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wants of another class. For a long period, a great portion of the manufactures used in the United States, was pro cured from beyond seas, and on the other hand there was always a ready market beyond seas, for all the surplus products of the United States, the proceeds of which paid for the articles imported; and the commerce produced by the exchange, gave employment and remuneration to the merchants engaged in it; while the carrying trade paid a good profit to the ship owners, and gave employment to a great many sailors. At the close of the wars in Europe, the commerce of the United States was destined to undergo a considerable revolution. Each European nation is now obliged, in a considerable degree, to supply its wants within itself, and hence a great many of the productions of the United States have either been excluded or subjected to very heavy duties. The result is that the trade has been cramped-a heavy exchange has been brought against the country, and the consequence will eventually be, that the country will become in a great measure independent within itself. This will be greatly accelerated by the low price of provisions, and consequently of labour, on the one hand, and the great increase of manufactures on the other -particularly in the eastern, middle, and western states. The exchange between these and the southern states is very active, and even now supplies, in a considerable degree, the blank created in the foreign trade, both as to the mercantile and shipping interests; and at no distant period, this trade, connected with that to the West Indies. and the rising trade to South America, will be greater than ever the European and India trade was, and much more productive. At present, the internal trade, though very great, cannot be accurately estimated. The foreign trade for 1825, has been stated in a report made by the Treasury

Department to Congress, from which the following are

extracts:

The total value of the imports, in 1825, was $91,000,000

And the value of foreign goods exported,

in 1824, was

25,337,157

7,014,552

Of which there was specie and bullion

The value of the principal articles imported in 1824, was,

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* The exports in 1825 exceed, by 17 millions of dollars, the average amount for the three preceding years. The imports exceed, by about 11 millions, the same average. Of the exports 6 millions consisted of domestic manufactures.

*92,000,000

The following were the principal articles of export, in 1824, with the value in round numbers:

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The value of exports, domestic and foreign, from each

state, in 1824, was in round numbers as follows:

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Of the foreign articles exported, there was $7,014,552 of specie and bullion, so that the sum total of Merchandise exported, domestic and foreign, was $75,986,657.

The persons employed in commerce are represented in the census as amounting to 72,493.

CHIEF CITIES.-We shall only notice here those large cities, which from their extensive mercantile transactions possess great influence on the country as a whole. The other cities, towns, and villages, will be more appropriately noticed under the heads of the respective states in which they are situated.

WASHINGTON* claims the first notice, in consequence of being the seat of the general government. It is hand

* See the annexed plan.

somely situated on the north-east bank of the Potomac River, between Rock Creek and the Eastern Branch, at the head of tide water. The District of Columbia, ten miles square, in which it is situated, was ceded to the United States by the states of Maryland and Virginia; and in the year 1800, became the seat of the general government. The city is laid out on an elegant and extensive plan, with the streets running exactly north and south and east and west. There are also a number of grand avenues running diagonally through the city in different directions, and forming squares at the intersections. The whole plan is very spacious and grand, but it is only partially executed: the buildings being yet not sufficient, if condensed, to fill up one of the grand avenues: so that it looks rather like a thickly settled country than a city. The plan is, however, rigidly adhered to by the inhabitants, who have shown great industry in opening and improving the streets, and a great number of the houses are very handsome. The principal and great leading street at present is the Pennsylvania Avenue, extending about a mile and a half, between the Capitol and the President's house, and public offices. Here the greater part of the mercantile business is transacted, and it is a place of great resort, particularly in winter, when the congress is in session. The principal public buildings are 1st. The Capitol, having spacious chambers for the Senate and House of Representatives, and apartments for the Supreme Court of the United States, the national library, and other public objects. 2d. The President's House is a very spacious, elegant, and commodious building, furnished at the national expense, and specially appropriated for the residence of the Chief Magistrate. 3d. Contiguous to the President's house are four offices for the different departments of state, viz: the Secretary's office, the Treasury office, the War office,

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