-weftern iide, is Cli:ich^ r s river. It is i 
 
 Q 
 
196 APPENDIX, 
 
 wide, and about fifty miles up it feveral families a?e 
 fettled. From CJiriehe's to Tenefee river is one 
 hundred miles. It comes in on the eaftern fide, 
 and is 250 ysrds wide. About ten miles up this ri 
 ver is a Cherokee town, called Chota, and further 
 up this branch are feveral other Indian towns, pof- 
 fefled by Indians, called, the Overtoil Cherokee*. 
 The navigation of this branch is much interrupted 
 by rocks, as is alfo the river called French Broad, 
 which conies into the Cherokee river fifty miles 
 above the Tenefee, and on the fame fide. One hun 
 dred and fifty miles above French Broad is Long- 
 Ifland, (three mites in length) and from thence to the 
 fourceof the Cherokee river is fixty miles, and the 
 whole diftance is fo rocky as to be fcarcely navi 
 gable with a canoe. 
 
 " By the Cherokee river, the emigrants from the 
 frontier counties of Virginia and North-Carolina, 
 pafs to the fettlements in Weft-Florida, upon the 
 river Mifiiffippi. They embark at Long-Ifland. 
 
 '* I will now proceed to give a defcription of that 
 part called the Illinois country, lying between the 
 JVlifliflippi \vefterly, the Illinois river northerly, the 
 Wabafti eafterly, and the Ohio foutherly. 
 
 " The land at the confluence, or fork of the rivers 
 Miffiffippi and Ohio, is above twenty feet higher 
 than the common furfaceof thefe rivers; yetfocon- 
 fiderable are the fpring floods, that it is generally 
 overflowed for about a week, as are the lands for 
 feveral miles back in the country. The foil at the 
 fork is compofed of mud, earth, and fand, accumu 
 lated from the Ohio and Miffiffippi rivers. It is ex 
 ceedingly fertile, and in its natural ftate yields hemp, 
 pea-vines, grafs, &c. and a great variety of tree?, and 
 in particular the afpen tree, of an unufual height 
 and thicknefs. 
 
 " For 25 miles up the Miffiffippi (from the Ohio) 
 -the country is rich, level, and well timbered; and 
 
 then 
 
A??ENDIX. 1Q7 
 
 . thn fevcral gentle riling grounds appear, which 
 gradually diminifh at the diftance of betweten four 
 and rive miles eafhvard from the river. From thence 
 to the Kafkafklas river is 65 miles. The country is 
 a mixture of hills and vallies; fome of the former are 
 rocky and fteep; but they, as well as the vallies, are 
 lhaded with fine oaks, hickory, walnut, afh, and 
 mulberry trees, &c. Some of the high grounds af 
 ford moil pleafant fituations for fettlements. Their 
 elevated and airy potitions, together with the great 
 luxuriance of the foil, every where yielding plenty 
 of grafs, and ufeful plants, promife health, and 
 ample returns to induftrious fettlers. 
 
 " Many quarries of lime, frce-ftone, and marble,, 
 have been difcovered in this part of the country. 
 
 " Several creeks and rivers fall into the Miffilfippi, 
 In the above diftance (0165 miles), but no remark 
 able ones, except the rivers iVVaie and Kalkafkiasr. 
 the former is navigable for batteaux about 60, and 
 the latter for about 130 miles. Both thefe rivers run 
 through a rich country, abounding in extenlive, na 
 tural meadows,,, and numberlefs herds of buffaioe, 
 deer, c.. 
 
 " The high grounds, juft mentioned; continue 
 along the eafterri fide of the Kafkafkias river, at a 
 fmall diftance from it, for the ipace of five miles and 
 a half, to the Kafkafkias village; then they incline 
 more towards that river, and run nearly parallel with 
 the eaftern bank of the Miiliilippi, at the diftance of 
 about three miles in fome parts, and four miles in 
 other parts from it. Thefe arc principally com- 
 pcfed of lime and free-ftone, and from 100 to 130 
 feet high, divided in feveral places by deep cavities, 
 through which many fmall rivulets pafs before they 
 fall into the Miffiihppi. The fides of thefe hills',, 
 fronting this river, are in many places perpendicu 
 lar, and appear like folid pieces of flone mafonrv,. 
 of various colours, figures, and fizes. 
 
 8-3 "The 
 
19 APPENDIX. 
 
 " The low land between the hills and the Mif* 
 liffippi begins on the north fide of the Ka^afkias 
 river, and continues for three miles above the river 
 Mifouri, where a high ridge terminates it, and forms 
 the eaftern bank of the Mifiiflippi. This interval 
 land is level, has few trees, and is of a very rich foil, 
 yielding flirubs and moft iragrant flowers, which, 
 added to the number and extent of meadows and 
 ponds difperfed through this charming valley, ren 
 der it exceedingly beautiful and agreeable. 
 
 " In this vale ftand the following villages, viz. 
 Kafkafkias, which, as already mentioned, is five miles 
 and a half up a river of the fame name, running 
 northerly and foutherly. This village contains 80 
 houfes, many of them well built feveral of flone, 
 with gardens and large lots adjoining. It confifls of 
 about 500 white inhabitants, and between four and 
 five hundred negrqes. The former have large flocks 
 >f black cattle, fwine, &c. 
 
 " Three miles northerly of Kafkafkias, is a village 
 of Illinois Indians (of the Kafkafkias tribe) contain 
 ing about 210 perfons and 60 warriors. They were 
 formerly brave and warlike^but are degenerated into 
 a drunken and debauched tribe, and fo indolent, 
 as fcarcely to procure a fufficiency of fkins and furs 
 to barter for clothing. 
 
 " Nine miles further north ward than the laft men 
 tioned village, is another, called La Prairie du Ro- 
 cher, or the Rock Meadows. It confifts of one hun 
 dred white inhabitants, and eighty negroes. 
 
 " Three miles northerly of this place, on the 
 banks of the Miffiffippi, flood Fort-Chartres. It 
 was abandoned in the year 1772-, as it was rendered 
 untenable by the conftant wafhings of the River 
 Miffiffippi in high floods. The village of Fort- 
 Chartres, a little fomhward of the fort, contained fo 
 few inhabitants as not to deferve my notice. 
 
 " One mile -higher up the Mifiiflippi than Fort- 
 
 Chartres, 
 
APPENDIX. IQvJ 
 
 Chartres, is a village fettled by 170 warriors of the 
 Piorias and Mitchigamias (two other tribes of the 
 Illinois Indians). They are as idle and debauched 
 as the tribe of Kaikafkias which I have juft de- 
 fcribed. 
 
 " Four miles higher than the preceding village, 
 !s St. Philip's. It was formerly inhabited by about 
 a dozen families, but at prefent is polTefTed only by 
 two or three. The others have retired to the weft- 
 ern fide of the Miffiffippi. 
 
 " Forty-five miles further northwards than St. 
 Philip's (and one mile up a fmall river on the fouth- 
 ern fide of it) {lands the village of Cahokia. It has 
 50 houfes, many of them well built, and 300 inha 
 bitants, pofTeffing 80 negroes, and large flocks of 
 black cattle, fwine, &c. 
 
 " Four miles above Cahokia, on the weflern or 
 Spanifh fide of the Miffiffippi, ftands the village of 
 St. Louis, on a high piece of ground. It is the 
 moft healthy and pleafurablefituation of any known 
 in this part of the country. Here the Spanifli com 
 mandant and the principal Indian traders refide; 
 who, by conciliating the affeclioris of the natives, 
 have drawn all the Indian trade of the Mifouri, 
 part of that of the Miffiffippi (northwards) and of the 
 tribes of Indians refiding near the Ouifconfing and 
 Illinois rivers, to this village. In St. Louis are 1.20 
 houfes, moftly built of flone. They are large and 
 commodious. This village has 800 inhabitants, 
 chiefly French; fome of them have had a liberal 
 education, are polite, and hofpitable. They have 
 about 1 50 negroes, and large flocks of black cat 
 tle, &c. 
 
