The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-03-30 00:00:00

Total ..... 287

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IX POITID.
roar (barrels) ......

THE ARMY.

. 156

.4W

The Ist and 24 Divisions of the 9th Regiment of Light Dragoons
Lancers) have arrived at Portpatrick, from Donagbadee, on route to
Glasgow.
The Ist Division of the Kth (the King's) Regiment of Foot dimmbarked
on the 20th lost., from on board the Diadem transport, at Greenock, from
Plymouth, on route to Glasgow.
'llw Sth (the Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Regiment of Dragoon
Guards has received orders to march from Glasgow, to Carlisle ; one
Squadron of which Corp. will subsequently be ordered to Newcastle, and
two Squadrons and Head-Quarters to York.
One Squadron of tha fith Regiment of Dragoon Guards (Carahlneers)
has received orders to march from Edinburgh to Berwick, and to proceed
from :Gene, to Canterbury.
The Ist Division of the 6.34 (West Suffolk) Regiment of Infantry (which
Is destined for Sew South Wale•; .ailed on the 21st Inst., on board the
Hope transport, from ('ork, for Chatham.

THE AMERICAN FUR AND SANDAL (FOOD

TRADE.

The Report of the Select Committee in Congress, on the cub.
ject of establishing a military post on the Columbia river, is a very
interesting document.
Their tiro inquiries are directed to the nature of the climate;
and they tind, trom the observations of d,fferent navigators and
travellers, that it is temperate, pleasant, healthy, though at certain
seasons subject to frequent rain along the sea coast. Between the
mountainous ridge near the ocean, and the chain of mountains
which crosses the Oregon, lies the rich valley of Columbia, which
is represented as a feriae and delightful country. shaded by thick
groves of tall timber. The soil is rich, and capable of any species
of culture. _ .

With respect to the advantages to be derived from establishing a
post on the waters of the Columbia, the Committee consider the
fur trade an an object of great consequence, both to the mercantile
community and to the Government, as a source of revenue. This
region is known to abound with animals whose furs are very valu.
able, and particularly suitable for the China market. It is obvious,
say the Committee, that, at no very distant period, all the valu-
able fur-producing animals east of the Rocky Mountains will
either be driven west or exterminated. Even now, the beaver is
almost extinct. It is well worth consideration, whether prompt
measures ought not to be adopted to prevent foreigners from enjoy.
ing an almost exclusive monopoly of this almost invaluable trade
within our own limits ; and a total monopoly it must become when-
ever these animals shall find their only shelter in the vast forests
near the Pacific Ocean, unless the ptotecting arm of Government
be extended to that region.
In connexion with the fur trade, say the Committee, the trade in
the sandal wood of the Sandwich Islands, always in demand at
Canton, must be taken into consideration : this with ginseng, which
grows in profusion on the coast, opium, copper, and specie, are the
only articles with which trade can be transacted in that city.
" In 1801, sixteen ships were engaged in the traffic, fifteen of
which were owned in the United States, and one in Great Britain.
Eighteen thousand sea otter skins, besides other furs, were collected
for the China market. in that yea!, by the American vessels alone."
" In 1822, there were fourteen vessels from the United States
engaged in this trade. combined with that to the Sandwich Islands
for sandal wood. These vessels were from 200 to 400 tons each:
crews from 25 to 30 each, and the duration of the voyage usually
three years."
The usual course of this trade is a voyage to the North-west Coast,
where a part of the cargo is exchanged for furs; then to the Sand.
with Islands, where the lading is completed with sandal wood ;
then to Canton, where this cargo is exchanged for tea, &c.
The value at Canton of furs, sandal wood, and other articles
carried thither in 1821, by American vessels, from this coast, is es-
timated by the writer at 500,000 dollars in that market ; and this
was an under estimate. The capital employed comparatively
nothing.
Since that time it is presumed that the trade has not been less.
The Committee entertain no doubt that, on the lowest estimate,
founded on an accurate statement, the amount of annual sales at
Canton of articles from the north-west coast and Sandwich Islands
are equal to half a million of dollars, after deducting the original
outfit of each vessel ; kir it is well known, that the cargoes which
are taken from America to this coast are generally the refuse of the
hardware shops, and, comparatively speaking, of very little value.
The proceeds of the sales are generally invested in teas, the du.
ties on which, we learn from the best authority, are, on an average,
equal to the original cost of the article in the Chinese market ;
giving to the revenue the annual sum of five hundred thousand
, dollars; and an advance to the owners in the American market.
"Phis trade is to be considered in another point of view : much of the
tea is reshipped to Ilolland, to the Mediterranean, to the West
Indies, South America, and elsewhere, giving activity to other
important branches of trade, employment to sailors, freight to ship.
owners. returning to our market other articles, productive both of
profit and of revenue. The history of this trade, when
understood, will furnish a partial solution of a problem in
political economy. Notwithstanding the apparent advance
of' the nation in wealth and prosperity, a national bank.
ruptcy was apprehended, because the books of the Custom.
houses exhibited an alarming excess of imports over exports. It
was apprehended, and apparently with wine show of reason, that
the excess of importations would eventually produce a ruinous
balance against the United States. Yet, upon examination, it will
be easily discovered that the return of 1,000.000 in the productions
of China, as an offset against a trifling export, instead of indicating
an extravagant and ruinous excess of importations, demonstrates
the immense profits of trade and navigation on this coast. It will
easily be seen, that the continuance of this trade for thirty yews,
(and it has been pursued for a longer period,) has added 15,000,000
dollars to the actual capital of the country, besides paying to the
, revenue 15.000,000 more.

