National Gazette

THE principal qualifications of merchants, and the foundation of their calling, have at all times consisted in foresight, a readiness in calculation, and practical speculation.

The existing state of things requires from their patriotism the most serious reflections in regard to certain articles indispensably necessary for the use of their fellow citizens, which we are obliged to receive from abroad, and the plenty or scarcity of which either increases or diminishes the prices. Thus things call aloud for the utmost exertion of their talents and abilities.

By means of their extensive correspondence the daily advices they are receiving continually from abroad, and the result of their computation on foreign prices, they may readily discover what countries will alternately have it most in their power to supply our wants, in the article of corn, according to the quantity of their annual and respective crops. It is generally understood, that Marseilles is the great market of whatever grain is consumed, not only in its own district, but also in the other departments of the south of France. Spain, the duchy of Nice, and the river Genoa; Italy, Sicily, the island of Sardinia, Levant, and Africa have been heretofore our particular resources, but at rates extremely dear. England, and the countries on the Baltic, have also contributed something; unfortunately, the crops are indifferent, we may even say bad, throughout the Mediterranean. Spain will have to import largely for herself. The province of Languedoc, which till 1789, rendered us large supplies, as well as to Toulon and its vicinity, has ever since been incapable of supplying its own demand; and there is no doubt but that they must import for themselves this year. Burgundy and the Franche Comte do indeed promise a large supply of beans; but their crops of wheat are poor, and will prevent them exporting any further than Lyons.-Advices from Naples, of the 4th current (August) confirm the accounts of bad harvests in those parts, as well as in Sicily, where the exportation will not only be prohibited, but they are about to lay duties upon imported corn. Instead, therefore of being supplied from that quarter, it is to be apprehended that they themselves will stand in need. In such circumstances it is, doubtless most prudent for us to procure grain from more remote countries, and our immediate duty to take the most decided measures to supply our own wants, and those of our neighbours: and to this object the house of Stephen Cathalan and Son (the latter of whom is here, in quality of Vice consul for the United States of America) has turned its attention This house has been constantly writing for a year past to its correspondents in America, during all which time the prospect has been very favourable for disposing both of corn and flour here to an advantage. They have likewise written to Bourdeaux, to several Spanish ports, particularly Cadiz, where their vessels are always ordered to stop to enquire what port in the Mediterranean affords the best market.

Notwithstanding all this, cargoes of the above mentioned articles have not yet got further on towards us than Barcelona. we hope however, that from the inducements and additional encouragements that are daily held forth, a plentiful supply may yet be had.

The time however from now till the 15th of December (the season for frost setting in) is short. Suppose advices to arrive in America, and vessels to be laden out in consequence, it will be the middle of February before they can be at sea. But the navigation not being open till March the cargoes cannot reasonably be looked for here till the middle of April or May, at which time the American flag will be exposed to the depredations of the Algerines; and it is not easy to find crews composed of freemen that will expose themselves to slavery upon any consideration whatever. It is only from the 11th of November to the 11th of March that American merchant vessels can appear with safety in the Mediterranean.

The Sieur Cathalan (junior) who foresaw our probable wants about the beginning of this month (August) formed a design of making a journey to Bourdeaux, to confer with Mr. Fenwick, the American Consul there, on the likeliest means to engage our friends in the United States to send to this port, before the winter sets in, the greatest possible number of vessels laden with grain and flour.

But in order to give more energy to Mr. Cathalan's conferences with the American consul at Bourdeaux, and most of all to his letters to the government of the United States, it is left to your judgment whether it would not be proper for the mayor and municipality of Marseilles to write a short letter (with triplicates) to General Washington, President of the United States, by which his attention may be forcibly attracted upon our wants. Such a letter would have great weight, and might procure ready and abundant supplies.

The United States are wholly in want of taffia, or rum, the usual drink of the Americans Brandy, notwithstanding the high price it was at last winter, and still is, will nevertheless afford a profit, and will be at least two and an half per cent cheaper after the vintage. The American vessels will consequently find very profitable returns on the advantageous sales of their cargoes ; and we shall eventually, see them coming to this port in great numbers, and establishing a beneficial commerce between the two nations The Sieur Cathalan, junior, at all times zealous for his country's welfare, submits the preceding memorial to the wisdom and good judgment of the mayor of Marseilles.