 "Twelve miles below, orfoutherly of Fort-Char- 
 tres, on the wellern bank of the Miffiffippi, and 
 nearly oppofite to the village of KafKafkias, is the 
 village of St. Genevieve, or Miffire. It contains up 
 wards of JLQO tyo.ufes, and 469 inhabitants, befides 
 
 negroes.* 
 
negroes. This and St. Louis are all the villages that 
 are upon the weflern or .Spanifli fide of the. Mif 
 fiffippi. 
 
 " Four miles below St. Genevieve, (on the wefl 
 ern bank of the Miffiffippi,) at the mouth of a creek, 
 is a hamlet, called the Saline. Here all the fait is 
 made which is ufed in the Illinois country, from'a 
 fait tyring that is at this place. 
 
 " In the feveral villages on the MifTnTippi, which 
 I have juit defcribed, there were, fo long ago as the 
 year 1771, twelve hundred and feventy -three fen- 
 cible men. 
 
 " The ridge which forms the eaftern bank of the 
 Miffiffippi, above the Mifouri river, continues north 
 erly to the Illinois river, and then directs its ccurfe 
 along the eaflern fide of that river for about 220 
 miles, when it declines in gentle (lopes, and ends in 
 extenfive rich favannaho. On the top of this ridge, 
 at the mouth of the Illinois river, is an agreeable 
 and commanding fituation for a fort, and though 
 the ridge is high and fteep (about- 130 feet high), and 
 rather difficult' to afcend, yet when afcended, it 
 affords a moft delightful profpecl. The Miffiffippi 
 is diflinctly feen from its fumrnit for more than' 
 twenty miles, as are the beautiful meanderings of 
 the Illinois river for many leagues; next a level, 
 fruitful meadow prefents itfelf, of at leaft one hun 
 dred miles in circuit on the vveilern fide of the Mif 
 fiffippi, watered by feveral lakes, and fliaded by 
 fmaU groves or copies of trees, fcnttered in different 
 parts of it, and then the eye with rapture furveys,. 
 as well the high lands bordering upon the river Mi 
 fouri, as thofe at a greater diilance up the Mifiiflippi. 
 In fine, this charming ridge is covered with excel 
 lent grafs, large oak, waln.ut-trees, &c. and at the 
 cliflance of aboiu nine n:i'ts from the Miuilljppi, up 
 the Illinois river, are feen many hrge favannahs, or 
 >j abounding in buffalce ? deer ? &c. 
 
 " In, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 " In afcending the Miffiffippi, Cape au Gres par 
 ticularly attracted my attention. Jt is about eight 
 leagues above the Illinois river, on the eaftern title 
 of the Miffiffippi, and continues above five leagues 
 on that river. There is a gradual defcent back to 
 delighted meadows, and to beautiful and fertile up 
 lands, watered by feveral rivulets, which fall into* 
 the Illinois river, between thirty and forty miles from 
 its entrance into the Miffiffippi, and into the latter 
 at Cape au Gres. The diftance from the Miffiffippi 
 to the River Illinois acrofs the country, is leflened or 
 increafed, according to the windings of the former 
 river ; ; the fmalleft diftance is at Cape au Gres, and 
 there it is between four and five miles. The lands 
 in this intermediate fpace between the above two 
 rivers are rich, almoft beyond parallel, covered with 
 large oaks, walnut, &c. and not a ftone is to be feea 
 except upon the fides of the river. It is even ac 
 knowledged by the French inhabitants, that if fet- 
 tlements were only begun at Cape au Gres, thofe 
 upon the Spanifh fide of the Miffiffippi would be 
 abandoned, as the former would excite -a conftant 
 fucceffion of fettlers, and intercept all the trade of 
 the upper Miffiflippi. 
 
 " The Illinois river furnimes a communication 
 with Lake Michigan, by the Chicago river, and by 
 two portages between the latter and the Illinois river; 
 the longeft of which does not exceed four miles. 
 
 " The Illinois country is in general of a fuperior 
 foil to any other part of North America that I have 
 feen. It produces line oak, hickory, cedar, mul 
 berry-trees, &c. fome dying roots and medicinal 
 plants; hops arid excellent wild grapes, and in the 
 year 1769, one hundred and ten hog {heads of well- 
 tafted and ftrong wine were made by the French 
 fettlers from chefe grapes, a large quantity of fugar 
 is alfo annually made from the juice of the maple- 
 tree 5 and as the mulberry-trees are long and nume 
 
 rous. 
 
2O2 APPENDIX. 
 
 rous, I prefume the making of filk \vill employ the 
 attention and induftry of the fettlers, v, hen the 
 country is more fu t is at prefent, 
 
 and efpecialiy as t :'i more mode- 
 
 rate, and favourab k worms,. 
 
 than they r.re in many oi 3. 
 
 Indigo may like* 
 not more than two cuttings in a " 
 and Indian corn I 
 
 iTain and pi',!fe, t] i,e old 
 
 colonies. G: < Kb vcarly 
 
 raifed by the- nois, both for 
 
 their o\vn coniurrjpilon, and that of the Indians; 
 but little has hitherto been exported to Europe. 
 Hemp grows fpontaneouily, and is of a goocUjex- 
 ture; its common height is 10 feet, and its thici. 
 three inches (the latter reckoned within about a foot 
 of the root), and \vkh little labour any quantity 
 may be cultivated. Flax feed has hitherto been only 
 raifed in fmall quantities. There has however been 
 enough produced to me be fown to the 
 
 greatefr advantage. 7, and all 
 
 other European t; 
 copper, and lead :. 
 been difcovered in 
 The two latter r.re v.'crked 01 
 Miffiffippi, with- conf. 
 
 owners. There i: ers, par 
 
 ticularly cat, rch, of . an uncommon 
 
 lize. SavannaiiS. , are both nu 
 
 merous and extend yiel ling c;:cc:ient grafs, and 
 feeding great herds of fcc. Ducks, 
 
 teal, gc'efe, fv 
 
 iants, part/; d ; ;r:.> &c. n the lea- 
 
 coafr colonies, are ;K! abun 
 
 dance. In fhort, *. . .ble mind 
 
 can defire is to be found, or may, with little paias, 
 
 ** ^Niagara. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 4; Niagara fort is a moft important poflr. It fe- 
 cures a greater number of communications through 
 a larger country than probably any other pafs in in 
 terior America; it (lands at the entrance of a ftrait, 
 by which lake Ontario is joined to lake Erie, and 
 the latter is conne&ed with the three great lakes, 
 Huron, Michegan, and Superior. About nine miles 
 above Fort Niagara the carrying place begins. It is 
 occasioned by the ftupendous catara<ft of that name. 
 The quantity of water which tumbles over this fall is 
 unparalleled in America; its heighth is not lefs than 
 137 feet. This fall would interrupt the communi 
 cation between the lakes Ontario and Erie, if a road 
 was not made up the hilly country that borders upon 
 the ftrait. This road extends to a frnall pofl eigh 
 teen miles from Fort Niagara. Here the traveller 
 embarks in a batteau or canoe, and proceeds eigh 
 teen miles to a fmall fort at Lake Erie. It may be 
 proper alfo to add, that at the end of the firft 'two 
 miles, in the laft-mentioned diftance of 18 miles, 
 the ft ream of the river is divided by a large ifland, 
 above nine miles in length ; and at the upper end of 
 it, about a mile from Lake Erie, are three or four 
 iflands, not far from each other ; thefe iflands, by 
 Interrupting and confining the waters difcharged 
 from the lake, greatly increafe the rapidity of the 
 ilream ; which indeed is fo violent, that the ftiffeft 
 gale is fcarcely fufficient to enable a large veflel to 
 item it; but it is fuccefsfuJIy refilled in fmall batteaux 
 or canoes, that are rowed near the fliore. 
 
