3240. FREE PORTS, St. Bartholomew.—
The island of St. Bartholomew, lately ceded
to Sweden, is, if I am rightly informed, capable
of furnishing little of its own productions to
that country. It remains, then, to make it the
instrument for obtaining through its intermediation
such American productions as Sweden
can consume or dispose of, and for finding in
return a vent for the native productions of
Sweden. Let us suppose it, then, made a free
port without a single restriction. These consequences
will follow: 1. It will draw to itself
that tide of commerce which at present sets
towards the Dutch and Danish islands, because
vessels going to these are often obliged to negotiate
a part of their cargoes at St. Eustatius,
and to go to St. Thomas to negotiate the residue;
whereas when they shall know that there
is a port where all articles are free for both importation
and exportation, they will go to
that port which enables them to perform by one
voyage the exchanges which hitherto they could
only effect by two. 2. Every species of American
produce, whether of the precious metals or
commodities, which Sweden may want for its
own consumption, or as aliment for its own
commerce with other nations, will be collected
either fairly or by contraband into the magazines
of St. Bartholomew. 3. All the productions
which Sweden can furnish from within
itself, or obtain to advantage from other nations,
will in like manner be deposited in the
magazines of St. Bartholomew, and will be
carried to the several ports of America in payment
for what shall be taken from them.—
To Baron Stahe.
Ford ed., iv, 240.
(P.
1786)
