Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-11-22
From the Richmond Compiler.

thelr possession, lTa". TdpsF.
From the Richmond Compiler.
TIE nerve which runs through the
commercial world has vibrated to the va
rious touches of foreign intelligence
The first report from Liverpool represen-
ted the rains a. setting in at the harvest,
the crops short, prices high, ard promi,-
ing to be higher from the opening of the
British ports. This was glorious crisis
for speculation. The suspense into which
we we're plunged by the uncertainty OF she
prospects operated most powerfully upon
the commercial nerve. and produced the
deepest sensations. The greatest rage
was manifested for the purchase of -four.
Couriers were sent to scOur the country,
before the news from Liverpool could
reach the seller Expresses came on
from New York with more than post
haste, to speculate upon the UNIV ry.
They were sent from this city upon he
western roads to meet the wagner, and
buy up his barrels of -four by the dozen
ana half dozen. No booty was too small
t. dcquIre--ho prOnt was to be scorned.
Flour rapid y mounted up to "a and dol
lars, and the most idle calculations were
made OF the increase of price.-Some be-
gan to speculate upon s 10 or even more
The truth Is, some of our merchants
bad SO long been inactive, that they glad
~ awaited themselves Of the first opportu-
Eity which presented itself. The com
mercial nerve mad acquired tcnfold sensi-
bility.-Some who had hitherto done lit
tie or nothing, rushed eagerly forward to
profit oy the Irst chance which offered
itse.i-But we are all carried abaek
The scene IS changed as completely as
Those VI atheatre The Orion damped
the ardor Of speculation, The Euphrstes
has brough; it sail lower Ii now appear.
that the rains nave not been SO Dire hing
the INJURY not SO great, and the crops
not 50 snort in England Flour has sunk
there from tea 20 twelve shIlings sterling
III The BARREL. w prospect of the ports
beIns opened. n very slight prospect of
war between Russia and rurkey. The
consequence Is chat -four hs fallen Dat in
thls country. 1t has sunk from about u
IL dollars. Some OF those who bought
from the express spectators, and dashed
throuSh thicS aud thin, will suffer great
iosses-Fhls Is really a subject of great
re- ,eL, be ause among those are many
honorable and worthy merchants, who
xishlr- 10 do somethIn1 for themse! e.
aad TaniAes were anxious to turn an nom
est penny ON the chan, e of the markets.
SOME OF the spectators, who are of
less respectful pretem.lon,, will be equal
y involved liz tAe consequences Of this
Leeule,s splrlt.
We are too apt, indeed, to give way to
tbs rage ior speculation, Richmond has
lost millions Oy It. Some OF the specula.
tiuns IN Hour, and some In tobacco have
involved Us some years back, in serious
losses. This IS one OF the great causes of
the embellishments into which we were
p.unsel Two or three years ago. That in
lots has slain us hundreds This spirit is
the great sin which 0esets the commercial
class. Men wish TO take short Gu to ior-
tune. Tney are anxious to effect by one
lucSly cast In day, what days of labor
would otherwise be necessary to acquire
But we have paid dearly for our enter
prize; aud some OF the proudest columns
IN our commercial edlhce have ia lien pros
trate to the ground For one mau hat
msHes fortune IN this way, there hun
dreds that do it by the Old routes of In
dustry and frugaity. The prizes in the
lottery OF speculation are hie her; but they
are much fewer and more uncertain.
More discretion in our purchases oug hit to
be taught by EXPERIENCE.