to another

appear

lower sum, for which the article was purchased nor would it be proper, to impose on the exporter, from the country selling. If the navigator and the the burden of returning proofs of the sales or value merchant both belong to the country which sells of his exports in a foreign country. Being unable the article, the country buying pays to the country to ascertain, by any suitable means, the foreign vaselling the higher value of the article, including lue of our exports, we are in effect, obliged to freight and mercantile profit. When the merchant adopt and state their domestic value. And as we and the navigator both belong to some third coun- take the value which the exports bear here, in the try, the country buying pays the additional value to country from which they are sent, we should also that third country. And where the merchant and state the imports, according to the value which they the navigator are of different countries, the mer- bear as exports, in the countries from which they cantile profit is paid to one country and the freight come. If the rule for the valuation of the imports, It is, therefore, always certain, that should be their value here, and the rule for the va the country buying pays to the country selling, the luation of the exports, should be their value here, sum paid for the article as an export, or the lower the results of rules so different, would be very exvalue which it bears at the place and time of expor- travagant, in their relation to each other. The tation. It is not certain, from any valuation of the higher value of the imports, would stand opposed article, that the country buying pays to the country to the lower value of the exports; the imports selling more than that lower value. The additional would appear, with the additions of freights and value is variously paid, according to the national mercantile profits, while the exports would a characters of merchants and navigators; and these without such additions; the imports would be greatfacts cannot be shown by any valuation of the arti- ly swelled, or the exports greatly reduced in their cle. The principle of valuation must be an uniform relation to each other; and no just comparison berule. If such a rule cannot exhibit the sums actually tween the values of the exports and the imports, received and paid by the nation for exports and could be made. Such would be the consequence imports, it should exhibit those sums as nearly as of adopting the value of the imports here, as the ay be practicable. The first, or lower value of rule for their valuation; unless the exports were exports and imports, are sums certainly received also stated according to their value as imports, in and paid; and those sums may be exhibited by va- the foreign countries to which they are sent. But, luations. If the higher values are stated, they will as we cannot determine the foreign value of the comprehend not only the lower values which are exports, we must state them at their value here. uniformly paid by the nation buying, and received And this reason alone renders it necessary, to state by the nation selling, but also the additional values the imports, at the lower value which they bear in which are variously participated, as well between the countries from which they come. the nation selling and the nation buying, as among It is accordingly conceived, that all the imports other nations. The lower values and the additional and all the exports, should be valued at the prices values will then appear undistinguished, in the paid for them, or their real values at the times and gross amount of the higher values; and the valua- places of exportation, in the countries from which tions will not determine, how much has been re- they are respectively sent. This principle is rẻ. ceived and paid, either on account of the lower commended by its intrinsic propriety, as that which values, or on account of the additional values. It affords greater certainty than any other; by the is, therefore, proper that the valuations should ex-necessity which allows no other rule applicable, press those sums which are uniformly and certainly with like effect to both exports and imports; and received and paid by the nation for exports and im- by the consideration, that this rule is already estabports; and that the additional values which are va-lished for the valuation of the exports. Piously and unequally received and paid, among Returning to the statements of imports, it is seen, different nations, should not be included in the va-that the only part of the imports which now receives luations. an official valuation, is valued upon a principle, which is both erroneous in itself, and different from that by which the exports are valued.

2. The exports and the imports should both be valued by the same rule. If the exports are valued by one rule, and the imports by another, their values can not be compared with each other; an exaggeration of one, or a depression of the other must occur, in the relation between them; and the uncertainty arising from this cause, must defeat the utility of statistical accounts of values. The value of an imported article in the country from which it comes, and the value of the same article here, are both facts, which may be ascertained; and either of these facts may be taken, as the value to be given to the article in statistical accounts. But, though we can ascertain the values which our imports bear, either here or in the countries from which they come, we cannot ascertain the values of our exports in the foreign countries to which they are sent. The foreign cost of the imports, is a fact which precedes the importation; and, having the imports under the control of our own laws and officers, we may ascertain that preceding fact. But, the additional value of the exports in foreign countries, beyond their value here, is not within our reach. It is a fact which occurs after the exports are no longer subject to our control. We cannot institute legal proceedings in a foreign country, to ascertain the value of our exports there;

