Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-10-23
FRENCH COMMERCE.

FRENCH COMMERCE.
aM,msri;ai Of the Engravers and Printers
,ntoysi at the Manata6ori<s effPr'nf-
1Cottoas in The city Of Reafs, TO The
FRI Csnlai of the French Republic.
aGEN. First Consul,
off there be q principal at prefent ge-
nrally agreed upon, it is, that the power
md true greatneis of empires are the patri-
nooy Of the indufrious and commercial
nations. England, more than any other
nation, preients a model worthy of imita-
lion. This empire confifing of a terrific
Of but fmall extent, and containing
iarcely more than fen millions of indivi-
iuas, pofeaes, notwithstanding, a marked
usuonderance in the commercial fyRem OF
he whole world. Far from the var hav-
mp proved difaarous &C this power, amidft
he ealamities of the nations OF the CONT
pDt, fhe has efablifhed a domination of
Inch coloGel magnitude, thar for a long
period no nation can entet into competiti-
90 with her.
"France, more than any other power,
femed defined, by the genius other inha-
bitants and her petition, to excite that
competition, to balance the value ofthe
produss of induitry, and TO maintain the
uutea in every thing which relates to the
PERFECTION of any production ; and this
merit is allowed to her by the unequivocal
laffages of all nations. But the caufe
which paralysis cur ipduitry and our com-
MERGE, originated in circumstances of, per-
hap, a more powerful operation than any
which have been hitherto alledged.
The French government, almof in
?cdantly occupied during fix years with
nsown political diAentions, and having
to carry On a war at hcme and abroad,
could bot little employ itfelf in exs-
mining ,hefe circumstances, and in prevent
ing their effects. The epoch of a general
peace induced a hope Of lefs difaRrous on
k@quences. We made bold TO inform you,
citizen General, that il is of extreme ur-
sence that you ihould fix your attention
apOn the city ofRouen and the department.
Our manufat turing indufry is on the verge
Of ruin. if fpeedy meafures do not top the
decay produced by falfe theories, and the
lplrit of the commercial fyfem.
Some have ventured 10 sGert, tha,
french induRry can be carried TO the high
cit PERFECTION only by the fimulus of r.
"a induary. Where, then, is this rival
hip to be found : Is it in the execution
asaeproceiles for completing the produas
our induary, or in the want of the raw
Materials neceiIary to this perfedions Is
I'm the channels of coniumption for a
@nmerce as yer but of very fmall extent,
a0n the want of confidence! or, in a
word, is it from a more fatal coniequence
= the little national fpirit poAsfed by
tIsnchmen?
Il, Foreign induffry, and particularly
@ss OF our powerful rival, enjoys a de-
Use OF protection too little regarded BY
s Ss French merchant, and which, though
S'ne'to overlooked, has rendered it pre-
WI . Ours, on the contrary, CON-
r.ie0 to truf to its own efforts, exhibits
NY decay, and complete deprefion. On.
: one fde there is an abundance of raw
siials, and at moderate prices and
s'esnie Capitals, and iefo0rcts always
~. BY the public banks, enable the
s,s aa'aeturer TO attempt and to 'fuppore-
n,. iPeculation. On the other, thofe
81; .'lais are @fcarce, and very dear: CAPT
not advanced co. ~. r.oroon ~