CHAP, v.] WEST INDIES. 247 



puted in the custom-house books, appears to have 

 been - ... ,.147,675 2 3 



The medium of our imports 

 from Jamaica, in the same year, is, ,,.539,499 1 8 34. 



So that the annual excess of 

 our imports, in that period, is no 

 less than ... ,.391,824 15 11.L 



" But it must not be imagined, that this excess is 

 a debt upon Great Britain to the island of Jamaica; a 

 part of it must be placed to the account of negroes, 

 and other goods, sent to the Spanish West Indies, 

 the produce of which is returned to England by way 

 of Jamaica; another part to the debt due to our Afri- 

 can traders from the people of Jamaica, for the negroes 

 which are purchased and remain there for the service 

 of the island; a third proportion must be placed to 

 the account of our northern colonies on the continent 

 of America, who discharge part of their balance with 

 Great Britain by consignments from Jamaica, arising 

 from the provisions and lumber with which they sup- 

 ply that island; the remaining part of the excess in 

 our importations from this colony, is a profit made 

 upon our trade, whether immediately from Great 

 Britain, or by way of Africa; and lastly, it is a con- 

 sideration of great importance in the general trade of 

 Great Britain, that part of the sugar, and other mer- 

 chandize which we bring from Jamaica, is re-export- 

 ed from hence, and helps to make good our balance 

 in trade with other countries in Europe." 



The custom house prices of goods imported, are considerably Jes* 

 than the real or mercantile prices perhaps, in general, about one-third. 



