Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-04-19
Thc Commerce of the Pacific.

1
to cursorily glance at the increase of trade in
this quarter. chain Of events has occurred,
during the past few years, which has attracted
the attention of the world to this quarter of the
globe; and the vast expanse of the Pacific, few
years since traversed only by whale ships and an
occasional trader the north est coast will soon
! be whened with the sails of commerce. The
western shore of the American continent, where
few years since, the solitude was unbroken save
by the crack of the red mans rifle or the tramp of
the adventurous trapper, already resounds with
the hum of civilization and the merry sounds of
productive industry.
In the chain OF events which has served to at
tract attention to this portion of the globe, the
first was the seizure of these islands by Lord
George Paulet, aud the subsequent restoration by
Admiral Thomas. Up to that time-ls43-the
trade of the islands limited to one or two ships
which sailed from Boston, and the trade with the
whaling fleet The imports in 1913 amounted 10
S223,365 3s, upon which a revenue of $S,i6S 80
was collected. So rapidly did the trade increase
that in lS47 the imports amounted to $7IOl33 SO,
and the revenue to $4s,sIO 25; while for the cur
theref from will doubtless far exceed that amount.
But it should be born in mind that this great in
crease of importation is not the consequence of in
creased consumption for many of the goods which
have been imported, and paid duties here, even
tually found their way out of the country. The
The actual consumption has, doubtless increased,
but not in proportion to the increase of imports
for large share OF the goods independent of those
shipped to Oregon and California, are for supplies
for whale ships. The export Of The islands is very
limited and the consumption must consequently be
limited. Seventy-fv vessels engaged in trade
arrived and sailed from the islands during lS47.
Many of them, it is true, were small scbooners,
and made several trips during the year. The ar
rivals and departures will far exceed that number
the current year. Since l843 quite trade has
sprung up between these islands and China, Ore
gon, and California.
The second event which occurred to draw pub
lie attention TO the Pacific was the establishment
of the French Protectorate at Tahiti. Although
this event has not directly exered any great in
auence upon commerce, il has, in political sense,
attracted public attention to the Pacific, and WILL
in the end, il the right measures be pursued by
the Government there, exert a wholesome infu-
increased by the influx Of foreigners, while the
products will also be increased.
The settlement of the Oregon boundary ques-
ton and the influx Of settlers may be classed as
the third event, which has already exerted and is
destined to exert, still greater influence upon
the growth of commerce in the Pacific. The ex-
ports OF Oregon, few years since, consisted main
ly of furs and her trade was limited to one or two
vessels annually We have no statistics by
which TO judge of the increase of trade, but it
must be apparent that it has been great. Lumber,
timber, -four, and salmon now exported from
Oregon in large quantities. The occasional ira
der is but of quite feet OF vessels which
now annually visit Columbia river. The ma
tives of the forest are fast sinking away before
onward, and their wgwams are being displaced
by the hut of the hardy pioneer. Oregon is rich
in agricultural resources and the time is not far
distant when her :" dark shores" will be crowded
with stately warehouses her waters be whtened
with the sails of commerce ; her rivers ploughed
by stately steamers and her borders resound with
the songs of an independent and happy people.
The occupation of California by the American
forces may be called the fourth link in the chain
of events TO which have alluded. The trade
of California, previous to this event, was limited
to an occasional hide -drogher or smugsler-her
exports to hides and tallow, with now and then
sprinkliug of specie During the occupation of
the country by the forces of the United States
trade was better, the consumption was increased;
but on account Of no export existing, the prosper
ity of the country was likely to suffer serious
check. Luckily in June last, the gold placera
on the American Fork was discovered, and the
ease with which gold was procured soon afforded
an export more than sufficient for all their wants.
The treaty of peace between Mexico and the Uni |
ted States being ratified, Upper California, gold
and all, became part aud parcel of the great
American Republic.
California has presented an instance of Com
mercial growth unequaled in the annals of the
world. and the discovery Of gold in such abund-
ance is an even, which will exert mighty infiu-