095 
Statistics^ 
The cotton-planter of these eight years received Is. 5^d. 
which, from the diminished value of money, was equal to at least 
one “half more than it now is. 
The second period, though less favoured in point of actual re- 
ceipt, was equally so by the inferiority of every description of ex- 
pense, and by the non^mposition of duties, as the gross proceeds 
of sale averaged a fraction more than Is. 8d. per ib. The clear 
receipt was therefore about 9d. Had the (W. I.) planter not been fa- 
voured, as he fortunately was, the fate which now seems to impend 
over him would have been then accomplished, and with less des- 
tructive effects to the state. It has been his lot to have his hopes 
raised to the highest pitch, and then, by a refinement in cruelty, 
to have them dashed away with the rudest violence. 
The expenses were somewhat increased from 1796 to 1802, 
about the middle of which (in 1799) a duty of 8s. 9d. per 100 lbs. 
or of a fraction more than 1 d. per lb. was imposed on British cotton 
v/ool ; while, strange to tell, 6s. 6d. per 100 lbs. or about three 
farthings per lb. was laid on American produce in American bot- 
toms. The average price was 2s. t\d. If the whole expens© 
amounted to Is. 2d. -which it certainly did not, the planter netted 
Is. 5|-rf. which was quite equal to his wants or his wishes. 
The diminution of charges during the short-lived peace of 
Amiens, remedied, to a certain extent, the smallness of the price, 
which was only 2s. per lb. They vv^ere about 10c?. per lb. which 
left Is. 2d. for the proprietor. 
From the renewal of hostilities to 1808, while 2s. per lb. has 
been the average price of cotton wool, every thing has happened to 
diminish the planter's funds. For, immediately on the breaking 
out of the war, a duty of 10s. 6d. per 100 lbs. or \^d pei^ lb. was 
laid 'on British, and 7s, \0d. per 100 lbs. or three farthings and a 
fraction, on American cotton in American bottoms. 
In 1805, this highly improper distinction in favour of the lat- 
ter ceased, and the duties were increased to 16s. 8d. per 100 lbs, 
^ or 2d. and a fraction per Ib. on British, and 17s. 8d. per 100 lbs. or 
about 2^d per lb. on American produce. 
Both, however, are on equal terms wdien the latter is imported 
in British bottoms. The duty on British produce was in the fol- 
lowing year raised to 1 6s. \Qd. and has continued steadily the 
same; that on American cotton was first (in 1808) raised to 17s, 
10a'. per iOO lbs. or 2^^d. per lb. and lately to 20s. 5d. per 100 lbs. or 
ttbout 24c?. per lb. when imported directlyj and 2 Is. i '^d. per 100 lbs,- 
