Statistics^ 
295 
^j^erage was, during that time, 2a. 7d> and the maximum 35. 
and the total average 2s. 7\d. > 
In the year of peace it fell to the average of 2s. From that 
year to 1807, it fluctuated between is. \0^d. and 2s. 2\d. averagingj 
upon the whole, 2s. per lb. sterling. 
The prices during 1808 and 1809 were better, but cannot be 
admitted into a general statement, as they originated in causes so 
novel and unnatural, idiat a recurrence of them cannot be expected 
during another century. 
The average of the current year is below is. \Qd. and will pro-? 
bably be still less, as the quantity imported of foreign cotton is 
rapidly increasing. The natural consequence of which is a dimi^ 
nution of price. 
From 1781 to 1788 inclusive, cotton wool, as has been already 
remarked, sold on an average at 2s. 2\d. At that time no duties 
were levied. Every article required by the colonies was much 
cheaper. Navigation charges were equally small ; and the peace 
which then existed, favoured the manufactories at home, which 
benefited the planter. 
The actual expenditure was, of course, much inferior to what 
it now is, while the price was higher. 
It may be assumed, as a broad and incontrovertible fact, that 
the ppce of every article is double what it was in 1781. The 
plantation charges m.ay therefore be stated at one-rhalf of what they 
are according to a preceding statement, that is at ^^d. p,er lb. of 
cotton woof; and supposing the mercantile charges to have been 
the same as they now are, they, after deduction of 2d. for the du- 
ties, are 5|f/. per lb. Thus, the gross charges upon every pound 
qf cottonwool, would then have been 9d. which leaves I 5 . 5-|c/. of 
actual receipt to the planter of that time. 
Lest this mode of estimating be not admissable, let another be 
adopted, and the results will be found nearly the same. Among 
mercantile people, id per Ib. was generally supposed sufficient to 
cover all the diffierence between war and peace charges. Tliis, it 
must be rem*arked, was previous to the present war, since which 
the duty has been nearly doubled on British cotton. About \d. per 
lb. may therefore be added to the estimate of the merchants, which 
increases it to 5d. per lb. When this is deducted from I 5 . 2\d. 
the present expenses, 9\d. will remain as the real expense of the 
former period ; and the additional half-penny may be considered 
equivalent to the enhanced price of every necessary for th^ 
rsl^tes, though it is iafapt belov/ it. 
