The following sums are in round numbers of
millions of dollars.
Exports Imports National Debt
1807........... 108........... 138........... 69
1808........... 22........... 56........... 65
1811........... 61........... 53........... 48
1812........... 38........... 77........... 77
1813........... 27........... 22........... 55
1814........... 16........... 12........... 81
1815........... 52........... 113........... 99
1816........... 81........... 147........... 127
Almost annihilated by the embargo of 1808 and the War of 1812-15, the
exports and imports, when relieved from such incumbrances, leaped to
figures which caused anger and rebellion when contemplated. The prospect
of wiping out the national debt was indefinitely postponed. Increased
burdens of national taxation brought as loud a protest from the
Federalists in 1814 as came from the Republicans in 1798.
Yet the chief grievance voiced by the Hartford Convention was neither
the loss of commerce nor increased national debt. A question had arisen
in the course of the war which brought out the old contention between
the right of the State and the nation, although with parties and
sections exactly reversed.
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