Of Food. 469 



The following are the questions which were put to 

 him, with his answers to them : — 



Q. What is the freight, per ion, of merchandise 

 from Boston in North America to London in time of 

 peace? — A. Forty shillings (sterling). 



Q. What is the freight, per barrel, of Indian corn? — 

 A. Five shillings. 



Q. How much per cent is paid for insurance from 

 Boston to London in time of peace? — A. Two per 

 cent. 



Q. What is the medium price of Indian corn, per 

 bushel, in New England? — A. Two shillings and six- 

 pence. 



Q. What is the price of it at this time ? — A. Three 

 shillings and sixpence. 



Q. How many bushels of Indian corn are reckoned 

 to a barrel ? — A. Four. 



From this account it appears that Indian corn 

 might, in time of peace, be imported into this country 

 and sold here for less than four shillings the bushel, 

 and that it ought not to cost at this moment much 

 more than five shillings a bushel. 



If it be imported in casks (which is certainly the 

 best way of packing it), as the freight of a barrel con- 

 taining four bushels is five shillings, this gives \s. 2,d. 

 a bushel for freight ; and if we add 07ze penny a bushel 

 for insurance, this will make the amount of freight and 



crossed the Atlantic Ocean the almost incredible number of one hundred and ten 

 times, and without meeting with the smallest accident. He is now on the seas in 

 his way to North America ; and this voyage, which is his hundred and eleventh, 

 he intends should be his last. May he arrive safe, and may he long enjoy in 

 peace and quiet the well-earned fruits of his laborious life ! Who can reflect on 

 the innumerable storms he must have experienced, and perils he has escaped, 

 without feeling much interested in his preservation and happiness .'' 



