ABSTRACT
The gains to American merchants arising from re-exports undoubtedly so added to the foreign assets of the Union as to give it a favourable balance of trade. Despite the broadening of American commerce, Britain remained its principal centre abroad. However, Anglo-American trade after 1783 differed from its colonial parent: not so large a percentage of American exports went to Britain as formerly. Britain no longer purchased American-built ships as she had done on a large scale in colonial times. In 1792, the British were still the best customers of the Union, taking goods twice the value of the purchases of France, which ranked second among the markets for American exports. The most productive years were 1807 and 1809; the largest vessel was of 666 tons. Nearby, on the Connecticut River at Haddam, Essex, and Middletown, new yards arose under the impact of a growing demand for sturdy and durable whalers.
