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Letter to Editor
February 24, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In a letter to President Washington, 'Humanitas' from Philadelphia warns of impending famine in U.S. cities due to skyrocketing wheat and flour prices from European exports. Urges an embargo on grain exports to protect mechanics and the poor. Dated February 16, 1790.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FROM THE FREEMANS JOURNAL
To the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES,
SIR,
The subject, on which I have taken the liberty of addressing you, is of so important in its nature, that I think any apology, for the freedom taken, is unnecessary.
If the hearts of our benevolent citizens have been melted in sympathy to our fellow creatures in Europe on account of their being involved in the distressing scenes of famine; what must be our feelings when the same dreadful calamity begins to threaten our own country, or at least the populous maritime cities and parts adjacent?
Wheat is now 10s. 4 per bushel in Philadelphia, and flour proportionably high; and it is generally believed, that, by the month of May next, wheat will not be less than 2 dollars a bushel, if the exportation is not immediately stopped; as the demand from Europe is growing greater every day.
The moderate price of beef, mutton and other articles of provision has in some degree rendered the high price of bread less felt; but a dearth of these will soon follow that of bread, and indeed in our last markets there is an evident advance in their price; which, if it continues, will shortly put it out of the power of poor mechanics or manufacturers, to purchase with their daily earnings subsistence for themselves and families; the consequences whereof, will be a depopulation of our cities, with all the train of calamities incident to such a misfortune.
By a timely interference of the executive of the union, the distressing scenes of misery produced by famine may be prevented.
It is therefore to you, Sir, that our manufacturers, mechanics, and industrious poor, look, to avert the impending danger, by stopping the exportation of grain and flour, by an embargo, for such time, as to you in your wisdom shall seem right.
HUMANITAS
PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 16, 1790.
To the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES,
SIR,
The subject, on which I have taken the liberty of addressing you, is of so important in its nature, that I think any apology, for the freedom taken, is unnecessary.
If the hearts of our benevolent citizens have been melted in sympathy to our fellow creatures in Europe on account of their being involved in the distressing scenes of famine; what must be our feelings when the same dreadful calamity begins to threaten our own country, or at least the populous maritime cities and parts adjacent?
Wheat is now 10s. 4 per bushel in Philadelphia, and flour proportionably high; and it is generally believed, that, by the month of May next, wheat will not be less than 2 dollars a bushel, if the exportation is not immediately stopped; as the demand from Europe is growing greater every day.
The moderate price of beef, mutton and other articles of provision has in some degree rendered the high price of bread less felt; but a dearth of these will soon follow that of bread, and indeed in our last markets there is an evident advance in their price; which, if it continues, will shortly put it out of the power of poor mechanics or manufacturers, to purchase with their daily earnings subsistence for themselves and families; the consequences whereof, will be a depopulation of our cities, with all the train of calamities incident to such a misfortune.
By a timely interference of the executive of the union, the distressing scenes of misery produced by famine may be prevented.
It is therefore to you, Sir, that our manufacturers, mechanics, and industrious poor, look, to avert the impending danger, by stopping the exportation of grain and flour, by an embargo, for such time, as to you in your wisdom shall seem right.
HUMANITAS
PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 16, 1790.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
Emotional
What themes does it cover?
Economic Policy
Agriculture
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Wheat Prices
Flour Export
Embargo
Famine Prevention
Philadelphia
Mechanics Poor
European Demand
What entities or persons were involved?
Humanitas
The President Of The United States
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Humanitas
Recipient
The President Of The United States
Main Argument
urges the president to impose an embargo on grain and flour exports to prevent famine and high food prices in u.s. cities, protecting mechanics and the poor from economic hardship due to european demand.
Notable Details
Wheat Priced At 10s. 4d Per Bushel In Philadelphia, Predicted To Reach 2 Dollars By May
Compares Sympathy For European Famine To Potential U.S. Crisis
Warns Of Depopulation And Calamities If Prices Continue Rising