Statistics of Van Diemen's Land. 
445 
7s. 8d.; and for 1846, £122,776 11s. 7d.; showing a decrease 
of 14 per cent, in 1845, and of 24 per cent, in 1846, as compared 
with 1844. The chief reduction has been in the Civil Establish¬ 
ment, which is 26 per cent, less in 1845, and 29 per cent, less in 
1846 than in 1844. 
The next seven tables (No. 3 to 9) develope the progress that 
has been made in the commercial relations of the colony. 
No. 3 shows the number and tonnage of vessels, British and 
foreign, that have arrived and departed during the’past three 
years; and although the arrivals from Great Britain are much 
fewer in number than for the antecedent period,—a circumstance 
readily accounted for by the suspension of transportation, and the 
absence of prison-ships from our shores,*—still it is satisfactory 
to notice the progressive increase of the trade with the British 
colonies. On this subject also it is gratifying to be enabled to 
remark, that the jealousy heretofore manifested at the rising 
prosperity and growth in population of the neighbouring Austra¬ 
lian colonies has gradually yielded to more enlarged views; and 
the conviction is at length entertained that, instead of regarding 
them in the light of rivals, and as competitors with our settlers, 
we must see in them only our natural customers with whom to 
exchange the surplus products of the colony. Our intercourse 
with the United States has much declined since 1843, contrary to 
the sanguine expectations that were formed, that it would become 
more extended by that liberal measure of the legislature, which 
admitted American whalers into our harbours without payment of 
port dues and charges.—The trade with foreign states, less upon 
the whole than for the previous three years, shows a gradual 
revival since 1844. 
No. 4 sets out the value of the imports and exports, each 
averaging about (but now exceeding) half a million sterling 
annually. The imports slightly predominate, betokening however 
no unsound or unhealthy condition of things, as the balance of 
trade must have been more than restored by the large commis- 
* This was written before the arrival of the body of exiles gave indication of the 
revival of the system by the British government. 
