chap, m.] WEST INDIES. 231 
Having observed thus much on the leading prin¬ 
ciples, or general system of our colonial trade, the 
application whereof will hereafter be seen, I shall 
now proceed to the more immediate object of our 
present researches, and endeavour to furnish the 
reader with some leading data , or facts, whereby 
to appreciate the value and importance of the Bri¬ 
tish Sugar Islands, and the commerce which they 
create 3 by investigating, 
1st. The nature and annual amount of the ex¬ 
port trade from Great Britain and her dependen¬ 
cies, for the supply of their wants, and the profits 
of the British merchants and ship owners thereon. 
2dly. The particulars and value of the various 
rich commodities, the growth of these islands an¬ 
nually imported into Great Britain, Ireland, &c. 
«< occasion, or in any term of time, they maybe procured in the Uni- 
“ ted States, on a computation of the medium price of thirty-four 
“ dollars per ton, for the sum of 340,000 dollars : but, if bought at 
“ fifty-five dollars, the lowest price in France, they would cost the 
«« much greater sum of 550,000 dollars. No argument is necessary 
“ to shew, that such a nation, cateris paribus, must produce seamen 
<c more rapidly than those who refuse these cheap vessels. It would 
ec appear much less unreasonable, that the government of the United 
“ States should prohibit the sale of ships (the means of obtaining na~ 
« <val strength) to foreign nations, than that any of them should re- 
“ ject the great advantage of so cheap and excellent a supply.” Such 
is the reasoning of this author, and it is no proof that his arguments 
are weak, because the circumstance which gave rise to them did not 
exist. 
