243 
Statistics^ 
It will be observed that there are differences in the amounts 
of these tables, from each other, and from that which Walsh has 
given from the authors, I have cited. I do not know how to aC« 
count for the differences, but I regard Mr. Irving’s statements as 
entitled to superior credit. 
Since the American peace of 1783, it has been the fashion cf 
all the ministers of Great Britain, from Pittto Percival, atthean* 
nual opening of the budget, to dwell with almost exclusive inte- 
rest on the state of the commerce of the country, on the vast and 
increasing amount of exports and imports, and the balance of trade. 
This seems to have arisen not merely from what I conceive falsa 
views of the relative importance of foreign commerce, but also 
from the necessity of conciliating the prejudices of the monied in^ 
terest. This bias in favour of commercial statements appears to 
me to have been carried by Mr. Pitt, and Mr. Percival particular- 
ly, to a morbid excess. Even during the periods of war, the won- 
derful encrease of British commerce has been the theme of mi« 
nisterial exultation ; but the minister never thought fit to enter into 
any analysis of the items. It seemed as if the most effectual me- 
thod ever discovered of encreasing the trade of the country, was 
to go to war with all the world, and contrive that no market what- 
ever should be open to British goods. The success of these Ie« 
gerdemain calculations, was truly astonishing. The minister bor- 
rowed for instance twenty millions sterling : he laid out the great- 
est part of it, in cloathing, arms, provisions, &cc. &c. for the use 
of the navy and army. The merchants and manufactures among 
whom this money was expended, entered the goods in the usual 
eJourse for exportation, and all the other exports on account of go- 
vernment, were also entered at the custom house ; these entries, 
swelling the bulk of export, are gravely used as evidences of the 
great encrease of foreign trade ! We cannot therefore, if tins ac- 
count of the matter be true, as I believe it to be, consider the gross 
statements of export and import of that country, as furnishing any 
accurate knowdedge of the real state of foreign trade. I shall be 
glad to receive any authentic refutation of this view of the sub- 
j[ect, if any person knowing otherwise, will furnish the facts ; but 
I know this has been, and I believe it continues to be the case. 
OF THE TONNAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
British Navy. The following extract of a letter, address- 
ed to Mr. Percival by lord Melville, on the subject of the establislv 
ment of a naval arseiml at North fiec't, presents within a small com 
