THE BRAZILS. . 131 
now takes from us, but would be able to meet tlie value of 
supplies sent out to them in the important articles of coffee, 
cocoa, cotton, indigo, sugar, drugs, timber, and other com- 
modities, which by proper encouragement might be produced 
to any extent. Nor would the revenuLe be any great sufferer. 
The deficit in duties would be more than made up by the 
wines of Portugal, which, like those of France, would still 
find their way into England, and the more readily since no 
other nation would take them off her hands on any terms. 
, Commerce, like water, will always find its own level. The 
stream may flow in different channels with different degrees of 
rapidity, and may be diverted by various obstacles from a ^ 
direct course, but it will ultimately succeed in working out 
a passage, and find its way to the great reservoir which is 
destined to receive it. That na,tion which commands the 
ocean can at all times direct the commerce of the world. 
If any material change should be effected in the govern- 
ment of the Portugueze possessions in South America, the 
Spanish colonies would soon be induced to follow the ex- 
ample. These, in fact, are still more oppressed than the 
other, or at least more effectually debarred from the means of 
procuring the comforts of life, in the midst of all their gold 
and silver. It may be true, what I have heard asserted, that 
eight hundred London built carriages roll the streets of 
Mexico, but it is also true that eight millions of people, which 
is the least calculation the Spanish colonies are supposed to 
contain, may almost be literally said to go naked for want of 
clothino;. Our South Sea whalers are well aware of the value 
of this article, and few of them, which are intended to double 
s 2 
