is 



as carried on by the Vistula, which, as tar as concerns 

 Wheat, is the most important ; and after recounting, 

 according to my instructions, the quantity of Wheat 

 accumulated in the several exporting places, I state 

 whatever relates to the raising of Corn, to the cost of 

 its production, and the supplies yielded in the dif- 

 ferent divisions of Europe, which have hitherto con- 

 veyed their Grain to our markets, in the order in 

 which I viewed the several countries. 



The commerce of Corn, generally, in the countries 

 whose connection with the Sea is maintained by the 

 River -Vistula, has been extensive during a long 

 series of years. The shipment to foreign countries 

 was, during a long period, almost exclusively confined 

 to the city of Dantzic. 



The government of Prussia viewed with some 

 jealousy the trade of that city, which was then one 

 of the independent Hanse Towns ; and having the 

 land on both sides the river, from the boundaries of 

 Poland to those of Dantzic, endeavoured, by forming 

 the city of Elbing into a free mart, to draw the trade 

 through that place and its port of Pillau. 



Some success attended this plan, and the trade 

 was carried on through the two rival channels, with 

 a competition which has been continued to the 

 present time ; for thpugh Dantzic has been since 

 added to the Prussian territories, and the preference 

 given to Elbing consequently withdrawn, the latter 

 city seems to have retained its proportionate share of 

 the export of Corn. 



Attempts are at this time making by Russia, to 

 divert the Corn trade of Poland, but especially of the 

 provinces of that country, which have been separated 

 from it, and are now comprehended in Russia, to the 

 port of Riga as the place of shipment. For this 

 purpose canals are now constructing, which nre 

 intended to facilitate the conveyance of goods to the 

 river Duna. It is not however probable, that a very 



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