•334 On the Maritime Commerce of Bengal, 



It is curious to observe the various modes bv which com- 

 merce is pursacd, and the expedients which arc adopted tor 

 mutual advantage. For some years past it has not been the 

 practice with tlie captains and ofBccrs of the company's 

 ships to fill up their own privileged tonnage, or but a por- 

 tion of it ; and vet thev convert it into a profitable and safe 

 remittance for the proceeds of their adventures to this coun- 

 try. Little skilled in Indian goods, and of course liable to 

 imposition, thev ha\'e vistly abandoned the homeward ad- 

 venture to merchants resident in Bengal, who till up their 

 privilege, receive their money, and orrant bills, at the rate 

 of 2s. 4d. to 23. Cd. for the current rupee. In the exchange 

 is included freight and insurance, and it depends on the 

 value remitted per ton, uhether the freight is dear or cheap. 

 The less the merchant draws for, the cheaper he obtains 

 his freight ; for the exchange may at least be reckoned 20 

 per cent, beyond par, which of course becomes a charge 

 tor freight and insurance. 'I'he bills are paid from the pro- 

 ceeds of the goods, and if the ship is lost, the obligation 

 of payment is void. 



In estimating the value of exports to Europe and America 

 on foreign ships, we shall form our calculation from the 

 tonnage cleaved out in the last three years, 1 79'2, 1793, and 

 1794. It mav be objected to this estimate, tliat two of the 

 vears we ha\ e selected being a period of war, neutral ton- 

 naa;e under foreign flags would be increased. This, no 

 doubt, has sonic influence ; but the war having involved 

 every nation in Kurope, except the Danes and Swedes, al- 

 though we have had an increase of Danish ships in conse- 

 quence thereof, other foreign tonnage has declined in a 

 greater proportion. Taking, then, the departures of foreign 

 ships for Europe and America in 179'2, we find them to 

 consist of 



Tons Bur. 



7 Ships under French colours - - 2,410 



I Dutch ditto - - - . 200 



4 Danish ditto - - * 2,300 



Portuguese ditto _ _ * 1,400 



1 Imperial ditto - - - 730 



5 Gt noese ditto - ~ - 2,280 

 16 American ditto - _ * 4,302 



13,623 

 For 