 " Lake Erie is about 225 miles in length, and 
 upon a medium about 40 miles in breadth. It af 
 fords a good navigation" for (hipping of any burthen. 
 The coafl, on both nV.es of the lake, is generally fa 
 vourable for the pafTagc of batteaux and canoes. Its 
 banks in many places have a flat fan'dy fhore, parti 
 cularly to the eafhvard of the peninfula called Long- 
 Point, which extends into the lake, in a fouth-ean> 
 
 cm 
 
2C4 APPENDIX. 
 
 ern dire&ion, for upwards of 18 miles, and is more 
 than five miles wide in the broadefl part; but the 
 iilhumus, by which itjoins the continent, is fcarcely 
 t\vo hundred yards wide. The peninfula is com- 
 pofed of (and, and is very convenient to haul boats 
 out of the furf upon (as is almoft every other part 
 of the fhore) when the lake is too rough for rowing 
 or failing; yet there arefome places where, in boifter- 
 ous weather, (on account of their great perpendicu.- 
 far height,) it would be dangerous to approach, and 
 irnpoffible to land. Moft of thefe places are marked 
 in my map with the letter X. 
 
 " Lake Erie has a great variety of fine fifli, fuch 
 as fturgeon, eel, white fifh, trout, perch, &c. 
 
 " The country, northward of this lake, is in many 
 parts fwelled with moderate hills, but no high moun 
 tains. The climate is temperate, and the air health 
 ful. The lands are well timbered (but not generally 
 fo rich as thofe upon the fouthern fide of the lake), 
 and for a confiderable diftance from it, and for fe- 
 veral miles eastward of Cayahoga river, they appear 
 quite level and extremely fertile; and except where 
 exten-five favannahs, or natural meadows intervene, 
 are covered with large oaks, walnut, afli, hickory, 
 mulberry, falTafras, &c. &"c. and produce a great va 
 riety of fhrubs and medicinal roots. Here alfo is 
 great plenty of buffaloe, deer, turkies, partridges, &c. 
 
 " Fort Detroit is of an oblong figure, built with 
 itockades, and advantageoufly fituated, with one 
 entire fide commanding the river, called Detroit, 
 This fort is near a mile in circumference, and en- 
 clofes about one hundred houfes, built in a regular 
 manner, with parallel iireets, croffing each other at 
 right angles. Its fituation is delightful, and in the 
 centre of a pleafant, fruitful country. 
 
 " The ftrait St. Ciair (commonly called the De 
 troit river) is at its entrance more than three miies 
 wide, but in afcending it, itsw.dth perceptibly di- 
 
 minilhes, 
 
APPENDIX. SO J 
 
 minifies, fo that oppofite to the fort (which is 18 
 miles from Lake Erie) it does not exceed half a mile 
 in width. From thence to Lake St. Clair it widens to 
 more than a mile. The channel of the ftrait is gentle 
 and wide, and deep enough for fhipping of great 
 burden, although it is incommoded by feveral ifland^ 
 one of which is more than feven miles in length. 
 Thtfe illands are of a fertile foil, and from their fitua- 
 tion afford a very agreeable appearance. For eight 
 aiiles below, and the fame diftance above Fort De 
 troit, on both fides of the river, the country is divided 
 into regular and well-cultivated plantations, and from 
 the contiguity of the farmers' houfes to each other, 
 they appear as two long extended villages. The in 
 habitants, who are mollly French, are about 2000 in. 
 number, 530 of whom areas good markfmen, and 
 as well accuftomed to the woods, as the Indian na 
 tives themfelves. They raife large flocks of black 
 cattle, and great quantities of corn, which they grind 
 by wind-mills and manufacture into excellent flour. 
 The chief trade of Detroit confifls in a barter of 
 coarfe European goods with the natives for furs, deer 
 ikins, tallow, &c. &c. 
 
 " The rout from Lake St. Clair to Lake Huron is 
 v.p a flrait or river, about 400 yards wide. This river 
 derives itfelf from Lake Huron, and at the diftance of 
 33 miles lofes itfelf in Lake St. Clair, It is in general 
 rapid, but particularly fo near its fource: its channel, 
 and alfo that of Lake St. Clair, are fufficicntly deep for 
 {hipping of a very considerable burthen. This flrait 
 has fevera'i mouths, and the lands lying between them, 
 are fine meadows. The country on both fides of it, 
 for 15 miles, has a very level appearance, but from 
 thence to Lake Huron it is in many places broken, 
 and covered wjth white pines, oaks, maple, birch, 
 and beech." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Thoughts en tJic Duration cf the American Commonwealth. 
 
 JL HERE is a greater probability that the duration 
 of the American commonwealth will be longer than 
 any empire that has hitherto exifted. For it is a.truth, 
 umyerfally admitted, that all the advantages which 
 .ever attended any of the monarchies in the old world, 
 nil center in the new, together with many others 
 which they never enjoy. The four great empires, 
 and the dominions of Charlemaign and -the Turks, 
 11 rofe by concuiefts none by the arts of peace. On 
 the contrary, ;the territory of the United States has 
 been planted and reared by a union of liberty, good 
 .conduit, and all the comforts of domeftic virtue. 
 
 All the greater monarchies were formed by the 
 conquefl of kingdoms, different in arts, manners, 
 language, temper, or religion, from the conquerors 
 fo that the union, though in fome cafes very ftrong, 
 xvas never the real and intimate connection of the 
 fame people; and this circumftance principally acce^ 
 lerated their ruin, and was abfolutely the caufe of it 
 in fome. This will be very different in the Ameri- 
 tans. They will, in their greateft extent and popu 
 lation, be one and the fame people the fame in lan 
 guage, religion, laws, manners, tempers and purfuits; 
 for the fmail variation in fome diftricts, owing to the 
 fettlement of Germans, is an exception fo very flight, 
 .that in a few ages it will be unknown. 
 
 The AiTyrian and Roman empires were of very 
 flow growth, and therefore lafted the longeft; but flill 
 .their increafe was by conqueft, and the union ofdif- 
 fonant parts. The Perfian and Macedonian monar 
 chies were foon founded and prefen'lv overturned; 
 the former not lading fo long as the AfT\ rian, nor a 
 fixth of the duration of the Roman; and as to the 
 it lafted but fix years. This advantage 
 
 m 
 
APPENDIX. 267 
 
 cf a libw growth is ftrong in favour of the Ameri 
 cans; the wonderful increafe of their numbers is the 
 natural effect of plenty of land,- a good climate, and 
 a mild and beneficent government, in which cor 
 ruption and tyranny are wholly unknown.- Some 
 centuries are already pa ft fine e their firfl fettlement, 
 and many more will pafs before their power appears 
 in its full fplendour; but the quicknefs of a growth 
 that is entirely natural will carry with it no marks of 
 decay, being entirely different from monarchies found 
 ed by force .of arms. The Roman empire perifhed 
 by the hands of northern barbarians, whom the mai- 
 t-ers of the world difdained to conquer: it will not be 
 fo with the Americans; they fpread gradually over 
 the whole continent, infomuch that two hundred 
 years hence there probably will be nobody but them-- 
 felves in the whole northern continent: from whence 
 therefore fliould their Goths and Vandals come ? Nor 
 can they ever have any thing- to fear from the fouth; 
 firft, becaufe that country will never be populous, 
 owing to the pofTeffion of mines: fecondly, there 
 are fcveral nations and languages planted and re 
 maining in it: thirdly, the moil confiderable part of 
 it lies in the torrid zone; a region that never yet fent 
 forth nations of conquerors. 
 
 In" extent the habitable parts of North-America 
 exceed that of any of the four empires, and confe- 
 quently can feed and maintain a people much more 
 numerous than the Aflyrians or the Romans. The 
 fit nation of the region is fo advantageous that it 
 leaves nothing to be w'flied for; it can have no 
 neighbours from whom there is a poflibility of attack 
 or rnoleilation;. it will poflefs all thefolid advantages 
 of theChineie empire, without the fatal neighbour 
 hood of the Tartars. 
 