What has been the amount of the imports of the United States, in the several years since the commencement of the present government in 1789? This inquiry cannot be answered. It is not answered by the official statements of imports. It cannot be answered by any official document. In the absence of authentic information, every person is left to compute the amount for himself, from such materials as he may possess, and according to such principles of valuation as he may adopt. Estimates of the amount, may undoubtedly be made; and, when formed with care and judgment, they may be probable approximations to truth. Estitimates of the value of the imports of some of the last thirty years, have been made and laid before congress, by officers of the government. These estimates are official, as proceeding from public officers; and they are entitled to high respect. They were made by men of eminent talents and great knowledge, who were able to form and give just views concerning the subject of their estimates. Still, they are mere estimates; and, to a great extent, estimates instead of ascertained facts. Other estimates of the imports of certain years, have been made by other individuals. In the commencement

of this report, the imports of seven several years, The solution of these differences, is found in the are stated, according to estimates of their value. different methods of valuing the exports and the These valuations are introduced here, because they imports. The exports are valued at their cost have been considered as some of the most correct here, as exports; and, consequently, they do not estimates of our imports which have been offered include the sums which we have received for them, to the public. They were formed with great labor beyond that cost: The imports are not valued and care; and they are, undoubtedly, accurate re- upon the like principle. They are valued at their sults from the materials used, and the principles of foreign cost, together with all the accumulations calculation employed in the process. How far they which are produced by the addition of one fifth afford a just statement of the value of the imports and one tenth, to the foreign cost of a part of the of these years, will be seen, when the materials imports, and by the addition of freights, mercantile and principles of calculation, upon which they are profits, and our own duties, to another part of the founded, are understood. The estimates for these imports. According to this method of valuing the seven years, do not include the imports free from imports, they will always appear to be greater than duty; and thus, a part, equal to about a twentieth the exports, whether they are in truth, greater or of all the imports, is omitted. The imports subject less. Yet these are some of the best valuations of to ad valorem duties, were here valued, as they our imports, which are now extant; and this is the are valued in the official statements, with ad- method, in which these valuations were made. ditions of ten and twenty per centum to their fo In regard to most of the last thirty years, it does reign cost. In respect to the imports subject to not appear that any estimate of the amount of the specific duties, as their value is not officially ascer-imports, has been made. tained, it was necessary that the author of these esThe value of the imports is, therefore, unknown. timates, should himself, assess the values of these We are without any official account of their amount; articles. A vast mass of merchandise of various and are destitute of satisfactory information upon kinds, brought from all quarters of the world, in that point. It is, consequently, impossible to make seven different years, was to receive valuations. any just comparison between our exports and our The only practicable course was taken. The au-imports. The correctness of every such comparithor of these estimates, collected the current prices son depends upon values; and no just comparision of the varions articles, as those prices existed in between exports and imports can be made, unless some of the principal ports of the United States, the values of both are ascertained as facts, and in the different years of these importations. Tak-upon the same principle, in both cases. Hence, ing those prices as the values, he computed the all those statements now before the public, which total value of the imports of each article, in each represent, that our imports have exceeded our exyear. In this manner, the values of the imports ports by a certain sum; or, that our exports have paying specific duties, were assessed. The esti-exceeded our imports by any particular amount, in mated values of the various articles, at different any of the last thirty years, are exceedingly uncer times and places, are not stated; and as the estimated tain and delusive. In respect to most of those thirty amount only is given, no means of deciding how far years, it must always remain uncertain, whether that amount may be correct, are afforded. If any the exports or the imports, were greater; and, in different estimate of the value of these imports respect to the whole period, the amount of any exshould be presented, in the same way, it would be cess which may have existed, on either side, in any uncertain, which estimate is more correct than the year, must remain unknown. For the same reaother. Hence, the credit due to all estimates which sons, the balances of our trade with particular have been made, of the value of this class of im- countries, are unknown. ports, must depend upon the confidence reposed The imports of the last year, are not yet stated. in the author of the estimates; who can only pre- They probably amounted to one hundred millions sent such information as he may possess, and such of dollars. Of that sum, five millions may have probabilities as his own judgment may lead him to been articles free from duty; forty-five millions, adopt. These estimates comprehend only the im- articles subject to specific duties; and fifty millions, ports subject to duty. They give the imports sub- articles subject to ad valorem duties. These project to ad valorem duties, at their foreign cost, with portions of the three classes of imports may not additions of ten and twenty per centum. They be exact; but they must be nearly correct; and give the value of the imports subject to specific du- they are offered merely to illustrate. When the ties, as that value was estimated to have been in the imports of the last year shall be stated in the preUnited States, after importation. That value, of sent forms, the result from the facts supposed, will course, included freights, mercantile profits, and be, that an amount of five millions, will not appear our own duties upon these articles. When the im-in any manner whatever; an amount of forty-five ports, thus valued, are placed in opposition to the exports of the same seven years, the contrast is remarkable. The imports appear to exceed the exports by great sums, in each of the seven years. Upon the whole period of seven years, the imports appear to exceed the exports, by 99,493,295 dollars; and the average of this sum, for each year, is The navigation employed in the foreign trade of 14,213,327 dollars. And yet, from the general the United States, is a subject of great national state of our foreign trade, during these seven years, concern. So far as that navigation is ours, it is to from the first of October, 1794, to the 30th of Sep- us, a source of riches and power. So far as it betember, 1801, and from every source of informa- longs to other nations, its benefits are theirs. Nation to which we can look, excepting only the pub-vigation is, indeed, both wealth and power. It is lic statements in which the facts should be found, important as wealth; but as power, it is indispenthere can hardly be any doubt, that the exports ex-sable to nations which desire to assert their rights, ceeded the imports, in every one of those years. (To be concluded in the next number.)

