NATIONAL

AND

PARLIAMENTARY NOTICES.

No. II.

NAVIGATION, TRADE, IMPORTS, AND EXPORTS, OF SCOTLAND.

Considerations on the Trade and Commerce

of Great Britain, the Effect of the Warehousing System, &c. also, Tables of the Navigation, Shipping, &c. of Great Britain, for Six Years, ending January,

1808.

[Continued from page 638.]

The article which we submitted, not long ago, to our readers, on the state of the trade, or rather the commerce, of this country, has met with an extremely favourable reception. It has, also, been reprinted in various forms by several of the provincial newspapers; as well in Ireland, as in Great Britain. Some of them have honestly acknowledged the source from whence they derived their information: others, have been silent, and have not so much as mentioned the LITERARY PANORAMA, notwithstanding the most important article of their journal was borrowed from it. Such incivility formerly excited, our indignation; but we now derive some satisfaction from the consideration that the public is instructed, though the source of that instruction be out of sight.

That paper principally stated the increased import and export of England: the commerce of Scotland, however, is every way deserving our attention; and we hope to be able to communicate information equally satisfactory on the commerce of Ireland; as the materials for that purpose have been some time in a state of forwardness.

It must be noticed, that Scotland imports much more in proportion to EngVOL. V. (Lis. Pan. March 1809.]

land, than she exports, of foreign commo→ dities; which is by no means surprising, when we consider the immense quantities of merchandize of all kinds, sent from the ports of London, Bristol, and Liverpool to our islands and settlements abroad. London is, also, the centre of the India trade; and whatever is brought from that country with a view to exportation, adds to the mass of goods sent abroad from England; for which neither Scotland nor Ireland has any equivalent. We incline, therefore, rather to infer from the documents on this subject, the increase of foreign articles consumed in Scotland; and thereby to judge on the inclinations prevailing among the people.

We must own, notwithstanding, that on the article COFFEE our skill is baffled to account for an exportation exceeding the importation, during the years 1800, 1801, and 1802.

1

The quantity imported in 1800 was 9.203 cwt; the export was 13,099 cwt; and if it be thought, as it might be, that the difference was what had remained on hand of the former year, yet we know not how to admit that such difference could influence the relative quantities of the following years. In 1801, the import was 10,145 cwt.: the export was 12,615 cwt. In 1802 the import was 13.058 cwt: the export was 13,812 cwt. We know, from our own experience, that coffee was an article of the breakfast table in Scotland during this period, yet these returns shew no sign of that fact. We must not, however, quit this article without remarking the great increase of the commerce in it; for in 1790 the quantity imported was only 294 cwt; of which were exported 125 cwt. whereas, the latter quantities, we see, amount to thousands of cwts. Undoubtedly, many of the Scottish ports are well situated for a run to the continent; and the way thither is well known to the Scottish mariners.

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HEMP was imported in 1790, to the amount of 41,463 cwt. In 1792 it was 44,877 cwt. In 1799 it was 76,697 cwt. In 1802 it was 71,550 cwt. the exportation being only 868 cwt. In what was this additional quantity employed? Most likely, in weaving wings for vessels to waft the increased commerce of the country over the ocean.

IRON has stood at about 5,000 tons du ring the whole period from 1790 to 1802. GERMAN LINENS, plain, have been exported in much the same quantities as imported; which sufficiently proves that the North Britons are content with their own manufacture. The quantity imported in 1790 was 691 cwt; the export was 455 cwt. In 1791 the import was 911 cwt; the export 819. In 1801 the import was 964 cwt. the export 1,181 cwt. In 1802 the import was 1,825 cwt, the export 1,239 cwt. This demonstrates in crease of commerce; since the article is not kept at home.

Like the southern parts of the island Scotland does not produce increase of food in proportion to its increase of inhabitants, if we may judge by its importation of RICE, which in 1790 was 2,760 cwt; in 1792 it was 554 cwt. but in 1800 was 10,732 cwt; and in 1801 was 20,428 cwt. This extraordinary quantity appears to be an unfavourable symptom: unless we can suppose, that this description of food, had become more favourite among the people.

We confess, that we have seen with regret the quantities of Whiskey drank as ordinary beverage in Scotland; being well convinced that it must be detrimen tal to health. With equal concern we observe, that the importation of BRANDY is raised from 21,000 gallons in 1792 to 34,678 gallous in 1801; and from 25,081 gallons in 1792, to 87,129 gallons i 1802 [no export.] And this, while the import of GENEVA also, has mounted from 26,544 gallons in 1791, and 50,000 gallons in 1792, to 495,168 gallons in 1801, and 180591 gallons in 1802 [little expert,] RUM also, which in 1790 was 266,827 gallons; and in 1791, was 354,220 gallons, in 1801 was 674,553 gallons, and in 1802 was 1,005,657 galIons. There was however some export of this: in 1801 it was 117,714 gallons; and in 1802 it was 403,229. The difference, no doubt, was home consumption.