 It will have further the fingular felicity of all the 
 
 advantages of an ifland, that is, a freedom from the 
 
 attacks of others, and too many difficulties, -with 
 
 T z 100 
 
io : ;!ND2^ 
 
 too great a cliftance, to engage in enterprifes 
 heretofore proved the ruin of other monarchies. 
 
 The foil, the climate, production, and face of the 
 continent, are formed by nature for a great, indepen 
 dent, and permanent government: fill it with people 
 u-ho will of themfcives, of courfe, poifefs all fortb of 
 jnanufachires, and you will find it yielding every 
 TjeceiTary and convenience of life. Such a vafl tract 
 of country, poii'eiiing fuch fingular advantages, be 
 coming inhabited by one people, fpeaking the fame 
 language, pro felling the fame religion, and having 
 the fame manners; attaining a population equal to 
 that of thegreateft empire; fprung from an active 
 .and inchiitrions nation, who have transfufed into 
 them their otvn indultry and fpirit, and feen them 
 worthy of their original; inhabiting a foil not dan- 
 geroufly fertile, nor a clime generally conducive to 
 effeminacy; accuftomed to commerce: fuch a peo 
 ple mull found .a commonwealth as indiflblubie as 
 . humanity will allow. Suffice it for England, thafr 
 ihe will have been the origin of a commonwealth, 
 gr^atef arid more durable than any former monarchy ; 
 that her language and her manners will ftourifh among 
 a people who will one day become a fplendid fpec- 
 tacle in the vaft eye of the univtrfe. This flattering 
 idea of im mortality no other nation can hope to at 
 tain. 
 
 And here let me make an observation that mould 
 animate the r.;:thors in the En ; Hifn iangunge with an 
 r,r that cannot be infufed into thofc of any other 
 n-.itlon.; it is llic pleafing idea of living among fo 
 ;y t 'e;.t a people, through aim of I a perpetuity of fame, 
 and ft an in bility of becoming, like 
 
 the '- > dfad; known only by 
 
 the le-rne--.:. [ncfeasfing time will bring increafing 
 rea'ie;s, until their names become repeated with 
 pitufuve by above an hundred millions of people! 
 
 Aflat* 
 
APPENDIX, 209 
 
 Afiatt of ins Commercial Inter cwrfe between the United- 
 States of America and Foreign "Nations. Written in 
 the Month of June, 1792. By Thomas Jeff erf on^ Ef<$- 
 Secretary of State t the faid United States. 
 
 The countries with which the United States have 
 had their chief commercial intercourfe, are Spain, 
 Portugal, France, Great-Britain, the United Ne 
 therlands, Denmark', and Sweden, and their Ame 
 rican pofTelilons; and the articles of export which 
 conftitute the bafis of that commerce, with their re- 
 fpeclive amounts, are 
 Bread fluff, that is to fay, bread-grains, 
 
 meals, and bread, to the annual a- Dols, 
 
 mount of- 7,649,887 
 
 Tobacco 4,349,567 
 
 Rice 1,753,796 
 
 Wood - .... 1,263,534 
 
 Salted fiih -- - - - -. - - . 94^696 
 
 Pot and pearl afh ---.-- 839,093 
 Salted meats -------- 599,1^0 
 
 Indigo - 537,379 
 
 Horfes and mules - ----- 339,753 
 
 Whale oil ------- - .- 252,591 
 
 Flax feed ..- 23650*7^ 
 
 Tar,. pitch, and turpentine - - - - 217,177 
 
 Live provifions ------- J 37)743 
 
 Ships 
 
 Foreign goods -- -- 620,274. 
 
 To defcend to articles of fmaller value than theie, 
 would lead into a minutenefs of detail neither ne~ 
 cefTary nor ufeful to the prefent object. 
 
 The proportions of our exports, which go to the 
 nations before mentioned, and to their dominions,- 
 rsfpectively, are as follows: 
 
 T-3 To 
 
APPENDIX* 
 
 To Spain and its dominions -'-;- 2.005,907 
 
 Portugal and its dominions - 1,283,462 
 
 France and its dominions - - - 4,698,735 
 
 Great-Britain and its dominions - - 9,363,416 
 
 The U.Netherlands and their dominions 1,963,880 
 
 Denmark and its dominions - - - 224,415 
 
 Sweden and its dominions ... 47,240 
 
 Our Imports from the fame countries are 
 
 Spain and its dominions - - - - . 335,110 
 Portugal and its dominians - - - - 595,763 
 France and its dominions - - - - 2,068,348 
 Great-Britain and its dominions - - 15,285,428 
 United Netherlands and their dominions 1,172,692, 
 Denmark and its dominions - ... 351,394 
 Sweden and its dominions - ... H>3 2 5 
 
 Thefe imports confift moftly of articles on which 
 induitry has been exhaufted. 
 
 Oiir navigation, depending on the fame com 
 merce, will appear by the following ftatement of 
 ihe tonnage of our own vefltls, entering into our 
 ports, from thofe feveral nations and their pof- 
 ieilions, in one year, that is to fay, from October, 
 1789, to September, 1790, inclufive, as follows: 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Spain ---.._.._ 19,695 
 
 Portugal ......... 23,576 
 
 France -.-,..... 116,410 
 
 Great-Britain ........ 43,580 
 
 United Netherlands ...... 58,858 
 
 Denmark ....... H>65 5 
 
 Sweden ....... 750* 
 
 Of our commercial objects, Spain receives fa 
 vourably our bread fluff, faked iifh, wood, {lu'ps r 
 tar, pitch, and turpentine. On our meals, how 
 ever, as well as on thofe of other foreign countries, 
 when re-exported to their colonies, they have lately 
 
 ijnpofed 
 
APPENDIX. 21 I 
 
 impofcd duties of from half a dollar to two dollars 
 the barrel, the duties being fo proportioned to the 
 current price of their own flour, as that both toge 
 ther are to make the conftant fum of nine dollars 
 per barrel. 
 
 They do not difcourage our rice, pot and pearl 
 afh, falted provifions, or whale oil : but thefe articles 
 being in fmall demand at their markets, are carried 
 thither but in a fmall degree. Their demand for 
 rice, however, is increaimg. Neither tobacco nor 
 indigo are received there. Our commerce is per 
 mitted with their Canary Iflands, under the fame 
 conditions. 
 
 Themfelves and their colonies are the actual con- 
 fumers of what they receive from us. 
 
 Our navigation is free with the kingdom of Spain ; 
 foreign goods being received there in our mips, on 
 the fame conditions as if carried in their own, or in 
 the veflels of the country of which fuch goods are 
 the manufacture or produce. 
 
 Portugal receives favourably our grain and bread, 
 ialted fifh and other falted provifions, wood, tar, 
 pitch, and turpentine. 
 
 For flax-feed, pot and pearl am, though not dif- 
 couraged, there is little demand. 
 
 Our mips pay 20 per cent, on being fold to their 
 fubiects, and are then free bottoms. 
 
 Foreign goods, (except thofe of the Eaft-Indies) 
 are received on the fame footing in our veflels as in 
 their own, or any others; that is to fay, on general 
 duties of from twenty to twenty-eight per cent, and 
 confequently our navigation unobftrucled by them, 
 Tobacco, rice, and meals, are prohibited. 
 
 Themfelves and their colonies confumc what they 
 receive from us. 
 
 Thefe regulations extend to the Azores, Madeira, 
 and the Cape de Verd Iflands, except that in thefe 
 meals and rice are received freely. 
 
 France 
 
ST APPENDIX. 
 
 France receives favourably our bread fluff, rice, 
 wood, pot and pearl ames. 
 
 A duty of five fous the kental, or nearly four 
 and a half cents, is paid on our tar, pitch, and tur 
 pentine. Our whale oil pays fix livres the kental, 
 and are the only foreign whale oils admitted. Our 
 indigo pays five livres on the kental; their own, two 
 and an half : but a difference of quality, (till more 
 than a difference of duty, prevents its feeking that 
 market. 
 
