W. Indies, (generally)

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CHAPTER IV.

Produce of agriculture divided into that, 1st. which constitutes vegetable food; as flour, rice, indian corn, rye, &c.-2d Of animals, as beef, pork, butter, lard, cheese, &c.-3d. Tobacco-4th. cotton-and 5th. others of minor importanceQuantity and value of these exported at different periods-The principal countries, to which flour, cotton, tobacco, rice, beef and pork, are usually exportedAmount of the kinds and value of domestic manufactures exported—A comparative view of the value of the produce of the sea, of the forest, of agriculture, and of manufactures, exported, from 1803 to 1833.

THE principal employment of the inhabitants of North America, has been that of agriculture. The first emigrants soon found, that nothing promised such immediate and permanent advantages, as the cultivation of the new lands, which they came to possess. The labor bestowed in clearing and cultivating them, afforded not only the surest means of subsistence, but added greatly to the permanent value of the lands themselves. The immense tracts of vacant, uncleared lands in the United States, has always rendered it easy for those possessed of an ordinary share of industry, to obtain more than enough for cultivation. The facility of supporting families, has induced early marriages, population has increased with the means of subsistence, and wealth, as well as health and happiness has generally attended the independent cultivator of the soil.

The surplus produce of American agriculture, has been exchanged for those articles, either of necessity, convenience or luxury, which the inhabitants did not manufacture for themselves, or could only be procured from foreign nations; and the productions of agriculture, both before and since the American revolution, have constituted much the largest portion of the domestic exports of this country. These productions, have been classed into those

1st. Which constitute vegetable food, as wheat, flour, rice, indian corn, rye, peas, beans, oats, potatoes, &c.

2d. The products of animals, as beef, tallow, hides, butter and cheese, pork and lard, or the animals themselves when exported. 3d. Tobacco.

4th. Cotton.

5th. Others of minor importance, as indigo, flax-seed, wax, &c. Wheat, one of the most valuable of vegetables, was brought to America, by the first emigrants, and has been cultivated with success, from the first settlement of the country. It has always been the

great staple of the middle and western states, and was formerly produced in those at the east. For many years past, it has, in a great measure, failed in New England.

The states of Virginia and Maryland have exchanged part of their tobacco lands, for wheat.

In 1770, the quantity of wheat exported from the American Colonies, now the United States, was seven hundred and fifty one thousand two hundred and forty bushels; and of flour and bread, was forty five thousand eight hundred and sixty eight tons, being at ten barrels per ton, four hundred and fifty eight thousand eight hundred and sixty eight barrels; both then valued at about $2,862,190. Much the greatest part of it went to the south of Europe and to the West Indies. The amount exported from the United States, from the peace of 1783, to the commencement of the present national government, cannot be ascertained with any degree of accuracy.

The quantity exported, from 1791, to 1833, with the value of the same, since 1803, has been as follows-viz:

Tables No. I and II, shew the different countries to which flour has been exported; the first from 1800 to 1816, and the second, from 1821 to 1833.

The West Indies, Spain and Portugal, and occasionally, Great Britain, have been the principal foreign markets for American wheat and flour. The West India Islands have constantly furnished a market for a large proportion of them, and in times of scarcity in Great Britain and in the southern parts of Europe, the United States have come in competition, with the grain countries of the North of Europe.

In 1801, a year of scarcity in Great Britain, the United States exported to that kingdom, two hundred and sixteen thousand nine hundred and seventy seven bushels of wheat, and four hundred and sev enty nine thousand seven hundred and twenty barrels of flour: and in 1807, six hundred and sixty nine thousand nine hundred and fifty bushels of the former, and three hundred and twenty three thousand nine hundred and sixty eight barrels of the latter.

The unfortunate and distressed situation of Spain and Portugal, during the unprecedented struggle for supremacy in those countries, called for a large proportion of American flour, not only for the ordinary supply of the inhabitants, but for the support of the allied ar