millions, will be stated by kinds and quantities, without any valuation; and an amount of fifty mil lions, will be stated by valuations made upon an erroneous principle, without a designation of the kind, quantity, or value, of any particular article.

NAVIGATION.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, AT THE FRANKLIN PRESS, WATER-STREET, EAST OF SOUTH-STREET.'

NEW SERIES. NO. 11-VOL. VII.] BALTIMORE, NOV. 11, 1820. [No. 11-VOL. XIX. WHOLE NO. 479

THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY H. XILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

To prevent a break in the report concluded in this sheet, the miscellaneous matter is thrown back to page 167.

rives from a foreign port, When the same vessel arrives twice or thrice in the same year, the tonnage of that vessel is repeated twice or thrice in the total amount of tonnage arriving stated for that year. (Report on Commerce-concluded.) The tonnage employed in trade with the West Inor display their strength on the ocean. The em- dies, appears in the tonnage arriving three, and freployment of shipping and seamen, is a branch of quently four times in the same year. The tonnage national industry so peculiar in its character, and so engaged in trade with Europe, enters into the tonimportant in its consequences, that it is worthy to nage arriving generally twice and sometimes thrice be known with all possible distinctness, even if the in a year. The tonnage employed in our trade with exports and imports were not stated. Navigation the countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope, is must, therefore, be traced distinctly from exports generally included in the tonnage arriving once in and imparts. The employment of shipping in foreign trade may be ascertained and shown by a very convenient method. The national characters of the vessels employed, their tonnage, their departures for foreign countries, and their arrivals from foreign countries, may be all easily ascertained. These particular facts, when combined, show sufficiently the actual state of the navigation employed in foreign trade, and its division among different nations. They do not express the value of navigation in sums of money; but they show the several proportions of all the navigations employed, which are held by each nation whose vessels participate in the trade. The whole tonnage employed, and the several proportions of the whole, which belong to different nations, afford a sufficient knowledge of the subject for public purposes.

each year. In some cases the tonnage does not appear in the statements of tonnage arriving until the first, second, or third year succeeding the departures of the vessels from the United States. These statements, therefore, show the amount of tonnage upon which duties are levied; and they comprehend, in most cases, the tonnage of the same vessel more than once in the same year.

Such is at present our official information con-, cerning the employment of navigation in our foreign trade. This information is considerable and impor tant; but it does not present all the facts which are sufficiently important to be known.

cluded in these statements more than once in each year, as the same vessel arrives more than once in the same year. The total amount of tonnage registered, and the total amount of registered tonnage arriving, upon which duties are paid, are the facts which are now stated. Neither of these facts shows how much of our tonnage is really employed in foreign commerce at any time.

