Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-02

distinguished statesman the bond which united us 10
Great Britain has been severed. The effects OF the IN
dependence of America upon her trade and her marine
began Immediately 10 display themselves; but 1t was
until the adoption of the Federal Constitution that
that wonderful impulse given to the commerce oil
country which has never had parallel, believe,
in the history of nations Until then the mists OF
doubt and distust hung institutions, and the
fear of political agitation and empests, doubtless re-
pressed the energy Of the prudent merchant and The
enterprising capitalist But soon as that bright con-
steation rosc proved like the sons oil Leda aroin-
ger the mariner of popitious seas and avorns gaes
and every sail spread and every anchor weished,
and every sea whitened with our canvass Since
that PERIOD the rapid advances OF our tonnage our ma
ne our navy population and our wealth, have lar
exceeded the calculations Of the most sangune Suc-
ceeding events contributed yet more to our success
The bloody of Europe which exhausted ner, were
sources of prosperity TO The carrying trade Tell
into our hands and made the fortunes of our merchants
The two Dutch in the 18th century, had done the
same thing for The merchants OF England
| shall not trouble you gentlemen, with statistical
details, but as persuaded our impressions are ne
yer so vivid when deal altogether in generals, ask
leave To lay before you these simple facts The ave-
rage mporlaens from all the world for six years prior
10 the Revolution were only eleven millions. In the
year ls40 they were one hundred millions more! The
average expectations TO all the world for the same SIX
years only eight millions In $40 they were Is
millions In the former period the tonnage was only
,UU u
amounted 10 one million three hundred thousand !.
am unable to give the number of vessels and senmcn
before the Revolution, but they must have been small,
with tonnage Of only II 900 TONS Now, there are
six or seven thousand of vessels in the foreign
trade, aud seventy thousand seamen, besides those
who man our navy and the nnumerable vessels enga-
ged in the cea,ng trade which swarm along our shores
from New Orleans to Passamaquoddy.
From the rapid glance which we have taken at the
history and influence of commerce upon the affairs of
nations, and upon the comforts, the enJoyments and
the civilization of mankind, may at once discern
how false and the views of those, who
would assign TO the merchant inferior position
among the important classes of society; who estimate
at low rate, the degree of intelligence and nforma-
ton, which essential TO his success For my own
part | can conceive of occupation which demand
more accurate, varied and comprehensive knowledge;
which calls for more enlarged and liberal views; which
requires sagaclty and dscernmenl or which puts
in requisi,ion more of those admirable qualities 81. ha-
bits OF business, patient attention, untirng industry,
cool reflection moderation in prosperity, orude in
adversely, mistaken constancy and undertaking integr
ty and honour. Such among the high qualities that
distinguish the accomplished merchant, and which place
him among The most important men in every CON-
munity. Such the who in our legislative
halls should mark out the ofcommecial policy
and be looked up the most valuable advisers in
all that respects trade with foreign nations. But
10 act well their part, they must not be content with
the limited information which too often they possess
Even for their individual operations in their know
ledge must be both accurate and varied they
can succeed. When reflect upon the ll3,000 000
TO be exported, and for which it is the merchant bust
ness 10 find market must be struck once with the
demand which exists for his thorough knowledge of the
wants and necessities of mankind; and when we also
bear in mind that 107 900 900 TO be brought back
from all the countries The world in articles suited TO
the wants Of our people, and consisting of almost
every thing that the memory CT imagination can sug-
resi we must perceive at how laborious, how dl
cult and how hazardous the traffic of the merchant .,
and how vastly important It must be that he should
have stored his mind with commercial knowledge and
trained himself with care TO early habits of sober calc
laon, and deep reflection.
If, however 1t is important 10 the merchant ndividu-
ally that he shall have just and extensive knowledge
OF his business it is scarcely less important to the
community in which he lives. Every disastrous voy-
age that he makes, brings proportonate loss to the
country: while his rich and we-seccted cargoes pour
new capital into existence for the renewed encourage
ment Of every branch Of industry. No man can say
more truly than the merchant, that
..Ile scattcrs plenty DER smiling land
And reads his history III 4 natinn's eyes
Besides, il is vitality important 10 tue interests oil the
State, that the mercantile class should have just and
accurate views Of the commercial pulley OF the nation
Ii will not do to trust these delicate to any
other class persons politicians. In the commercial
treaties to he formed with foreign natons shall take
COUNSEL if We arr wise, rather with those who know
something about the matter than with the husbandman,
the artisan, with the iapycr, who unlortn-
natey in our practice too frequently, account Of
his talent for debate, looked upon only oracle in
the aiairs Of the nation. Elsewhere believe II is
otherwise; and though in the parliament of Great Bril-
tain the merchants may not be most conspicuous IN de-
bate yet there is always in that body weight OF mer-
camille ability which receives the greatest consideration
in deciding upon the important concerns OF the COM
merce Of the nation. Let the great body Of the
HINT thpn
knowledge, and particularly with that information
which gcrmane 10 their pursuits, and besides the am
pie reward for their abors afforded by their traffic, they
will enjoy the gratifying consciousness that they are
promoting the prosperity Of their country, and are con-
ribung to exat it 10 the first rank among the nations
Of the earth.
In the present aspect of the concerns of the CON-
mercal world, it has seemed to me that there was a
greater demand than for the most profound and
extensive knowledge among mercantile men, OF the
operations Of money and Of commerce. We certainly
have fallen upon times Of no little difficulty, and It
is equally certain that embarrassments are III no
small degree connected with the affairs of trade
The expansion Of the banking system, and the al
most unlimited extension oil credit, have brough about
state Of things novel and unprecedented, as II IS
certainly embarrassing and distressing. AT such CRIT
sis ought naturally TO turn TO the mercantile class Tor
instruction; should expect from their sagac'ty and
experience probe this serious disease OF the body pc.
lite; to discover its causes and apply The remedy But
to fulfil this important duty they must bring to the SUD-
ect an adequate acquaintance with political economy
and Il thorough knowledge Of the operations of banks
and currency. They must not only be familiar with
their own circumscrbcd operations, but they should be
well informed Of the general result OF our foreign COM
merce. They should take heed themselves, and warn
Others when their sagacily shall discern the symptoms
Of overading, which must result, I'm the present
state Of The monetary WORLDLY in embarrassment and DIS
tress. Above ALL in the administration oil those pow
erul machines which are now scattered the land,
and which govern the ebb and flow Of the medium OF
exchange, good sense and just views OF the laws OF
trade will forbid them TO open too wide the doors OF Gre
dit thereby converting into curse, what IS one OF the
greatest blessings of society. rhe legitimate province
Of credit is TO facilitate and dfuse the of capital
and not to create it. 1t has done wonders for tins
country; has promoted public and private prosperity
built cities cleared wdernesses, and bound the reno
parts of the continent together by chains OF iron
and gold These are wonders, but not miracles; their
effects have been produced, not without cause but
trust and confidence are no, gold and silver. They
command capital but they do not create It. merchant