Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-07-13
From the True amsrican.

v
Erench revolution, broke on, in Europe
,ur commerce took an immediate start
nd its growth for many yeas was as
san;shingly rapid, 1t was the effect OF
4ba indifferent state of foreign nations 9
.,ur neutral situation. NO longer aole 70
10 their own carriers, the commerce o.
Rurope flowed through American cnan-
1els The French by the naval SUPERIOR
~ other enemy were cut otf from all sale
intercourse with their colonies. Inc
t'ade was Immediately taken up BY our
merchants /: sometimes interrupted, but
found generally very profitable. The
anne is true WITH regard to the commerce
ef most of the nations OF Europe and their
colonies.
But the carrying trade was only one
branch Of the extensive commerce which
grew out of the war. The Earopea" ma
fions had been in the habit OF furnishing
their own colonies with the various ar
ticles OF provisions Lumber, &c. which
they needed. Those supplies were now
Furnished from this country, giving EN-
nioyment TO large portion OF tonnage, q
! spring to agricultue Millions, OF men,
ga Europe, who had been employed III the
s.usuifs of agricultu and manufactures
= ere nov drawn from their employment
d the feld-so that instead of adding
III the product OF the ne. essaries OF life.
hey only destroyed them. The natural
was. that tie belligerent
:.ations were obliged to look abroad TO:
supplies, which they had formerly ex
ported.
Nor is it to be omitted that the emigra
tion to this country, of men of wealth.
/ gether with the money put in rapid
circulation by the war, furnished us With
carita equal to the necessity which exist
led for IT'S use
The demand for every article of A
merican prOduce-the activity and profit
III commerce, gave spring to the whole
tuation.-The beneficial influence was
ielt from one extreme to the other. Lands
advanced rapidly in value. Thousands
became suddenly rich by the rise of pro-
aerty-thousands By commerce thou
sands by specuIation-and thousands by
industry. Observe the rapid inc ease o!
exports, Every other branch OF bu n IS
progressed nearly at an equal pace. n
the year 1892. the exports from Phiiadel-
phia were s $4,000 dollars.-ln four
years after, that is in 1896, her exports
amounted to 17,513,000 dollars Such
an amazing increase the world never be
fore witnessed. From this date to the
late war, commerce though interrupted
by the aggression OF France and England
las nevertheless tfourished with great Vi
,-our when unembarrassed by domestic
reeu!ation.-Llke hearty child it has
grown, although in the hands of bad
nurse.
The consequence Of this rapid increase
of trade, and wealth, not only in the
cities, but throughout the country, was
as rapid an increase Of luxury. The
people ran made for fneries. Many al
man in this city q appeal to the ex
pe,ience ofthose who had an opportunit,
to know who had good sense and ca
nacity for business, by making capita
voyage or two, got his head fur ed. They
thought, to use an old fashioned phrase.
fiat" they had Get the world in a string"
built fire hous spread their fiors
with the richest carpets--set up their
calriages--and, as prudent man observ-
ed Yesterday. i" Gis'd themselves out"
Whether the country followed or led in
the train of folly is no matter. but the
disease prevailed like an epidemick, aid
in many piair, happy village--the UNI
breilas--ear-rings AID ,op-knots cost
more than a few years before the whole
clothing of the people had done.
Those fortunes which are made sud
denly and unexpectedly, seldom bring
much happiness with them. Six times
in ten, experience will justify the remark
they render their possessor wretched and
he nlunges from one folly to another I'M
Ill Re whole is expended. There are
doubtless maay exceptions but it re
quires sounder head to bear prosperity
well, then diversity. Property that is
made by the regular course of trade or
industry is always most useful Hence
it is that many societies discountenance
lotteries. But We are running into mat
ter rather fitfora mo al essay.
Gu, Intention was to trace the rise of,
commerce-mention its obvious cause 81
suggest some of its consequences.
The wars in Aurope are now at an end.
The sword is sheathed. The nations rest
from the labour of bIood-of course each
power will pursue its old colonial system.
II 4 = 4 i