Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/66

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greater part of the vessels and utensils of this metal that they require, from Europe, and especially from Germany.

Locksmithery has been lately introduced into the country; but the workmanship is bad, and so dear, that if a lock is broken, it costs less to purchase a new English one, than to have it repaired. Cutlery, and all manufactures of steel, are brought from England.

Every species of fire arms, and side arms, are manufactured in the States, and cannons of every calibre are cast for the land and sea service. The founderies of Philadelphia, Richmond, and Washington, cast from 200 to 300 cannons a year; and the manufactories of Springfield, New Haven, and Harper's Ferry, make from 20 to 30 thousand muskets. As the insurrection in the Spanish provinces of America opened a market of considerable profit for all kinds of arms and munitions of war, the manufacture of these articles in the country has been attended to with greater zeal since that period, and they have continued to export and sell them to the revolutionists. Many have been also carried from Europe in American vessels, principally from the Hanseatic towns, from Holland and France, and being there stored, have been reexported to the revolted provinces of America. But this traffick has of late declined; for the English have undertaken to provide these provinces with arms and munitions of war, and as they furnish them cheaper