Six hundred thousand of the laboring poor of America,
comprehending slaves under that denomination, are clothed in three
of the simplest manufactures possible; to wit, oznaburgs, plains,
and duffel blankets. The first is a linen; the two last, woollens. It
happens, too, that they are used exactly by those who cultivate
the tobacco and rice, and in a good degree by those employed in the
whale-fishery. To these manufactures they are so habituated, that no
substitute will be received. If the vessels which bring tobacco, rice,
and whale-oil, do not find them in the ports of delivery, they must be
sought where they can be found; that is, in England, at present. If they
were made in France, they would be gladly taken in exchange there. The
quantities annually used by this description of people, and their value,
are as follows:
Oznaburgs 2,700,000 aunes, at sixteen sous the aune, worth
2,160,000
Plains 1,350,000 aunes, at two livres the aune,
2,700,000
Duffel Blankets 300,000 aunes, at seven and 4/5ths livres each
2,160,000
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7,020,000
It would be difficult to say, how much should be added, for the
consumption of inhabitants of other descriptions; a great deal surely.
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