Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-08

We consume British manufactures to dou-
bic the amount ofwilat Britain G,!;cs from
us; and gUadrUhic the amount Of what She
actually consumes.
We take every thing after it has under
gone all the profitable labor that can b. be-
slowed on it: She receives in return, r;w
materials, the food of her industry.
we send necessaries to her: she sends
superfuities TO u.s.
We admit every thing she pleases to send
us, whether CT her own or alien products
on. She refuses not only our manufactures,
but the articles we wish most to send her;
our wheat and flour, our ish, and our sailed
These constitute our best sta
pies tor expectation, as her manufactures
constitute hers.
1t appeared by an authentic document he
had examined, that of the manufactured
articles imported in 1890, amounting to
5,295 63S dollars, o. cents, we received
from and through CT. Britain, 1896 AGA
dollars IS cents.
During the same year, the manufactures
imported from France, the next great COM
mercial country, and consuming more of our
produce than Great Britain, amounted 10
no more than 1876 dollars and 63 cents.
To give fuller view of our foreign
commerce, he stated the balances with the
several nations of Europe and their dCmini-
ons, as follow:
Spain, 1,67O,797 dollars in favor Of the
u States.
Portugal, 1 ,687, 500 dollars, Ito.
United Netherlands, 79l,1I3 dollars, do.
Sweden, 80, 965 dollars, do,
Denmark, 126,94s dollars against the U.
States
France, 2,6so,s97 dollars in favor of U.
States.
Great Britain, $4,000 dollars against
the ". States.
This enormous balance to Great Britain is
on the exports to her. On her consunlpti-
on, the balance is still greater, amounting
to nine or ten millions: to which again is
to be added, her profit on re exports i'll a
manufactured and raw state.
1t might be said, that an unfavorable ba-
lance was no proof of All unfavorable trade
that the only important balance was the
ultimate one on our aggregate commerce.
That there was much truth in this gen.
eral doctrine, was admitted; at the sane
time 1t was equally certain, that there
were exceptions TO it, some of which were
conceived TO be applicable to the situation
of the y. States.
9ut whether the doctrine were Just or not,
as applicable to the u. States, it was wcil
| known, that the reasoning and practice OF
other countries were govern ed by Il CONTRA
r. doctrine. In all of them, an untavora-
bic balance to be paid in specie, was con-
Sidcred as an evil. Great Britain, in par
tioular, had always studied to prevent it IS
much as she could. What, then, may be
the effect on the policy OF Z nation with which
relations, when it sees the balance of trade
with Us not only 50 much against her, but
all The specie that pays it, flowing immedi-
atciy ir,n the lap OF her greatest rival, is
ret her most iRycterate enemy.
rs 10 the discrimination proposed be-
/ tween nations having, and not having, COM
mcrcial treaties with US, the principle was
embraced by the laws Of the most, if not
all, the states, While the regulation OF trade
was i'm tter hands.
!. has ,he repeated sanction Of votes in
the House Of Representatives, during the
session OF the present government at New
( York
: Ilas been practised by o,hernations, and
/ in tate instance against the u. States.
/ lttends opcocUre beneficial treaties from
those who refuse them, by making them tic
price OF enjoying equality with other natl
ons in our commerce.
+ il tends, as a conCiIiatory preference, to
procure better treaties from those who
have not refused them.
Il was prudent consideration, In dispen-
sing commercial advantages, TO favor rather
those whose friendship and support may be
expected IN case OF necessity, than those
whose disposition wore 2 contrary aspect.
He did not wish 20 enter at present, nor
at all, if unnecessary, into display o5
the unfrieudly features which n.urlcd the
policy Of Great Britain towards the United
States. he should BE content to lay as &c,
at lest for the present, the sulj.C Of the
? Indians, tie AlgerinCs, The spo.iatitns, sc.