 Salted beef is received freely for re-exportation, 
 but if for home confurnption, it pays five livres the 
 kental. Other faked proviiions pay that duty in all 
 cafes, and faked fifh is made lately to pay the prohir 
 bitory one of twenty livres in the kental. . 
 
 Our (hips are free to carry thither all foreign goods 
 which may be carried in. their-own or any other 
 veffels, except tobaccoes not of our own growth; 
 and they participate with their's the exclusive car 
 riage of our whale oils and tobaccoes. 
 
 During their former government, our tobacco was 
 tinder a monopoly, but paid no duties ; and our fhips 
 were freely fold in their ports, and converted into 
 national bottoms.. T-he firft National Afiembly 
 took from our ihips this privilege : they emancipated- 
 tobacco from its monopoly, but fubjecled it to du 
 ties of eighteen livres fifteen faus the kental, carried 
 in their own vefTels, and twenty-five livres carried in 
 ours, a difference, mere than equal to the freight of 
 the article* 
 
 They and their- colonies confum& what they re 
 ceive from us. 
 
 Great-Britain receives our pot and pearl allies 
 free, while thofe of other nations pay a duty of two 
 {hillings and three pence the kental. There is arv 
 equal diftinction in favour of our bar iron, of which 
 article, however, we do not produce enough for our 
 own ufe. Woods are free from us, whilft they pay 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 fome finall duty from other countries. Our tar and 
 pitch pay ud. fterling the barrel; from other alien 
 countries they pay about a penny and a third more. 
 
 Our tobacco, for their own consumption, pays 
 is. 3d. fterlmg the pound, cuflom and excii'e, be- 
 fides heavy expences of collection. And rice, in the 
 lame cafe, pays 75. 40}. ftcrling the hundred weight j 
 which rendering it too dear as an article of common 
 food, it is confequently ufed in very fmall quantity, 
 
 Our falted fifli, and other falted provifions, ex 
 cept bacon, are prohibited. Bacon and whale oil' 
 are under prohibitory duties; fo are our grains, meals, 
 and bread, as to internal confumption, unlefs in 
 times of fueh fcarcity as may raife the price of 
 wheat to. 503. fterling the quarter, and other grains 
 and meals in proportion. 
 
 Our (hips, though purchafed and navigated by 
 their own fubjects, are not permitted to be ufed, 
 even in their trade with us. 
 
 While the vefTels of other nations are Secured by 
 {landing laws, which cannot be altered but by the 
 concurrent will of the three branches of the Britifh 
 legiflature, in carrying thither any produce or ma 
 nufacture of the country to which they belong, 
 which may be lawfully carried in any veiTels, ours, 
 with the fame prohibition of what is foreign, are 
 further prohibited by a (landing law (12 Car. II. 28. 
 3) from carrying thither all and I-HIV of our own 
 domett? c productions and manufactures. A fubfe- 
 qnent act, indeed, authorifed their executive to per 
 mit the carriage of our own productions in our own 
 bottoms, at its fole difcreti'on ; and the permiffion 
 has been given from year to year by proclamation-, 
 but fubject every moment to be withdrawn on that 
 fingle will, in which event our velfels having any 
 thing on board, Hand interdicted from the entry of 
 all Britiih ports. The difadvantage of a tenure 
 which may be fo fuddenly difcontiaued was experi 
 enced 
 
'4 : APPENDIX;- 
 
 enced by our merchants on a late occafion, when avv 
 official notification that this law would be ftriftly 
 enforced, gave them juft apprehenfions for the fate 
 of their vefTels and cargoes difpatched or diftined to- 
 the ports of Great-Britain. The miiiifter of that 
 court, indeed, frankly exprefled his perfonal con 
 viction that the words of the order went farther than* 
 was intended, and fo he afterwards officially inform 
 ed us; but the embarraffrnents of the moment were 
 real and great, and the poflibility- of their renewal 
 lays our commerce to that country under the fame 
 fpecies of difcouragement as to other countries where 
 it is regulated by a (ingle legiOator; and the diftinc- 
 tion is too remarkable not to be noticed, that our 
 navigation is excluded from the fecurity of fixed 
 laws, while that fecurity is given, to the navigation- 
 of others. 
 
 Our vefTels pay their ports is. gd~. fterling per ton, 
 light and trinity dues, more than is paid by British- 
 fhips, except in the port of London, where they 
 pay the fame as Britifh. 
 
 The greater part of. what they receiv-e from us i.s 
 re-exported to other countries, under the ufelefs- 
 charges of an intermediate depofit and double voy 
 age. From tables publiflied in England, and com- 
 pofed, as is- (aidj from the books of their cullom- 
 houfes, it appears that of the indigo imported there 
 in the years 17/3- 4 $, one third was re-exported ;. 
 and from a document of authority, we learn that of 
 the rice and tobacco imported there before the war^ 
 four-fifths were re-exported. Vv r e are alfured, in 
 deed, that the quantities fent thither for re-exporta 
 tion fmce tlie. war, are cohfiderably diminitlied, yet 
 lefs fo than reafon and national intereft would dic 
 tate. The whole of our grain is. re-exported when, 
 wheat is below 505. the quarter, and other grains in 
 proportion. 
 
 The United Netherlands prohibit our pickled beef 
 
 and. 
 
APPE'NDTX, S*$ 
 
 .nd pork, menls and bread of all forts, and lay a 
 prohibitory duty on fpirits diftilted from grain. 
 
 All other of our productions are received on va 
 ried duties, which may be 'reckoned on a medium at 
 about three per cent. 
 
 They confume but a fmall proportion of what 
 they receive; the refidue is partly forwarded for con-- 
 fumption in the iniand parts of Europe, and partly 
 re-fhipped to other maritime countries. .On the 
 latter proportion they intercept between us and the 
 confumer fo much of the value as is abforbed by the 
 charges attending an intermediate depolit. 
 
 Foreign goods, except fome Eaft-India articles, 
 are received in vefiels of any nation. 
 
 Our (hips may be fold and naturalized there with 
 exceptions of one or two privileges, which fome- 
 what leflen their value. 
 
 Denmark lays confiderable duties on our tobacco 
 and rice carried in their own vefTels, and half as 
 much more if carried in ours; but the exact amount 
 of thefe duties is not perfectly known here. They 
 lay fuch as amount to prohibitions on our indigo 
 and corn. 
 
 Sweden receives favourably our grains and meals, 
 falted provifions, indigo, and whale oil. 
 
 They fubject our rice to duties of fixteen mills 
 the pound weight carried in their own veflels, and 
 of forty percent, additional on that, or 22,4 TO mills, 
 carried in ours or any others. Being thus rendered 
 too dear as an article of common food, little of it is 
 confumed with them. They confume more of our 
 tobaccoes, which they take circuitoufly through 
 Great-Britain, levying heavy duties on them alfo; 
 their duties of entry, town duties, and excifc, being 
 4 dols. 34 cents, the hundred weight, if carried in. 
 their own veflels, and of 40 per cent, on that addi 
 tional, if carried in our own or any other veiTels. 
 
 They prohibit altogether our bread, fifh, pot and 
 
 pear! 
 

 l6 APPENDIX. 
 
 pearl afhes, flax-feed, tar, pitch and turpentine., 
 wood (except oak timber and mafts), and all foreign 
 manufactures. 
 
 Under fo many reftri&ions and prohibitions, our 
 navigation with them is reduced almoft to nothing. 
 
 With our neighbours, -an order of things much 
 harder prefents itfelf. 
 
 Spain and Portugal refufe to thofe parts of Ame 
 rica which they govern, all direct intercourfe with 
 any people but themfelves. The commodities in 
 mutual demand between them and their neighbours 
 mu ft be carried to be exchanged in fome port of the 
 dominant country, and the tranfportation between 
 that and the fubject flate muft be in a domeftic 
 bottom. 
 
