a page or two
unprofitably given to some extracts from it. In the introduction of his
subject he says:

"When Louisiana was acquired by the United States, there was a
duty on brown sugar of two and a half cents a pound, levied for
revenue. The people of that state, who had already made some
experiments in the culture of the cane, saw that the duty
afforded them some protection from foreign competition, and
secured the benefit of the home market, which was then of
considerable extent, and rapidly increasing. This induced them,
within the region then considered adapted to the cane, to turn
their attention to the production of sugar. They embarked their
whole fortunes, and for a long time struggled, under very
discouraging circumstances, against the effects of the climate,
the vicissitudes of seasons, the deficiency of capital, the
want of skill, and all the difficulties incident to the
commencement of such an enterprise. It was for many years a
doubtful experiment and hazardous undertaking, but they
persevered.

"The cane gradually adapted itself to the climate. Different
kinds of cane were introduced, skill was acquired by
experience, capital increased, machinery and steam power
applied, improvements adopted, and expenses diminished.

"At the close of the war, Congress, for the purpose of
increasing the revenue, and of protecting the domestic
industry, increased the rate of duty on sugar half a cent a
pound, as a part of a general system. This had a most decisive
effect in bringing this great national interest to its present
state, and they have now finally triumphed over every obstacle.

"It was more than twenty years before they could produce 40,000
hogsheads; and during the greater part of that time very little
profit was made upon the capital employed.

"The increase of capital, the introduction of machinery, the
diversion of labour from other less profitable pursuits, the
acquisition of skill, and, above all, the confidence of the
people in the protection of the government, have vastly
augmented the means of production. It now promises an ample
supply for the consumption of the country, and a steady but
moderate profit. They are in a course of experiment, that will
in a short period establish this great interest upon a scale