Flint's Letters from America, 1818-1820Flint, James, active 19th century
History
Flint's Letters from America, 1818-1820
Flint, James, active 19th century
Ohio River Valley -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel
The baneful consequence of the paper system are not confined to
internal derangements here, but are extended to every department of
foreign intercourse. The merchants and manufacturers of other countries
are enabled to sell their goods, and the produce of their labour,
nominally cheaper than the Americans. Imports are increased, and a
large balance of trade arises. This must be paid in specie. Foreign
capitalists, who engage their funds in American speculations, must also
have the dividends, or profits on their stock, paid in the precious
metals. The grain raised by the American farmer is sent abroad, but the
price is greatly reduced by expense and risk incurred by a voyage, also
by the profits of merchants on both sides of the Atlantic. The cotton
and the wool are sent to Europe under similar disadvantages, and a
repetition of them in reconveying the manufactured goods to America. A
few facts will set this impolicy in a strong light. Cotton, which now
sells in the United States for a few cents per pound, is, in certain
cases, sent to England, and returned to the wearer at nearly as many
dollars. A gentleman from Mount Sterling, about thirty miles east of
this place, told me that a good coat of English manufacture, costs
there thirty-six dollars. Indian corn sells at twenty-five cents per
bushel. The farmer, then, who wears such a coat, must pay a hundred
and forty-four bushels for it,--a quantity sufficient to be bread
for twelve men for a whole year. One pound of good tea costs twelve
bushels,--bread for one man for a year. A chemical manufacturer, at
Pittsburg, buys saltpetre imported from India, cheaper than he can
procure the spontaneous product from the {111} caverns of Kentucky.
Although most of the metallic and earthy substances, useful in
manufacture, are abundant in America, she imports jewellery, cutlery,
glass, crystal, earthen and porcelain wares. By this means the republic
discourages her own artizans, and pays the taxes of foreign monarchies.
Under the present money system it is in vain that nature has diffused
her mineral resources over the New World. In vain will the government
impose the highest restrictive duties on imported goods, while every
crop of flax augments the imaginary money capital to a greater extent,
and while there is the smallest residuum of specie left in the country.
It would be an interesting inquiry to find the number and the names of
legislators in the different states assemblies, who are interested in
banking concerns. The people would then see how the power that grants
chartered privileges to banks is constituted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account