 France, l>y a ftanding law, permits her Weft- 
 7ndia pbfleffions to receive directly our vegetables, 
 live provifions, horfes, wood, tar, pitch and turpen 
 tine, rice and maize, and prohibits our other bread 
 F; but a fufpeniion of this prohibition having 
 been left to the colonial legiflatures in times of fear- 
 city, it was formerly fulpended occafionally, but 
 latterly without interruption. 
 
 Our frefli and faked provifions (except pork) are 
 received in their iflands under a duty of three colonial 
 livres the kental, and our veflels are as free as their 
 own to carry our commodities thither, and to bring 
 away rum and molafles. 
 
 Great-Britain admits in her iflands our vegetables, 
 live provifions, horfes, wood, tar, pitch and turpen 
 tine, rice and bread fluff, by a proclamation of her 
 executive, limited always to the term of a year. 
 She prohibits our falted provifions: fhe does not 
 permit our veflcls to carry thither our own produce. 
 Her vefleis alone may take it from us, and bring in 
 exchange, rum, molafles, fugar, coffee, cocoa nuts, 
 ginger, and pimento. There are, indeed, fomc 
 freedoms in the ifland of Dominica, but under iuch 
 
 circumftances 
 
APPENDIX. 217 
 
 circumftances as to be little ufed by us. In the 
 Britifh continental colonies, and in Newfoundland, 
 all our productions are prohibited, and our vefTel* 
 forbidden to enter their ports; their governors how 
 ever, in times of diftrefs, have power to permit* 
 temporary importation of certain .articles in their 
 own bottoms, but not in ours. 
 
 Our citizens cannot reiide as merchants or fadlort 
 within any of the Britifh plantations, this being ex- 
 prefsly prohibited by the fame flatute of 12 Car. II, 
 C. 18. commonly called the Navigation Act. . 
 
 In the Danifh American pofleffions, a duty of 
 five per cent, is levied on our corn, corn-meal, rice,, 
 tobacco, wood, falted nfh, indigo, horfes, mules> 
 and live flock; and of ten per cent, on our flour, 
 falted pork and beef, tar, pitch, and turpentine. 
 
 In the American iflands of the United Nether 
 lands and Sweden, our veffels and produce are re 
 ceived, fubjeft to duties, not fo heavy as to have 
 been complained of; but they are heavier in the 
 Dutch pofTcffions on the continent. 
 
 To fum up thefe reflridions, fo far as they arc 
 
 i/?. In Europe-* 
 
 Our bread fluff is at moil times under prohibitory 
 duties in England, and confiderably dutied on ex 
 portation from Spain to her colonies. 
 
 Our tobaccoes are heavily dutied in England, 
 Sweden, and France, and prohibited in Spain and 
 Portugal. 
 
 Our rice is heavily dutied in England and-Sweden, 
 and prohibited in Portugal.' 
 
 Our fifh and falted provisions are prohibited in 
 England, and under prohibitory duties in France. 
 
 Our whale-oils are prohibited' in England and Por 
 tugal. 
 
 And our veflels are denied naturalization in Eng 
 land, and of late in France. 
 
 U */. 2# 
 
ftl8 APPENDIX- 
 
 2</. In the Weft-Indies. 
 
 All intercourfe is prohibited with the pofieffrons 
 of Spain and Portugal. 
 
 Our failed proviiions and nfh are prohibited by 
 England. 
 
 Our falted pork, and bread fluff (except maize,} 
 are received under temporary laws only, in the do 
 minions of France, and our falted fifh pays there a 
 weighty duty. 
 
 3d. In the Article of N 
 
 Our own carriage of our own tobacco is heavily 
 dutied in Sweden, and lately in France. 
 
 We can carry no article, not of our own produc 
 tion, to the Britifh ports in Europe. 
 
 Nor even our own produce to her American 
 pofleflions. 
 
 Such being the reftriclions on the commerce and 
 navigation of the United States, the queftion is, in 
 what way they may beft be removed, modified, or 
 counteracted ? 
 
 As to the commerce, two methods occur, i. By 
 friendly arrangements with the feveral nations with 
 whom thefe reftriclions exift: or, zd. By the fepa- 
 rate act of our own legiflatures for countervailing 
 their effects. 
 
 There can be no doubt, but that of thefe two, 
 friendly arrangement is the mod eligible. Inftead 
 of embarraffing commerce under piles of regulating 
 laws, duties, and prohibitions, could it be relieved 
 from all its (hackles in all parts of the world could 
 every country be employed in producing that which 
 nature has beft fitted it to produce, and each be free 
 to exchange with others mutualfurpluiTes for mutual 
 wants, the greatefl mafs poflible would then be pro 
 duced of thofe things which contribute to human 
 life and human happinefs: the numbers of mankind 
 would be increafed, and their condition bettered. 
 
 Would 
 
APPENDIX. 219 
 
 Would even a fingle nation begin with the United 
 States this fyftem of free commerce, it would be 
 advifable to begin it with that nation; fince it is by 
 one only that it can be extended to all. Where the 
 c 5 re urn fiances of either party render it expedient to 
 levy a revenue, by way of import, on commerce, 
 its freedom might be modified, in that particular, by 
 mutual and equivalent meafures, preierving it entire 
 in all others. 
 
 Some nations, not yet ripe for free commerce, iu 
 all its extent, might ftill be willing to mollify its re- 
 ftriclions and regulations for us in proportion to the 
 advantages which an intercourfe with us might 
 offer. Particularly they may concur with us in re 
 ciprocating the duties to be levied on each fide, or 
 in compenfating any excefs of duty, by equivalent 
 advantages of another nature. Our commerce is 
 certainly of a character to entitle it to favour in moft 
 countries. The commodities we offer are either 
 neceflaries of life, or materials for manufacture, or 
 convenient fubjecls of revenue; and we take in ex 
 change, either manufactures, when they have re 
 ceived the laft finim, of art and induftry, or mere 
 luxuries. Such cuftomers may reafonably expect 
 welcome, and friendly treatment at every market; 
 cuftomers too, whole demands, increafing with their 
 wealth and population, muft very {hortly give full 
 employment to the whole induftry of any nation 
 xvhatever, in any line of fupply they may get into 
 the habit of calling for from it. 
 
 But mould any nation, contrary to our wiflies, 
 fuppofe it may better find its advantages by continu 
 ing its fyftem of prohibitions, duties, and regula 
 tions, it behoves us to prote& our citizens, their 
 commerce, and navigation, by counter-prohibitions, 
 duties, and regulations alfo. Free commerce and 
 navigation are not to be given in exchange for re- 
 flrictions and vexatious; nor are they likely to pro 
 duce a relaxation of them. 
 
 U 2, Our 
 
320 APPENDIX. 
 
 Our navigation involves ftiil higher confuki:- 
 tions. As a branch of indufrry, it is valuable; bat 
 AS a reiburce, eilentia!. 
 
 Its value, as a branch of induftry, is enhanced by 
 the dependence of fo many other branches on it. In 
 times of general peace it multiplies competitors for 
 employment in tranfportation, and io keeps that at 
 its proper level; and in times of war, that is to fay, 
 when thole nations who may be our principal car 
 riers, ihall be at war with each other, if we have not 
 within ourfelves the means of tranfportation, our 
 produce mnir be exported in belligerent veflels at 
 the increafed expence of warfreight and infurance, 
 and the articles which will not bear that, muft perifh. 
 on our hands. 
 
