INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STREAM UPON COMMERCE. 



63 



pared the trade of Charleston with that of the northern cities for 

 several years, both before and after the discovery of Dr. Franklin 

 became generally know^n to navigators. The comparison shows 

 an immediate decline in the Southern trade and a wonderful in- 

 crease in that of the North. But whether this discovery in navi- 

 gation and this revolution in trade stand in the relation of cause 

 and effect, or be merely a coincidence, let others judge. 



83. In 1769, the commerce of the two Carolinas equaled that 

 of all the New England States together ; it was more than double 

 that of New York, and exceeded that of Pennsylvania by one 

 third.* In 1792, the exports from New York amounted in value 

 to two millions and a half ; from Pennsylvania, to $3,820,000 ; 

 and from Charleston alone, to $3,834,000. 



But in 1795, by which time the Gulf Stream began to be as 

 well understood by navigators as it now is, and the average pas- 

 sages from Europe to the North were shortened nearly one half, 

 while those to the South remained about the same, the customs at 

 Philadelphia alone amounted to $2,941,000,1 or more than one 

 half of those collected in all the states together. 



Nor did the effect of the doctor's discovery end here. Before 



* From M''Phcrsoii's Annals of Commerce. — Exports and Imports in 1769, valued in 



Sterling Money. 



t Value of Exports in Dollar s.t 



X Doc. No. 330, H. R., 2d Session, 25th Congress. Some of its statements do not agree with those 

 taken from M'Pherson, and previously quoted. 