The true amount of our tonnage, actually em. ployed in foreign trade, is not exhibited by either of the statements which have been mentioned. It is not exhibited by the statements of registered We have annual statements of the tonnage of the tonnage, not only because the registered tonnage United States. These statements exhibit the amount may be unemployed, but also because much of that of all the tonnage held by our own citizens. The tonnage is constantly employed in the coasting principal division of this tonnage is into that which trade. It is not exhibited by the statements of reis authorised by law to be employed in foreign|gistered tonnage arriving from foreign ports, betrade, and that which is authorised to be employed cause, in most cases, the registered tonnage is inin the coasting trade and fisheries. The respective amounts of both kinds of tonnage are stated. The registered tonnage is that which may be legal. ly employed in foreign trade. But these statements do not show how the registered tonnage is really employed. Coasting vessels are not allowed to engage in foreign trade; but registered vessels are entitled to engage not only in foreign trade, but also in the coasting trade. A very considerable We have the amount of our own tonnage arriving, part of our registered tonnage is actually employed and the amount of our foreign tonnage arriving, in the coasting trade; but how much of it is so em- which are considered as the tonnage employed in ployed is not stated by the treasury. These state-introducing the imports. But we have no statements afford no information of the actual pursuits of ment of the amount or national character of the our registered vessels, or that they are employed at all. From this source, therefore, we learn the amount of our tonnage which has the legal character requisite for engaging either in the coasting trade or in foreign commerce; but we do not learn how much of this tonnage is employed either in the coasting trade or in foreign commerce.

We have also annual statements of the tonnage of all vessels arriving in the United States from foreign ports. These statements show the amount of tonnage of our own vessels arriving,and the amount of tonnage of foreign vessels arriving in each year. This information has been usually communicated to congres in statements, annexed to the statements of the customs. The tonnage arriving is ascertained for the purpose of levying the duties imposed on the tonnage of all vessels entering the United States from foreign ports. Those duties are charged upon the whole tonnage of the vessel, as often as it arVOL. XIX.11.

tonnage departing, which is considered as that em. ployed in taking away the exports.

In the absence of any account of vessels departing, this defect seems to have been considered as supplied by the accounts of vessels arriving. Every voyage of importation has been supposed to imply a corresponding voyage of exportation; and every arrival to indicate a corresponding departure. The same vessels are, in general, employed both in importation and exportation. As we have the tonnage of all vessels which enter the United States from other countries, the amount of that tonnage has been considered as the amount of the tonnage of all vessels which leave the United States for other countries: and as the amount of tonnage arriving, is divided in the statements into the amount of our own tonnage and the amount of foreign tonnage, it has been supposed that the tonnage of our own vessels and the tonnage of foreign vessels bear the

same proportion to each other in the case of departures as in the case of arrivals. The tonnage departing is thus deduced from the tonnage arriv. ing; and the conclusion is, that they are both of the same amount. In pursuance of this conclusion, the tonnage arriving has been described in many state-have, therefore, no account, in these statements, of ments, which are before the public, as the amount of our own tonnage and of foreign tonnage, em ployed in our foreign trade; an expression which comprehends exportations and departures as well as importations and arrivals.

they have left the United States and return from a foreign port. Much of our tonnage departing returns in the same year: but a considerable part of it does not return until the first, second, or third year succeeding the departures of the vessels. We that part of our tonnage departing which never returns; and of that which returns, a considerable portion does not appear in the tonnage arriving until some year subsequent to its departure. When our navigation employed in foreign trade is in a course of rapid increase, as it has generally been since 1789, the fact would first appear in the tonnage departing, if that tonnage were known. The foreign tonnage appears in these statements in the year in which it arrives. If the tonnage departing were stated, much of the foreign tonnage would appear as departing in the year subsequent to its arrival.