 But it is a refonrce for defence that our navigation 
 vill admit neither neglect nor forbearance. The 
 pciitron and circtimilances of the United States leave 
 them nothing to fenr on their land-board, and nothing 
 to defire beyond their prefent rights. But on their 
 iea- board, they are open to injury, and they have 
 there, too, a commerce which muft be protected. 
 This can only be done by poflefiing a refpeclable 
 body of citizen -feamen, and of arti'ic r.nd eftabiiflv- 
 Clients in read in efs for Ihip-biiilding 
 
 Were the ocean, which is the common properly- 
 *if all,, open to the induilry of all ? fo that every per-- 
 ibn and vefiel fliould be free to take employment 
 -ever it could be found, tlie United States would 
 j'.inly not fet the fx^rnple of appropriating to 
 :liemfelves, exclufively, any portion of the common 
 ':. of occupation. They would rely on the en- 
 nd activity of their citizens for a due parti- 
 ion of the benefits of the feafnring bufinefs,and 
 for keeping the marine clafs of citizens equal to their 
 t. But if particular nations grafp at undue 
 s, and more efpecially if they feize on the means 
 of the United States to convert them into aliment fdr 
 their own ftrength,and withdraw them entirely from 
 
 *"' the 
 
APPENDIX. 221 
 
 the fupport of thofe to whom they belong, defenfive 
 and protecting meafures becoire neceflary on the 
 part of the nation whofe marine refources are thus 
 invaded, or it will be difarmed of its defence; its 
 productions will lie at the mercy of the nation 
 which has poflefied itfelf exclufively of the means of 
 carrying them, and its politics may be influenced 
 by thofe who command its commerce. The carri 
 age of our own commodities, if once eftablilhed in 
 another channel, cannot be relumed in the moment 
 we may defire. If we lofe the feamen and artifts 
 whom it now occupies, we lofe the prefent means 
 of marine defence, and time will be requifite to raife 
 up others, when difgrace or lofles fnali bring home 
 to our feelings the error of having abandoned them. 
 The materials for maintaining our due fliare of na 
 vigation are ours in abundance; and as to the mode 
 of ufing them, we have only to adopt the principles 
 of thofe who thus put us on the defenfive, or others 
 equivalent and better fitted to our circumfhnces. 
 
 The following principles being founded in reci 
 procity, appear perfectly juft, and to offer no caufe 
 of complaint to any nation. 
 
 ift. Where a nation impofes high duties on our 
 productions, or prohibits them altogether, it maybe 
 proper for us to do the fame by theirs, firft burthen- 
 ing or excluding thofe productions which they bring 
 here in competition with our own of the fame kind; 
 felecting next fuch manufactures as we take from 
 them in greateft quantity, and which at the fame 
 time we could the foor.eft furnim to ourfelves, or 
 obtain from other countries; impofing on them du- 
 ties lighter at firft, but heavier and heavier afterwards, 
 as other channels of fupply open. Such duties hav 
 ing the effect of indirect encouragement to domeftic 
 manufactures of the fame kind, may induce the 
 manufacturer to come himfelf into thofe liates; 
 where cheaper fubiiftence, equal laws, and a vent 
 of his wares, free of duty, may infure him the 
 U 3 higher* 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 higheft profits from his fkill and induftry. An<! 
 here it would be in the power of the ftate govern 
 ments to co-operate eflentially, by opening the re- 
 iburces of, encouragement which are under their 
 controul, extending them liberally to art i Its in thofe 
 particular branches of manufacture, for which their 
 foil, climate, population, and other circumftances 
 have matured them, and foftering the precious efforts 
 and progrefs of houfehold manufacture, by fome pa 
 tronage fuited to the nature of its objects, guided by 
 the local informations they poilefs, and guarded 
 againft abufe by their prefence and attentions. The 
 oppreffions on our agriculture in foreign . ports 
 would thus be made the occafion of relieving it from 
 a dependence on the councils and conduit of others, 
 and of promoting arts, manufactures, and popula 
 tion, at home. 
 
 2jd. Where a nation refufes permiffien to our 
 merchants and factors to refide within certain parts 
 of their dominions, we may, if it fliould be thought 
 expedient, refufe refidence to theirs in any and every 
 part of ours, or modify their tranfations. 
 
 3. Where a nation refufes to receive in our veiTels 
 niiV productions but our own, we may refufe to re 
 ceive, in theirs, any but their own productions. 
 The firftand fecond claufes of the bill reported by 
 She committee are well formed" to effect this object. 
 
 4th. Where a nation refufes to confider any veflel 
 ;rs which has not been built within our territo- 
 . we fhould refufe to confider as theirs r.ny vef- 
 icl not built within their territories. 
 
 5th. Where a .nation refufes to onr veflels the 
 
 .age even of our own productions to certain 
 
 r-.:imtries under their domination, we might refufe to 
 
 rsj of every defcription, the carriage of the ;; 
 
 productions to the fame countries. 3utasjufKce. 
 
 ?,i)od. neighbourhood would dictate, that thofe 
 
 -who have no pi\,". ii <.[i the rtitrictioa on us> 
 
 Jaoi;l/i iiot t-f *"d to de- 
 
APPENDIX, 32.3 
 
 feat its effect, it may be proper to confine the re- 
 ilricftion of veiTels owned or navigated by any fub- 
 jecls of the fame dominant power, other than the in- 
 habi^ants of the country to which the faid produc 
 tions are to be carried.- And to prevent all incon 
 venience to the faid inhabitants, and to our own, 
 by too fudden a check on the means of tranfporta- 
 tion, we may continue to admit the veflels marked 
 for future exclusion, on an advanced tonnage, and 
 for fuch length of time only, as may be fuppofed ne- 
 ceflary to provide againft that inconvenience. 
 
 The eftablifhment of fome of thefe principles by 
 Great-Britain alone has already loft us, in our com 
 merce with that country and its pofleflions, between 
 eight and nine hundred vefTels of near 40,000 tons 
 burthen, according to ftatements from official mate 
 rials, in which they have confidence. This involves 
 a proportional lofs of feamen, fliipwrights, and fhip- 
 building, and is too ierious a lofs to admit forbear 
 ance of fome effectual remedy. 
 
 It is true we muft expert fome inconvenience 
 in practice, from the eftablifhment of difcriminating 
 duties. But in this, as in fo many other cafes, we 
 are left to choofe between two evils. Thefe incon 
 veniences are nothing when weighed againft the lofs 
 of wealth and lofs of force, which will follow bur 
 perfeverance in the plan of indifcrimination. 
 When once it fliall be perceived that we are either 
 in the fyftem or the habit of giving equal advantages 
 to thofe who extinguifh our commerce and naviga 
 tion, by duties and prohibitions, as to thofe who 
 treat both with liberality and juftice, liberality and 
 juflice will be converted by all into duties and pro 
 hibition:;. It is not to the moderation and juftice 
 of others we are to truft for fair and equal accefs to 
 market with our productions, or for our due fhare 
 in the tranfportation of them; but to our rneanApf 
 independence, and the firm will to ufe them, 
 do the icLconveaiencies of diicrknination merit con? 
 
 fideraticii, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 fideration. Not one of the nations before mention - 
 ed, perhaps not a commercial nation on earth, is 
 without them. In our cafe one diftinclion alone 
 will fuffice, that is to fay, between nations who fa 
 vour our productions and navigation, and thofe 
 who do not favour them. One fet of moderate du 
 ties, fay the prefent duties, for the firft, and a fixed 
 advance on thefe as to fome articles, and prohibitions 
 as to others, for the laft. 
 
 Still it muft be repeated, that friendly arrange 
 ments are preferable with all who will come into 
 them; and that we fhould carry into fuch arrange 
 ments all the liberality and fpirit of accommodation, 
 which the nature of the cafe will admit. 
 
 France has, of her own accord, propofed nego- 
 ciations for improving, by a new treaty, on fair and 
 equal principles, the commercial relations of the two 
 countries. But her internal difturbances have hi 
 therto prevented the profecution of them to effect, 
 though we have had repeated aflurances of a conti 
 nuance of the difpoiition. 
 
 Propofals of friendly arrangement have been made 
 on our part by the prefent government to that of 
 Great-Britain, as the meflage itates ; but, being already 
 on as good a footing in law, and a better in fact, than 
 the moft favoured nation, they have not as yet dif- 
 covered any difpofition to have it meddled with. 
 