This does not augur well for morals, whatever it may for trade will it have no effect on the mental and physical constitution of the people?

SUGAR has partaken of the same facilities for continental intercourse, as we remarked in respect to coffee. The import in 1790 was 135,371 cwt. In 1801 it was 324,221 cwt, in 1802 it was 308,693 cwt: the export in 1790 was 54,744 cwt. in 1802 it was 131,730 cwt. This was sugar in its raw state.

We shall mention but one article more, COTTON WOOL: the import of which, in 1790, was 2,867,462lbs: in 1791 it was 3,115,946 lbs: in 1792 it was 3,425,465 lbs: in 1799 it was 4,852,622lbs: in 1800 it was 6,027,049lbs: in 1801 it was 8,210,354lbs. and in 1802 it was 10,580.981lbs. This gradual, steady, and progressive increase deserves notice, for the highest exportation is but 91,470lbs.

in 1802: the remainder therefore, must have been worked up into manufactured goods in the country: and if so, can it be supposed that the workmen have been standing idle, or that the artificers willing to work, and diligent when at work, have been from necessity unemployed?

It may be said, and truly, that the more we import from foreign parts, the more dependent we are upon them: if they do not supply us, we are without resource: if they withhold their bounty, we must intreat their pity. But we have had repeated occasion to insist that commerce is mutual: if A. will not take of B, B. will not take of A; and thus each party is in the same situation as before the relations of amity and intercourse were established between them. We most certainly do pot desire that the sugar islands should be sunk to the bottom of the sea; but, if it were asked, how did the English contrive to set out a breakfast before sugar was imported, we might gravely state their recourse to the jug of brown ale, with a toast in it; and the experiments they tried on the virtues of beef:-Yet, were these English bull dogs, the dread of the wine-drinking French and Spaniards. Let that stand in proof of their valour; and as to their wit, though we dare not controvert the affirmation of the courageous Sir Andrew Aguecheek, that bis wit had been injured by his eating of beef, yet we believe that late generations have

no great reason to boast of the superiority of their wit over those of their forefathers. The witlings of our times would not have passed current for wise men in former ages; and who does not wish for the talents possessed by some of their leaders pro bono publico ?

But, not intending to maintain our independence of foreign parts, as an universal proposition, we nevertheless conceive, that we shall do no harm to the real interests of our country, by stating circumstances that may diminish the anxiety felt by some, on account of our dependence on countries under the power of our political enemies. We have said, that when they winde up their accounts, our enemies will be losers. There is a sense in which (humanity apart) this country may become a great gainer by the consequences of the present commotions, although their object. is professedly to effect her ruin.

The bounty of heaven has bestowed on Britain, a fertile soil, and this is now improved by an Agriculture, never carried on with more spirit; we mean, which never gathered a greater quantity of produce from the same extent of soil. To the same bounty we are indebted for an inexhaustible supply of coal, which enables us to keep our machinery going, in spite of the wishes of our enemies to effect its stoppage. These are natural advantages: our internal intercourse, whether by roads, or by canals, is another happiness perfectly independent of the likes and dislikes of any foreign power whatever. Perhaps the greatest advantage of all, or that which crowns the whole, is, the encircling ocean, by the interven tion of which we are enabled to make whatever improvements we please in our public concerns; without any foreign ambassador's presuming to hint on the part of his master, that we are advancing in comfort, and accommodation, too rapidly for his political interest. And if we inquire, whether those articles, for which we have hitherto resorted to foreign ports, may not be obtained from some one or other of the colonies we have planted-we may perhaps find, that Britannia, with her family, is independent of all the nations of the earth. This is indeed, a truth, which foreign nations do not wish us to believe, and our natural disposition is so good-natured, that we

will not believe it, till they have forced us into the conviction of it, by blows.

It was our design to have taken a more general view of the probable means of supply on which Britain might depend for distant productions, than we find convenient at present; but perceiving the course of opinion as expressed by authority, we cannot prevail on ourselves wholly to forego the present opportunity of submitting a few words on several articles of prime importance.

If we examine accurately the extensive list of our imports, with reference to the inquiry, which of them Britain really cannot do without, we shall find the formidable scroll shrink into a mere scrap: the mountain dwindles into a molehill. The chief indispensables from foreign nations, are-flax, hemp, iron, timber, tar, and tallow. We may add, hides, cotton, dye-woods; also, tea, wine, and brandy.