The supposition that the tonnage departing and the tonnage arriving are of the same amount, may be, in general, nearly correct, when it is applied to a considerable period of time. But it is by no means true, that the tonnage departing and the tonnage arriving, during any short period, are equal to each other. In such periods as six months or a year, there may be a great difference between the tonnage departing and that which ar The tonnage necessary for the conveyance of rives during the same period. The tonnage engaged our exports, is far greater than that which is neces. in foreign trade varies greatly in amount from time sary for the conveyance of our imports A great to time. The proportion of our own tonnage to portion of our imports consists of articles of small foreign tonnage, also varies greatly from one time bulk. Much the greater part of our exports of our to another. As commerce fluctuates, so fluctuates own production, are articles of great bulk. Our the navigation which it employs. When the imports foreign trade, therefore, employs, not only so much are much increased at any particular time, a quan. tonnage as is requisite to introduce our imports, but tity of tonnage may arrive greater than that which also the much greater quantity of tonnage which departs. When the exports increase, without a like is requisite for the transportation of our exports. increase of the imports, a quantity of tonnage de- If we ask how much tonnage is necessary for the parts greater than that which arrives. When we transportation of our exports, the enquiry cannot engage in a war, which interrupts the ordinary pur-be answered with any certainty. The quantity of suits of our navigation and commerce, the differ-tonnage actually employed in taking away our exence between the tonnage arriving and the tonnage ports, in any particular year, has never been as departing may, in the first year of the war, be very certained. It is still a problem how much tonnage great. In the first year of peace succeeding such has been actually employed at any time in the exa war, the tonnage departing may be much greater than the tonnage arriving. When wars between other countries open to our navigation new scenes of employment, much of our tonnage which is abroad may not return for a long time, or much of it which is at home may depart; and the tonnage arriving, may, for some time, be much less than the tonnage departing. When such wars cease, our tonnage arriving may, for some time, much exceed our tonnage departing. When new regulations, affecting commerce and navigation, are established, they may, for some time, produce a great disparity between the tonnage arriving and the tonnage departing; or, they may, for some time, produce a proportion between our own tonnage and foreign tonnage very different in the case of vessels arriv. ing, from the proportion which may exist in the case of vessels departing. These inequalities, by whatever causes they may be produced, are, indeed, not of long duration; and the general equilibrium between the tonnage arriving and the tonnage departing, is, in the sequel, restored. But when such For these reasons it is proposed to ascertain and disparities between the tonnage arriving and the state the tonnage and national characters of all tonnage departing occur, they should be known vessels departing from the United States for foreign without delay; since they always denote the opera-countries. When we have the tonnage and national tion of some new cause which must deserve atten- characters of vessels departing, as well as of those tion. The tonnage arriving is stated for each year; arriving, we shall possess the amount of all tonnage and, without doubt, the tonnage departing during a year, is frequently much more and frequently much less than the tonnage arriving during the same year. The proportion between our own ton nage and foreign tonnage, is often very different in the case of vessels departing, from the proportion which appears between the two kinds of tonnage, during the same year, in the case of vessels arriving.

Our own vess is engaged in foreign trade, are not comprehended in the tonnage arriving, until

portation of our own products, or how much tonnage is now necessary for that purpose In the present state of our information, this question can be answered only by estimates. The conveyance of ourown bulky products to other countries, is a most important part of our foreign trade, in respect to navigation. A great quantity of tonnage and great numbers of seamen are employed in this service. The freights received upon these exports are very great, both in reference to the value of the articles exported and in absolute amount. We know, in general, that much the largest share of the naviga. tion employed in conveying our exports to other countries, is our own; but we do not know, either the whole amount of the navigation so employed, or the actual partition of that navigation between ourselves and other nations. It is highly important that we should know, with certainty, the amount of the navigation employed in taking away our ex ports, and the proportions of the amount which are held by ourselves and by other nations.

employed in our foreign trade, and the amount of our own tonnage employed in foreign trade, so far as they can be conveniently presented by annual statements, and as nearly as will be useful for ordinary purposes. We can then compare the tonnage arriving and the tonnage de parting with each other and we can see the actual share of navigation which we possess, and that which foreigners enjoy, in the transportation of both our exports and our imports We can then observe the increase or decline of the tonnage employed, either in exportation or impor

tation, and how far such changes may be favorable to ourselves or to foreigners; and we shall be able to trace fluctuations in the employment of naviga. tion as they occur in each year.

The statements of tonnage arriving, distinguish it merely into that of the United States, and that which is foreign, or not of the States. The amount of each of the two kinds of tonnage is stated. We, therefore, learn from these statements nothing more than the amount of all tonnage arriving, and the respective parts of the amount which belong to the United States, on the one side, and to the rest of the world, on the other. These statements do not show how much tonnage is employed in any parti. cular branch of our foreign trade, as, for example, the trade with France; they do not show how much of the tonnage employed in any branch of trade, as that with France, is our own, or how much is foreign; and they do not show to what foreign nation any part of the foreign tonnage belongs. We do not learn from these statements either the amount of our own tonnage engaged in commerce with any nation or country, or the amount of British tonnage, or that of any other foreign nation which enters or leaves our ports.

the custom houses, and at the treasury, as tonnage employed in the trade with the countries trom which the vessels arrive with cargoes; and nothing appears respecting the tonnage or employment of the same vessels, in their outward voyages to other countries. When the tonnage departing, and the countries for which it departs, shall be ascertained, and the tonnage arriving, and the countries from which it arrives, the tonnage employed in our trade with each foreign country will appear.