 We have no reafon to conclude that friendly ar 
 rangements would be declined by the other nations 
 with whom we have fuch commercial intercourse as 
 may render them important. In the mean while, it 
 would reft with the wifdom of Congrefs to determine 
 whether, as to thofe nations, they will not furceafe 
 exparte regulations, on the reafonable prefumption 
 that they will concur in doing whatever juftice and 
 moderation dictate fhould be clone. 
 
 THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, fome alterations of 
 the condition of our commerce with fome fovereigti 
 
 nations 
 
APPENDIX. 22j 
 
 liations have taken place. France has propofed to 
 enter into a new treaty of commerce with us, on 
 liberal principles; and has, in the mean time, relaxed 
 fome of the reftraints mentioned in the Report. 
 Spain has, by an ordinance of June la ft, eftabiifhed 
 New Orleans, Penfacola, and St. Auguftine, into 
 free ports, for the vefiels of friendly nations having 
 treaties of commerce with her, provided they touch 
 for a permit at Corcubion in Gallicia, or at Alicant; 
 and our rice is by the fame ordinance excluded from 
 that country. 
 
 The following are fome of tJie principal Articles of Ex- 
 portalion from the United States of America during 
 the Year ending in September , 1792. 
 
 Three millions one hundred and forty thoufand 
 two hundred and fifty-five bufhels of grain (princi* 
 pally wheat). 
 
 One million four hundred and fixty-nine thoufand 
 feven hundred and twenty-three barrels of flour, 
 meal, bifcuit, and rice (reducing calks of various 
 fizes to the proportion of flour barrels). 
 
 Sixty million fix hundred and forty-fix thoufand 
 eight hundred and fixty-one feet of boards, plank, 
 -md fcaritling (inch board meafnre). 
 
 Thirty-one million feven hundred and fixty thou* 
 fand feven hundred and two iiaves and hoops. 
 
 Seventy-one million fix hundred and ninety- thred 
 thoufand eight hundred and fixty-tree fliingles. 
 
 Nineteen thoufand three hundred and ninety-one 
 and a half tons of timber. 
 
 Eighteen thoufand three hundred and feventy-foue 
 pieces of timber. 
 
 One thoufand and eighty cedar and oak fliip knees. 
 
 One hundred and ninety-one frames of houfes. 
 
 Seventy-three thoufand three hundred and eigh 
 teen oars, rafters for oars, and handfpikes. 
 
 Forty-eight thoufand eight hundred and fixty 
 ihook or knock down calks, 
 
 One 
 
226 APPENDIX. 
 
 One hundred and forty-fix thoufand nine hundred 
 and nine barrels of tar, pitch, turpentine and rofin. 
 
 Nine hundred and forty-eight thoufand one hun 
 dred and fifteen gallons of fpirits, diftilled in the 
 United States. 
 
 One hundred and fixteen thoufand eight hundred 
 and three barrels of beef, pork, bacon, mutton, oyf- 
 ters, &c. (reducing cafks of various fizes to the pro 
 portion of beef and pork barrels.) 
 
 Two hundred and thirty-one thoufand feven hun 
 dred and feventy-fix barrels of dried and pickled finY 
 
 Seven thoufand eight hundred and twenty-three 
 tons twelve cwt.and4.lb. of potafhes and pearl allies. 
 
 One hundred and twelve thoufand four hundred 
 and twenty-eight hogftieads of tobacco. 
 
 Fifty*two thoufand three hundred and eighty-one 
 hogfheads of flax-feed. 
 
 Forty-four thoufand feven hundred and fifty-two 
 horfes, horned cattle, mules,, and (lieep. 
 
 The preceding extract from the copy of an authen 
 tic official return of all the exports from the United 
 States of America, within the year, ending in Sep 
 tember laft, conveys an idea of the wealth, import 
 ance, and progrcffive profperity of that country, far 
 furpaffing what has been heretofore entertained on 
 the fubjeft. 
 
 P. S. From the ift of January, 1793, to the ift of 
 January, 1794, there were exported from the port of 
 Philadelphia, 422,075 barrels of flour. 
 
 Of the Civil Lift, and Re-venue of the United States. 
 
 Ab draft of an Eftimate of the Expenditures of the 
 civil lift of the United States, for the year 1793, re 
 ported by A. Hamilton, Secretary cf the Treafury 
 to the Hbule of Reprefentatives. 
 
 Dollars. 
 
 Prefident's Salary , 25,000 
 
 Vice- Prefident's ditto fj.ooo 
 
 Chief Juitice 4,000 
 
 AfTociate Juflices J 7?5oo 
 
 Ail 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 All the diftria Judges 
 
 Congrefs 
 
 Treafury Department 
 
 Department of State 
 
 Department of W*r 
 
 Commiffioners of old accounts 
 
 Loan Offices 
 
 Weftern Territory 
 
 Amount of Penfions 
 
 Contingencies 
 
 Total 3 52, 466 or 
 
 In Britifh Money /. 79,304 17 oftcrl, 
 
 The Revenues. 
 
 The American revenue, for 1793, is ftated to be 
 4,400,000 dollars, exclu.fi ve of what may arife from 
 the fale of lands in the Weftern Territory ; there is 
 likevvife upwards of the value of 5,000,000 dollars 
 in bullion, lying in the Bank of the United States. 
 Eftimate of Ex pence for the Year 1794. 
 
 Dols. Cents, 
 
 The whole Civil Lift for 1794, is 397,201 6 
 Extraordinaries for Pub 
 lic Works, Benevolences, &c. - 147,693 43 
 - Eftimate of the War Ex- 
 
 pences for 1794 ----- 1,457,936 
 
 Total 2,002,830 50 
 
 The Dollar is 45. 6d. fterling, and the Cent is the 
 hundredth part of a Dollar. 
 
 The celebrated Mr. Thomas Paine, in his letter 
 to Mr. Secretary Dundas, publiihed in London in 
 the month of June, 1792, and who 'on this fubjec~r, 
 (without offending any party) may be entitled to 
 credit, gives a ftatement'of the expences of the Ame 
 rican government in the following words: 
 
 The expences of all the feveral departments of the 
 General Reprefentative Government of the United 
 of America, extending over a fpace of country 
 
 near! 
 
;a$ APTEXDIX. 
 
 nearly ten times larger than England, is two hun 
 dred and ninety-four thoufand five hundred and fifty- 
 eight dollars, which at 45. 6d. per dollar, is 66,275!. 
 us. fterling, and is thus apportioned: 
 
 Ex fences of the Executive Department. 
 The Office of the Prefidency, at which 
 
 the Prefident receives nothing for . s. 
 himfclf ----- 5,625 o 
 Vice Prefident - - 1,125 o 
 
 Chief -Juftice - - 900 o 
 
 Five aflbciate Juftices - 3?937 10 
 
 Nineteen Judges of Diftri&s and Attor 
 ney General - - 6,873 I S 
 
 Lcgijlative Department. 
 Members of Congrefs at fix dollars 
 (il. 75.) per day, their Secretaries, 
 Clerks, Chaplains, Meflengers, Door 
 keepers, &c. * ojS'S 
 
 Treafury Department. 
 
 -Secretary, Affiftant, Comptroller, Audi 
 tor, Treafurer, Regifter, and Loan- 
 Office-Keeper, in each ftate, together 
 with all neceflary Clerks, Office- 
 Keepers, &c. 12,825 
 Department of State, including Foreign Affairs. 
 .Secretary, Clerks, &c. &c. - 1,406 5 
 
 Department cf War. 
 
 Secretary, Clerks, Pay mailers, Commif- 
 fioner, &c. - 1,46^ 10 
 
 Commijfioners for fettling Old Accounts* 
 The whole Board, Clerks, &c. - - 2,598 15 
 
 Incidental and Contingent Expences. 
 .For Fire Wood, Stationary, Print 
 ing, &c. 4,006 1 6 
 
 Total ^6,275 ij 
 
 F I N I S. 
 
o so