Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-04-28


Gle OF rum, the entire introduction of the COLO
nial trade with the British dependencies would
AFFECT only the carrying trade of the United
States under any circumstances; but he should
presently advert 10 the state Of the trade Of
later period, by which il would be seen, that
upon the restoration of general peace, each
nation had aspired TO its own share, and in con-
sequence that OF the United STATES had pro-
portionably diminished. But al this stage of
investigation, il appears from the table fur
nished, that the u. States imported 500 eco
gallons OF rum, exporting only 100000, left TO
be consumed in the United States, say ,0Oo. 900,
OF which 100000 came from the possessions
OF Great Britain 10 which, when we add the
vast quantity made III America from molasSes,
together with the large quantities of ardent
spirits distilled from native productions tive
mind Is hlled with amazement and regret at
the consumption OF this most pernicious article
In the United States. 1t this measure were TO
lac attended with an entire exclusion of this
baneful spirit, the man who duiy appreciates
The morals aud health and character of his
country, would hnd an ample indemnity but
putting considerations of this Kind apart what
would be the result in a commercial point of
view! If cur people will useardent spirits the
bread Stutts now sent TO purchase this article
would immediately find "a market at home, by
being converted into spirit OF less pernici.
Gus KIND so that, IN regard tn this article, it
can produce, were il 10 he entirely shut ont
no serious effect upon our commercial prosper
ity. The next article, viz. MossSes, il will be
Only 6O0,GeO about one twelfth part OF what We
consume; but a large portion of whchis manu-
featured intorum, OF which he had already said
enough, and proving, he hoped, that whatever
deficiency may be produced in that article.
will be national benefit. We see, also, that OF
the article of coffee, the United States import
ed 10000 900 lbs only 100000 of which came
from the British colonies but, by the doCH-
ment so often alluded TO, it is seen, that we ex-
ported 24,000.cO0, leaving to be consumed in
the United States only l6,000,000; hence The
Quantity from the British possessions would
attach itself only to the quantity exported....
OF sugar, we imported 100000 900, and export.
ed Go ,OOO,O0 IL 900 900 OF this came from the
British possessions; but as we had for eApor.
ration GG,000E00, the entire exclusion of that
article from the British possessions, wond act
Only on the quantity TO be exported. Mr.. b.
said he was thus full on this particular branch
of the enquiry, as he had heard an opinion ex-
pressed by some, that possibly our pTOhibitory
system might affect the price of those articles
which oar habits caused as 10 enumeTate if
not among the necessdries, al least among the
comforts OF life on the contrary, the facts re-
ferred to early evlnce that we are entirely
independent OF Great Britain that supplies
far beyond our wants, may be procured else
where; and the only diminniiOn will be in the
export trade; the extent of which, compared
10 the tonnage put out of employment by the
system Of which we complain, is so utterly in
significant as to be undeseryng of notice In
addition, i. viii be sacrifice of sniail por-
bDH Of shipping interest OF one kihU 10 procure
an infinitely greater advantage 10 another, of
winch all may participate.
The table marked y, (that marked - being
Intentionally omitted, as embracing pOTtOmOf
time daring the war; q scIOseS tie great dimi.
hutton of the exports of America since the res
tOratiOn OF peace, when, as stated before each
ndtiOB had been endeavGTiHg, aud had, iD part
succeeded, to enjoy its just proportion OF ship-
ping interest Tie quantity OF rum imported
in 1916. was 100 OOD 2 500 O19 of which y ere
Iu.nDrfpI ole a. Iptp frota fltp d4.t.nt4a,,
cies of Great Britain. SO00US0 gallons Vi no
lasscs, 0DO00 of which are subject 10 the
same remark. 2I,00O,O90 lbs. OF Sofee were
imported 23 900 900 Of which came from other
regions than thc British islands. IS 900 ,O0OIbs
OF sugar were imported, AZ, 800 900 of which are
subject to the same remark. Hence, IT ems
thai, in the year 1916 we Imported from the
possessions Of Great Britain 1905 gallons
rum, 500 O0J eallOns mOiasses, 900, 900 pounds
coffee, and only . $50 900 lbs. sugar and yet
with oar own supplies Of that article, we were
able 10 export, say from 9 TO 10000 900 lbs
5000 900 more than were wanting for home
consumption, il HAT from Great Britain had
been totally excluded. We aisO see, nOtwith-
Standing our Increased population that our
Importation Of ram ~as minus by goo 600 gal
Ions, t'iau Tor any year, on an average, from
l5g2 to 1912, inclusive. Tile deficiency must
have been supplied by splits distilled from
American productions.
Mr.. q feared, however, he wearicd the pa
tlencs Of tie Senate with these details, and
would proceed, therefore, 10 the exports nom
this country 90 tnc dependencies in question.
IL seems, that tifese may be estimated at, say
600 90, aud the question 10 lie discussed is,
what WILDE the iuilnence OF this measure upon
the price Of the articles thus exported. n il
be necessary 10 admit, that Great Britain can
do aud giil 40 without them, then il would be
an VAN a. attempt g. disguise the fact, that the
price or these iticies wCnd diminish, and IN
so tai thc value impaired, and, by consequence,
the agricultural interest injured. But If it
were 20 be revealed from Heaven, that this
y onid be the consequence, sthl he hoped that
were prepared, when lnst re.
gard 10 the interests and to the character Of
tHer country required IL, to make tie sacrifice,
which Tie emergency called Tor. lie would
here lake tie liberty TO stale, that he was him
self tirmer thai lee derived not a cent
from ae, s0urce except What lie dug from the
edrtll, tb.n ii had not bcerhis iOftuile TO amsss
money ~ einoarking Ia any paper speculation
Whatever; he Represented farmers and agTi.