| isevi A GENERAL HISTORY

Of thefe were diverted from the Britifh market, being fent through the
United States to China, 19,364 {kins, fine beaver, weighing 19283 pounds;
| 1250 fine otters, and 1724 kitt foxes. They would have found their
way to the China market at any rate, but this deviation from the Brith

channel arofe from the following circumftance :

_ An adventure of this kind was undertaken by a refpe€table houfe in
London, half concerned with the North-Weft Company in the year
1792. The furs were of the beft kind, and fuitable to the market; and

the adventurers continued this connexion for five fucceflive years, to

‘DiS its a

Caen

the annual amount of forty thoufand pounds. At the winding up of

So

the concern of 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, in the year 1797, (the adven-
ture of 1796 not being included, as the furs were not fent to China, but
difpofed of in London), the North-Weft Company experienced a lofs
of upwards of £40,000 (their half,) which was principally owing to the

Cre ee SET

, difficulty of getting home the produce procured in return for the furs
a He from China, in the Eaft India Company’s fhips, together with the duty
( if | payable, and the various reftri€tions of that company. Whereas, from
S He America there are no impediments; they get immediately to market,
: and the produce of them is brought back, and perhaps fold in the courfe
oH of twelve months. From fuch advantages the furs of Canada will no
oe i doubt find their way to China by America, which would not be the ,
‘ cafe if Britifh fubjefts had the fame privileges that are allowed a
foreigners, as London would then be found the beft and fafeft market.

But to return to our principal fubje&t.—We fhall now proceed to

feventy-

| confider the number of men employed in the concern: viz, fifty clerks, : ‘j
| |

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