FLAX is the parent of the great staple article of the North of Ireland,-linen; and the seed necessary for the propagation of this plant, has hitherto been supplied from abroad: originally from Holland; but lately from America. The reason of this we understand is, because the flax intended to be used in manufacture, is pulled before it has completely ripened its seed; at which time it is supposed to be more tender, and capable of being wrought into a finer cloth. Two remarks arise from this: the first is, that if the Irish let a greater part of their crop mature its seed this year, they need require no supply of seed for the year ensuing, or afterwards. And secondly, that the wearing of linen a little coarser than usual, is the worst that need happen. Even against this, palliatives may be resorted to. Flax seed may be obtained from Sicily, from Greece, and from Canada. The quantity imported from the Baltic last ye. r was about 150,000 hogsheads: but a great part of this, though sufficiently good for crushing into oil, is not perfect; and therefore cannot be trusted to for sowing. What Sicily and Greece furnish (Egypt might be included, were it friendly) may be procured at any time of the year; what Canada is intent on sending, nay arrive in the middle of May, or the beginning of June: so that it is uncertain whether it will be in time for the sowing season, We learn, from the result of a

public meeting, held at Armagh, Dec. 27, 1808, that there was no absolute want of flax seed, at that moment, though apprehensions were entertained. Nevertheless, the majority of the meeting was clearly against any public remonstrance on the subject and after discussion, agreed to wait the event.

HEMP is likely to be supplied in abundance in a short time from Ireland, as well as from Canada, where thousands of acres are now allotted to its cultivation. We have elsewhere [compare Panorama, Vol. III. p. 905.] given an account of the nature and properties of the sunn, or EastIndian hemp and it is thought that our dependance on Russia for this article has nearly, if not completely, reached its termination. The very high price, which hemp bears at this moment, operates as a powerful inducement to our national agriculturists. There is no question on the capability of our country to supply any quantities of the very best kind of hemp. The following is part of a public report. "The culture of hemp is rapidly extending in Canada, and there is much reason to hope, that in a few years we shall, through this medium, be rendered independent of the foreign markets.-Several hundred tons were grown during the last year in the neighbourhood of Montreal, Camden, Howard on the Thames, and other parts of Upper Canada; and we hear with great pleasure, that upwards of twenty looms and rope walks were established during that period. The ordinary produce of clean and dressed hemp of the first quality is from 6 to 7 cwt. per acre." The operation of converting British IRON into steel, has been so greatly improved, under the encouragement derived from patents, some of which are of late date, that we have little, very little call for foreign iron. A few of the best articles indeed, in the making of which habit has confirmed the workmen in the use of foreign bar iron, still continue to demand that kind by which they obtained their reputation. We cannot blame this attention; but, we learn from the testimony of practical men, that the ordinary ironmongery never exhibited such good iron as of late; and that for general purposes a decided preference is given to British. Another step in the career of improvement may produce British bar iron superior to the Russian. One word more on this subject: We remember the

Armed Neutrality, and the heart-burnings it caused. That was the first occasion on which our enlightened iron-masters endeavoured to improve their commodity effec tually the trade in Russian iron has been diminishing ever since it is likely that during the present non-intercourse with that country,our improvements may be perfected, and then-when Russia may be disposed again to supply us, the commodity may be in demand, anywhere but in Britain.

TIMBER is unquestionably an Article of great importance: and one which our own island does not produce in sufficient quantity to meet the demand. In fact, the demand arises from so many different quarters, each increasing, that we scarcely can discern any termination of it. A vast mass of foreign timber is employed in building; and while the outskirts of the metropolis are spreading in all directions, the houses being built mostly with foreign timber, the demand is not likely to diminish. We understand, that in the New Town Edinburgh, and its adjacencies, including miles of streets, not a timber employed is of home growth. For this article, then, we must turn our attention abroad. Canada has supplied nearly 50,000 loads of timber in the last year: we may presume it is equal in quality to what we were accustomed to receive from America. Immense quantities may be obtained from Brazil. Perhaps to seek it still further distant, might not be warrantable, the expence of freight considered.

Happily, immense plantations have been made in Britain within a few years, lately passed; so that we may look forward to a more plentiful supply of this article, of our own production.

The following statement shews that we have not been inattentive in our distant possessions to the introduction of woods of the finer kinds.

"The cultivation of MAHOGANY in India has been attended with great success. Two plants (the first known in India) were sent out by the Court of Directors to the Botanic Garden at Calcutta; from these two, upwards of a thousand plants have been reared, and they succeed so well, as to promise in a few years to be a valuable acquisition to the country.-The two original trees were last year nearly four feet in circumference, and several of the others two or three feet."

TAR is made from the roots of trees, as the timber bears too high a price, and is