Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-07-11

pence OF manufactures, or Oy using spS
CAPITALS of the nation in distant countries.
It's beyond doubs, that capitals open
new channels for nothing is more natu-
raj for merchants whose capital is ssaali,
than to content themselves with acting
the part Of brokers or rammission merchants
to those who can supply, them withgoods
on credit; and for this very reason, In
gland lost nothing by the independence OF
America. Her immense capitals have
created monied dependence, which, II
commercial relation, replaced the supre-
macy she had lost III the government -
The increase of capi1alin America frees it
in some degree from that dependency, and
by furnishing her with the means OF ex-
tending her commetce, and even to Offer
capitals to other nations, which know
how to calculate the value of the mar
kets which she offers to manufactures and
to the luxury Of Europe.
1t will be readily granted, that colonies
beyond the seas add nothing to the force
of nation; these are, on the contrary,
weak points, which are guarded at a very
great expence, both in men and money;
especially if they be in hos and unhealthy
Climates
The question, therefore, is reduced to
this Has France a saperfaity ofqsa and
mouey gv<Qf euongb 10 jasfity TIE settfs1g
sfa neqo edloay
Those which France already possesses
in the West Indies and at Cayenne, are
more than sufficient for her wants, and
even the wants of all Europe, if they
were cultivated so as to produce all they
are capable of. But how are they to be
cultivated Experience has proved that
the inhabitants Of hot climates never
work from waut: Force alone Can supply
| the two great spurs to labonr in northern
climates, hunger and cold, which nature
has placed in those severe climates. Hence
slavery alone can fertilize those colonies,
and slaves cannot be procured but al
| great expence.
The Spanish part Of Hispaniola was al
| most uncultivated for want ct slaves. 1t
is now possessed by France; and, loren
| der it Of advantage, 1t will be necessary to
| lay out immense capitals in slaves, IN build
lngs, and in improvements Of unoultiVated
! lands. Others will be necessary TO make
up for the losses of the French part OF that,
not to mention the other islands. Where
are those capitals to be found ? Men who
travel into distant and unhealthy climates
| are seldom wealthy. Those riches must
therefore be found in France, it can only
be, to certain degree, at the eSpence OF
internal manufactures. 1t may, however,
appear advantageous, in a national point
of view, to encourage the use OF the riches
of France for that Object; considering the
extreme fertility of the F,ench West
! Indies, and their present situation OF cui-
| ture, those funds will soon yield profit.
But as long as money viii command SO
high an interest; so long as the interior OF
| the republic shall offer momed men a
| source OF speculations, and property shall
| lie in SO few hands, it will be difficult TO
| induce the majority Of them to dlspossess
themselves Of this capital to send 1t at a
distance, and run the risk of the int
| gritty Of their agents, and all those whom
recent examples have taught them to
dread.
| Foreign coin was formerly introduced
| into France thro' the United Provinces /;
but the present stare of the Batavlan CO.
lonies, and the losses they have sustained
blythe war, leave butlittle hope, thar much
may be used i'll the restoring Of the French
colonies.
| The United States pofeis comfortable
| capitals in money, and productions necei-
fairy TO the reforstion of the iAands. No
great credit, in money, will probably be
given to the planters; but with luitahle