In the year 1790, the total amount of the exports of Philadelphia, was In 1796, it was 1809, the amount of domestic produce $7,953,418 17,523,866 It was stated to Congress in February last, by a master ship-builder, of Philadelphia, that there were then 9,145 tons of shipping on the stocks. The commerce of Philadelphia has kept pace with the progress of the general prosperity of the State; but in common with the whole union, has suffered a considerable diminution, by reason of the vexations from European nations, who for some years past, have acted as if power gave right, and by the restrictive measures forced upon our government. Our merchants are equal to any in the Union, for industry and enterprize; but during the uncertainty of trade that has prevailed for some time past, they have observed a prudent caution in their adventures, which has had the effect of lowering the amount of tonnage, when compared with other cities in the United States: but the good effects of such conduct has been most striking during the past year, when owing to the uncertainty of the renewal of the charter of the United States Bank, that great wheel of commercial credit, a very great diminution of bank accommodation necessarily took place: hence, while in other cities of the Union, the greatest distress has been produced, and failures have been numerous, and to an immense amount, so few have taken place in Philadelphia, as to produce no diminution of that chain of mutual confidence, by which commerce is upheld, and cannot fail to confirm the opinion generally entertained of the stability of the mercantile community of Philadelphia. Prices Current, of Foreign and Domestic Articles, at various dates. per do. 3s 9d Bohea Tea, 50s. per lb. 4s 1d per pipe 401 per pipe Pipe staves, 31 per thousand 35 45 2 25 18 32 No article in the above list exhibits so great a difference in price, as Bohea Tea. At the date first mentioned, its use was confined to a few persons, the greater part of whom had been educated in Europe, and could not abandon the pleasant meal which the article afforded them. It was deemed by many a sinful luxury, and of course, proscribed by the bigoted. All of it came by way of England, and was saddled with heavy duties. Bohea Tea was moreover, the only kind of tea then used. Inspection of Beef and Pork. The importance of securing a character in foreign markets to our staple commodities, and of preventing impositions by the dishonest, upon our own citizens, early attracted the attention of the legislature, under the colonial government. In the year 1727, a law was enacted to regulate the exportation of beef and pork, and an inspector appointed with extensive authority, to search ships and stores for either article, intended to be exported ; heavy penalties were also inflicted for opposition, or molestation of any sort to him, while in the execution of his duty; or for shipping any cask without the provincial brand or mark. In case of dispute, arbitrators were to be appointed by a magistrate, who was to give judgment agreeably to their report. By a law passed in 1789, all beef or pork, the produce of the State, and intended to be exported, are to be packed in barrels made of sound and seasoned white oak, with fourteen hoops thereon, fastened at each end by iron nails, and at each bilge, by wooden pegs or pins. Every beef or pork tierce, must be of the guage of 42 gallons, wine measure, and contain 300 lb. sound meat, well packed and secured with salt and pickle, and not have more than three legs or shins; and if pork, not more than three heads: every barrel of beef to be of the guage of 28 gallons, wine measure, and to contain no more than two shins: every barrel of pork, of the guage of 29 gallons, wine measure, and to hold 200 lbs. cured meat, and no more than two heads: every half barrel of beef and pork to be of the guage of 15 gallons, and to contain 100 lbs. of cured meat; and if of beef, not more than one shin, and if of pork, not more than one head. Casks of every sort to be branded with the word "Philadelphia," and name of the cooper, or the person putting up the same. Every tierce, barrel, or half barrel, containing salted beef or pork, intended for sale, of the quantity and quality before mentioned, and packed and secured in the manner aforesaid, shall be passed by the inspector: but if these regulations be not complied with, he is to scratch out the cooper's or packer's brand; and if the same cannot be rendered merchantable, a is to be branded on the head of the barrel. Persons selling or delivering beef or pork not inspected, or refusing to admit the inspector to erase the cooper's or packer's brand, forfeits ten shillings; for erasing the cross that may have been stamped, the penalty is ten pounds. Six pence per barrel is paid for inspection, and one shilling and six pence for each tierce, and one shilling for each barrel, or half barrel repacked, besides cooperage. Persons may employ their own cooper. Inspection of Flour. By a law passed in 1781, flour casks are to be made of seasoned materials; having ten hoops, nailed with four nails in each chine hoop, and three nails in each upper bilge hoop: the staves to be twenty seven inches long, but may be of different diameters at the head: viz. casks No. 1, eighteen inches at the head : No. 2, sixteen inches and a half: No. 3, fifteen inches and a half. Twenty cents penalty on every barrel is annexed to a breach of this regulation. Millers are to have brands to mark every cask therewith, be |