The only other nation, the commerce of which has increased very materially and rapidly, is the United States of America; and if we trace the chief and most powerful causes of their commercial prosperity, we-shall still further be confirmed in the opinion, that at least some of the causes which we have assigned for the extension of British commerce are the true ones; and that, in fact, commerce cannot generally or permanently increase where these causes do not exist, and that where they do they must encourage and extend it

It is not our intention to enter into a detail of the causes of American prosperity, except so far as they are connected with its commerce.  They may, however, be summed up in a few words.  An inexhaustible quantity of land, in a good climate, obtained without difficulty, and at little expence; with the produce of it, when obtained and cultivated, entirely at the disposal and for the exclusive advantage of the proprietor.  The same with regard to all other labour; or, in other words, scarcely any taxes:  and with respect to labour in general, great demand for it, and extremely high wages.  These are causes of increased population and of prosperity, and indirectly of commerce, peculiar to America.  It requires no illustration or proof to comprehend how the increased produce of a new soil must supply increased articles for commerce.  While Britain, therefore, finds increased articles for her commerce, from her improvements in the machinery applicable to manufactures, by means of which the same quantity of human labour is rendered infinitely more productive,—­the United States finds materials for her increased commerce, in the increasing stock of the produce of the soil.

Political and civil liberty, and the consequent security of property, are causes of commercial prosperity, common to the United States and Britain.

It may also be remarked, that the circumstances of Europe, almost ever since the United States have had a separate and independent existence, have been favourable to its commerce.  The long war between Britain and France afforded them opportunities for increasing their commerce, which they most sedulously and successfully embraced and improved.  They became, in fact, the carriers for France, and in many cases the introducers of British produce into the continent.

There is only another circumstance connected with the United States to which we deem it necessary to advert in this brief and general developement of the causes of their commercial prosperity:  we allude to the wonderful facilities for internal commerce afforded them by their rivers, and especially by the Mississippi and its branches.  There can be no doubt that easy, speedy, cheap, and general inter-communication to internal trade,—­whether by means of roads and canals, as in England, or by means of rivers as in America, is advantageous to foreign commerce, both directly and indirectly.  It is advantageous directly, in so far as it enables the manufacturer