The Virginia Gazette

The merchants and traders in Belfast have, in their very excellent letter to our different members, most seasonably taken the lead in this important business, of furnishing the legislature with such hints and observations, as may tend to promote the national welfare, particularly respecting sugars, and equalizing the duties, &c. The several articles in the letter, will meet peculiar attention of our Senators, for, unless the refining of our own sugars be properly secured, raw sugars cannot be imported to advantage, consequently a free trade, in this respect, will be but a name. The truly useful observations, in the letter alluded to, are not local and confined, but nobly extensive, and designed for promoting the whole mercantile interest. It is hoped our merchants and traders in other parts, will, with the same accuracy and precision, lay their sentiments before our representatives. Those in the metropolis, ought to be among the foremost in this most necessary work. The field is large, and almost every article of commerce, with the appertaining duties, bounties, and drawbacks, &c. will require a suitable investigation. To give us equal advantages with British traders, our situation, circumstances, and several disadvantages (which will appear on a comparison) must be duly considered. On this, the most important consequences may depend.