Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-10-30
From the Philadelphia rnio..

The partial failure OF the crops IN h,ner'-
"a. and their general failure in Europe lsuP-
posing the account received by the Her
culss not to be exaggerated) will serv" to
test the truth of the doctrines advanced oy
those theorists, who affirn tha' all the pre-
sent troubles of the world arise from, the ex-
cess OF production over consumption. we
shall now see, if. as LOCALLY inferred from
the premises they lay down, the fertility OF
the earth is curse, and dearth. bless.
ing. II the failure IN Europe had occurred
last year. when cur eranariss overho"eo'
and our barns we're filed with the rich fruits
Of the land, it would unquesIonabls have
afforded US most lucrative trade but hap
penins AZ time when our own harvest IS
rather short, the benefits whic will aerue
from IT cannot be general.
We carefully noted the accounts from dit
ferent quarters Of our own country, & came
TO tie conclusion, that the plentifu'ness OF
one district would so far make up tor the
scarcity OF another, that the supply would
be fully equal to such demand as can be
counted upon under ordinary circumstances.
This partial failure, must. nevertheless ag'
sravats public distress. unless, it shall sp'
pear that the land Of the poor debtor only
will be productive, and that of the rich ere.
dtor only withhold its inerease--an event
certainly not 10 be expected, unless, On the
supposition that the order Of providence
should be interrupted 10 compensate the evils
occasioned by the folly Of those who regu-
late the concerns OF society.
On the same principle, under these cir
cumstances, we cannot believe that the tall
lure in Europe will be followed with any
essential benefit TO this country. Those who
have large stocks of bread sufs on hand,
will doubtless secure an addition to their
wealth: but as our whole surplus is no. great
we cannot expect to receive great sums IN
return for it. As the quantity many farmers
have TO sell Ibis year is small though they
NAV obtain high priea for il, they will be
no better of than they were las, year. when
they sod large quantity at low price
No, being sensibly enriched, they will not
be enabled to afford any additional enoou.
ragenen, to tho industry of the towns, while
the inhabitrnts OF the latter, with no better
means to pay. will have to give more tor the
produce of the country. II is not pretend'
ed that the late news will give general SIT.
muIus TO business. Under ordinary ciroum.
stances, rise in the price OF our staple, is
national benefit: under the extraordinary
circumstances of a poor harvest at home. and
a Door harvest abroad, il can be only par
t,al benefit. unless the proportionate search.
iy in Europe should he SO much greater han
in America, as TO enable US tn obtain very
large sum for our small surplus, or to make
il our interest 10 increase that surplus, by
substituting other species oil farinaclous food
for those 10 commonuse.
Speculators can take care OF themselves:
but in this time Of excitement, the farmer
and the regular merchant should be cautious.
accouuts OF the bad state of the crops, afe
very often exaggerated, and it is stated, on
ly as probability, t!S' tie ports Of Great
Britain will he opened for he produce OF the
United States.