Our trade with China is carried on in our own vessels, but the amount of tonnage employed in that trade is unknown.

Our trade with most parts of the world is carried on partly in our own vessels and partly in foreign vessels; but we know not either the whole amount of tonnage employed in our trade with any particular country, or what part of the amount is our own, and what part is foreign. In all those branches of our foreign commerce, in which the conveyance of cur exports or imports takes place, partly in our own vessels and partly in foreign vessels, it is of great importance that we should know how much of our own navigation and how much foreign navigation are employed in the transportation. The cases in which the navigation is divided between ourselves and foreigners, embrace far the greater part of all our foreign commerce. It would, at all times, be useful to know the true share of navigation which we enjoy in trade with particular countries. Yet this knowledge was, perhaps, less important while our system of discriminating duties was applied equally to all foreign countries. That system is now relaxed. We have relinquished it, in respect

The returns of the collectors to the treasury, state the tonnage of every vessel arriving from foreign port, and the country from which the ves. sel comes, and they also specify the national characters of the different foreign vessels arriving. The materials for stating how much of the tonnage arriving from any particular country is our own, and how much of it is foreign, are, therefore, already provided. Some statements of these facts, in cer tain branches of trade, have been laid before conto the British dominions in Europe, the Nethergress, upon particular occasions; but the annual statements show nothing concerning the tonnage arriving from any particular country.

lands, Sweden, Prussia, Hamburgh, and Bremen. The vessels of those countries are now admitted into our ports upon the same terms as our own ves. When the particular country from which ton- sels. We should know how much of our tonnage nage arrives is stated, that fact indicates, in some is now employed in trade with those countries, redegree, that the same tonnage, when it departs, respectively; and how much of their tonnage now turns to the country from which it came; because passes through four ports. These facts are not such is the most general course of foreign trade. known. Without them we cannot estimate the But this is never a necessary inference; and in a mul effects of the present system of equal duties betitude of cases, the vessel does not depart directly tween ourselves and those countries, nor can we for the foreign country from which it came. While compare the effects of this system with the effects our trade with the British West Indies was carried of the system of discriminating duties. The exon in British vessels, much British tonnage arriving periment of discriminating duties, operating equalfrom Great Britain departed hence for the British |ly upon all foreign countries, has been made; and West Indies. This tonnage appeared as tonnage with great effect, in favor of our own navigation. employed in our trade with Great Britain. It was We are now in a course of opposite experiments. truly so employed in the voyages of importation, We have relinquished our discriminating duties in but in the voyages of exportation, it was employed respect to Great Britain and certain other counin trade with the West Indies. Yet this tonnage tries, which concede to us advantages supposed to never entered into any statement of tonnage em-be equivalent, while we retain those duties in reployed in our trade with the West Indies. When spect to all other foreign countries. The effects one of our own ships exports a cargo to Spain, it of both measures fall directly upon navigation. It may, in return, import a cargo from England. Its is in the actual state of navigation, as it may exist tonnage now appears only as so much tonnage engaged in trade with England. The same ship may, after its arrival from England, be sent to Russia; and there is no account of this tonnage departing. If the same ship should return directly from Russia, its tonnage will appear in the tonnage employed in trade with Russia. But if the ship should proceed from Russia to Holland, and should enter here from Holland, its tonnage will appear as engaged in trade with Holland, and there will be no account of this tonnage as engaged in trade with Russia. The pracfice is to enter the vessel as arriving from the foreign port from which the imported cargo is brought. Much of our own tonnage which departs for particular countries, returns with cargoes from other countries. All this tonnage now appears at

from time to time, and there only, that the effects of these different measures can be traced and seen. The experiment of open and common navigation, unfettered by preference or restriction, be tween some of the principal navigating countries of the world, is an interesting spectacle. To us, as one of the parties to this experiment, and possess. ing, as we do, a great navigation and ample resources for its extension, it is a subject of peculiar concern. It is, therefore, specially important that we should possess the true state of navigation, as it may exist between ourselves and those countries with which commerce is now equally open to the navigation of both parties.

When the tonnage of all shipping employed in our trade with particular countries shall be stated,