[23] In a little book, ‘Political Arithmetic,’ by Sir William Petty, written about 1675, and published in 1691, the author of it remarks, “The extent of the shipping of Europe being about two millions of tons, I suppose the English have five hundred thousand—the Dutch nine hundred thousand, the French an hundred thousand, the Hamburgers and the subjects of Dantzic two hundred and fifty, and Spain, Portugal, Italy, &c., two hundred and fifty thousand!” the value of which the author reckoned “at 8l. per tun” (ton).
[24] See a review of the ‘History of the Navigation Laws of England from the Earliest Times,’ by a Barrister, a most able exposition, from the pen (I understand) of Sir Stafford H. Northcote, Bart., now (1875) Chancellor of the Exchequer, published by Ridgway, London, 1849.
[25] McPherson’s ‘Annals of Commerce,’ vol. iv. p. 26.
[26] See ante, vol. ii. p. 354.
[27] See Mr. Huskisson’s Speech on Colonial Policy, March 21, 1825.
[28] Hertslet’s Treaties.
[29] [Appendix, No. I.], p. 563.
[30] In 1814 there were entered inwards 1,290,248 tons of British shipping, and 599,287 tons of foreign shipping.
In 1824 there were entered inwards 1,797,320 tons of British shipping, and 759,441 tons of foreign shipping.
In 1846 there were entered inwards 4,294,733 tons of British shipping, and 1,806,282 tons of foreign shipping.