be a great gain for all parties. A practicable solution might then, perhaps, be arrived at. We may rest assured that nothing that can be said on this side of the water can add to the impression of the momentous fact that the slave population are already 3,000,000, and in the lifetime of many now in existence will possibly be 6,000,000. Still less do taunt and crimination become us, whose predecessors brought to that country the first elements of the present tremendous problem (funesta dote d' infiniti guai). These, and many other things that he may meet with, may not suit the ideas of an Englishman of the present day; but if wrong, there are plenty of minds in the United States engaged in the effort to correct them. I have no desire to meddle with them. I am writing, not for American, but for English readers, and because I believe that I have had a few things to say which may not be undeserving the consideration of my own country

men.

APPENDIX.

(A.) Vide p. 74.

ESTIMATED COST of growing an Acre of WHEAT on a Farm of

200 Acres in the wheat-growing districts of Ohio.

1 20

Threshing, at 3 cents; cleaning and stacking,

3 cents; 20 bushels, at 6 cents.

Carrying to mill, 10 miles, at 2 cents (20×2) 0 40

Interest on Capital invested in land at 6 per cent., say at 40 dollars per acre

Interest on Farming Capital for 200 acres, 650 dollars, or 3 dollars 25 cents per acre, at 6 per cent.

Interest on Farm-buildings for 200 acres, 3000 dollars, or 15 dollars per acre, at 5 per

Taxes (State, County, Roads, Schools, Poor), Appraisement of 1 per cent. on 75 per cent. of the Capital and Buildings, 3650-2775 dollars on 200 acres, say per acre

Under their present system their straw is of little value to them. The common assertion was, that the average produce was not above twenty bushels per acre, and also that they did not bring their wheat freely to market until the price was at least 65 cents. If interest and taxes were reduced by one-half, it would not, probably, make any material difference in the actual result, as it would be an indication of less produce or of produce of inferior value.

With regard to the above statement, another gentleman, having good means of judging, said to me"There are many farmers in Ohio, living in great comfort, with houses and buildings worth at least 2000 dollars, who live at more cost, and hire labour, and who cannot get on as they have been accustomed with wheat under 75 cents to 80 cents. These men will probably have made their own bricks for their buildings on the spot, and have had a saw-mill near to prepare their timber, and have done a great deal of the labour themselves. It is common to that the West' can grow wheat at 50 cents; but the cost of transport from the interior will be in proportion to dis

say

6

tance, unless close to the lakes, where a few hundred miles in addition do not make much difference. My opinion, however, is, that there is no rule yet for price in the West. The main elements of cost there are labour and the distance from the lakes. The great difficulty is to harvest the crop."

(B.) Vide p. 75.

COST of TRANSPORT of WHEAT from the above-mentioned districts to Liverpool, and Selling Price there.

According to information from the best sources at Cleveland, at the end of September last, the prices and cost to New York were as follows:

Per bushel
of 60 lbs.

The farmer in the interior is now getting for red*

"We are now shipping Ohio red' from Cleveland to New York at 65 to 67 cents, the lowest prices we have known for some time. The cheapest mode of transport to New York is through the Welland Canal to Oswego, and thence on by canal. The usual cost by that route is 16 cents to 20 cents per bushel. We

* The wheat of Ohio is principally red.

are now delivering it at 85 cents per bushel at New York. The Oswego route is about 1 cent per bushel cheaper than through Buffalo. The great mass of the wheat goes through in spring and autumn; at midsummer freights are about 10 per cent. less. At these prices wheat is not delivered freely by the farmers, and any demand would raise the price. They will send it on freely at 65 cents, which would make it 95 cents at New York."

The present selling price of wheat at New York (November 15, 1851) is quoted thus:

The following is the statement of the cost and charges at New York, the charges from New York to Liverpool, and the selling price at Liverpool, referred to in page 75 :