7,139,042 18,428,433

1833 9,313,549 5,686,949 15,000,498
1834 9,505,892 8,501,141 18,007,033
1835 10,303,316 8,161,117 18,464,433
1836 9,999,861 9,011,205 19,000,066
1837 11,097,436 7,789,126 18,187,662
1838 11,258,473 9,481,372 20,739,845
1839 11,991,236 9,376,241 21,367,477

In one particular instance, the entire failure of the free trade system to
procure any corresponding return from the very continental states whose
harbours it was chiefly intended to open, has been singularly conspicuous.
In February 1821 the reciprocity system, in regard to shipping, was
introduced by Mr Huskisson, and acted upon by the legislature; and the
following reason was assigned by that eminent man for deviating from the
old navigation laws of Cromwell, which had so long constituted the
strength of the British navy. Mr Huskisson maintained--"That the period
had now arrived, when it had become indispensable to introduce a more
liberal system in regard to the admission of foreign shipping into our
harbours, if we would avoid the total exclusion of our manufacturers into
their harbours. The exclusive system did admirably well, as long as we
alone acted upon it; when foreign nations were content to take our goods,
though we excluded their shipping. But they had now become sensible of
the impolicy of such a system, and, right or wrong, were resolved to
resist it. Prussia, in particular, had resisted all the anxious endeavours
of this country, to effect the introduction of goods of our manufacture,
on favourable terms, into her harbours; and the reason assigned was, that
the navigation laws excluded her shipping from ours. The reciprocity
system has been rendered indispensable by the prohibitory system, which
the other European powers have adopted. The only means of meeting the
heavy duties they have imposed on our goods and shipping, is to place our
duties upon a system of perfect reciprocity with theirs. Foreign nations
have no advantage over us in the carrying trade: from the London report,
it clearly appeared, that the ships of Norway, Sweden, Russia, Prussia,
France, and Holland, cannot compete with British, either in long or short
voyages. But at any rate, the repeal of our discriminating duties has
become matter of necessity, if we would propose any trade