Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-07-11
ON THIs ouEsTr oN-w RETHER 1T BE
aDvANTAG FOR FRANCE TO
TAKE Poss EssIoN OF. LouI-
sIhNA?
!" Pys/snfei to tie Frere6 govsysmsnt BY
NJ. LiVingfoa, The Ameriean mini
fer al Paris
4 TRANSLATED BY Mr.. NANcREDE.
M e NJ o z 7 II Z

4 =
THIS question presents itself in two
points OF view First in the relation of
commerce and manufactures : Secondly,
in those Of the positive or relative force of
France.
Colonies do not excite interest tor their
own sake, but oaly as respects the inhu-
enee they may have Oh nation and as
one nan alone is more useful by remain
ing at home, than two by removing at
distance, wise ration does not seek to
colonize, until she has superabundance
Of population, which she cannot usefully
employ in any ether way.
Though very considerable the popula-
ton Of France is very far from having
reached the term which renders colonies
necessary Her sell, climate and local
sits ion give her, as commercial aid
especially as a manufacturing nation,
great advantages ever all the nations Of
Europe. The spirit Of invention, the
taste and industry OF its inhabitants, place
her in the first rank. But those adyan.
tages are wonderfully abridged by the
want OK capitals sufficient to make use Of
them. A rival nation, greatly inferior
in every one of these particulars, has, by
the effect alone of an irnmense capital,
obtained TIE. superiority, not only in
commerce, but also in manufactures
and these advantages, by increasing the
national fortune, furnish il with the means
of maintaining thatvery superiority.
Capitals increase the number Of manu-.
features. by the introduction Of machines
by the regular payment of wokmen, by
the reduction OF the interest of money
and especially, by the possession Of new
markets
None bnt rich individuals can under
take tLose slow anu expensive specua-
tons, which often give. a superiority to a
manufacture. 4 POOR lnelchant cannot
undertake long voyages, returns from
which are slow; they are reserved for the
wealthy; who can give credits long
enough 10 tempt foreign nations to give
his articles the preference over those of
other nations, which expect a quick re-
turn for theirs. 1,he want Of capitals in
France, is such, hat no Manufacturer has
at his command a quantity Of articles
sufficient to answef the demands; aud
consequently no foreigner can be sure to
obtain from his French correspondent
wherewith TO make his returns without
retarding his vessel in port, or at least
without being obliged to take consider
able quantity of articles of inferior quail
ty, picked up IN number Of different
manufactures so that if he commits
any fraud, no one can be charged withlt.
This renders the character of manufac.
ture of very little importance inthe eyes Of
French workmen.
Hence when foreign vessel, especial
" if Owned at great distance, sells her
cargo in France, she is ordered TO take
nothing but wines or brandies, because
they are the only articles which the own
er.is sure to procure in sufficient quanti-
ties, III the fixed time.
In England, on the contrary, he will
find all sorts Of goods, in one hour, from
one manufacture, the reputation of which
would suffer, if the Whole supply were not
of the same quality with the sample
This consideration will eyer induce TO-
reigner-so apply to an English, in prefer.
cnce to French merchant, fol purchase
of goods of the same kind. Hence car.
gees are sold in France, and the proceeds
carried to England, there to be sold for
articles which France might supply, if
her manufactures were rich enough to
answer every demand, in a short time,
without compelling the purchaser to have
recourse to great number Of manufac-
lures.
This inconveniency can only be remev- 4
cd l. IL