_ ..._._.
The report then goes on to describe and enumerate the unde ye
loped capacities of this region on the North-west Coast for trade,
and the anticipated advantages of it are depicted in very glowing
colours.

These advantages, say the Committee, great as they now are, will
be trifling, in comparison to what they will be, whenever a water
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through
the Isthmus, dividing North and South America, shall have been
effected. Of the practicability of this communication there is no
doubt. If Humboldt is to he believed, the expense at one place
would not exceed that of the Delaware and Chesapeake canal.
Should it be accomplished, a revolution in commerce will be ef.
fected, greater than any since the discovery of America ; by which
both the power and the objects of its actions will be more than
doubled. The Indian commerce of Europe will pass through
America, and more commercial wealth will be borne upon the
ample bosom of the Pacific, than ever was wafted over the waves of
the Atlantic, in the proudest days of the commercial greatness of
Spain. Portugal, France, Holland, and England.
If it were given to a civilized, commercial, and manufacturing
people " where to choose their place of rest," the world affords no
position equal to this, and it requires no prophetic spirit to foresee
the wealth and grandeur of that fortunate race, whose happy des-
tiny shall have placed their ancestors in this beautiful region.

Ave, MARCH 21.—A most distressing accident occurred
this morning at the coal-pit lately opened by Mr. Taylor, at the
Bell Rock quarry, opposite Prestwick toll, by. chick three men
lost their lives, and five have been materially Injured. This pit
has only been wrought about three weeks. The men who first
came to go down this morning were doubtful as to their safety, and
sent for William Pride, an experienced collier, in order that his
opinion might be taken. Pride arrived along with Mr. Gordon, a
nephew of 31r. Taylor's, and who acted as a master or inspector of
the works, and it was resolved to go down. John Dunlop and W.
Smellie went first down, Pride and 31r. Gordon next, and after
them Joseph Ewing and John Bice. Two boys were standing et
the pit head waiting the rtuen of the creel to go down, when
a dreadful explosion took place, which burst the building at the
pit head and drove the two boys to the ground at the distance of
eight or ten yards from where they stood. ln about 10 or 13 minutes
a cry was heard from below, and upon going down, Gordon,
Smellie. and Rice. were found in a senseless state. William Pride
was able to speak, Ewing and Dunlop were dead, and Pride ex.
Aired a few minutes after he wan brought up, These unfortunate
men have all left wives and children to bewail their loss. We are
happy to state that no fears are entertained for the recovery of the
Others.

ASSIZE IN7'ELLIGEIVCE.
NORTHERN CIRCUIT.-YOl Z, MARCH 28.

WRIT OF RIGHT.
ANGEL V. ANGEL.

This morning, as early as seven o'clock, attempts were made to
obtain admittance at the Castle gates. Orders, however, having
been issued that none were to be admitted to the Magistrates'
seats, without an introductory note from the Under Sheriff, but few
persons obtained seats, and these gentlemen of some rank and im-
portance in the aunty, with
•• Store of ladies, whose bright eyes
Reign influence."
Those who had not the good fortune to obtain a ticket, waited with
great anxiety until the trumpeters announcedbis Lordship's arrival,
when the doors were thrown open.
No sooner had his Lordship taken his seal upon the Rencn. than
it was understood the cause of their great anxiety was put off or,
to use the technical phrase of the law—the record was withdrawn.
Curiosity was then on the tip.toe to learn the reason, when it was
buzzed about that, in consesuence of the illness of a material wit-
ness (on the part, we understand, of the demandant), his Ma-
jesty's Attorney-General advised the postponement of the cause
until the next Assizes. Sir John soon afterwards proceeded to
London.

The retainer and brief fees, we have heard, were 600 guineas.
The property in question is worth about 6.000/. per annum.
We observed one of the Knights (Capt. Price) in Court, dressed
in a blue coat and buff waistcoat and trowsers, and sword attached.
It has been a great disappointment to many, and particularly to
the fair sex, ever on the look out for something novel.