E ' E 3
•E f
U t
il
11
i!
i . !>
E
!
! ì'
; i;
siderable affinity to those of Jersey, though there are
important differences ; and in their relative value the
affinity is small. The exports of island produce are
necessarily smaller, from the less extent, and less
productiveness of the island. The export of potatos
from Guernsey was formerly greater than it now is ;
but that export has of late years diminished, owing to
the use of the potato in the manufacture of spirit, and
also of vinegar.
The trade of Guernsey, in wine and spirits, is still
very large. During the year, ending with October
1833, there were imported 264,201 gallons of wine,
of which, 112,500 gallons were re-exported; and of
brandy, there were imported no less than 240,913
gallons, of which, however, I find only 53,057 gallons
re-exported.
The extent of the trade of Guernsey in foreign
produce for export or consumption, and in British
manufactured goods for export to the colonies, bears
no comparison with that of Jersey. The building and
fitting out of an extensive shipping, do not give an
impetus to a foreign import trade in Guernsey; and
the long list of articles of British manufacture, &c.,
wanted for the extensive trade carried on by the
Jersey island, with our colonial possessions in North
America, scarcely enters into the imports and exports
of Guernsey.
I have no exact account of the number of clearances
m and out; either with, or without cargoes; but I
have a statement before me, of the average for the
last two years of the number of vessels (exclusive of
packets) that arrived in the harbour, or the roadstead.
—with cargoes,—or on ballast,—or wind-bound. The
number is stated to be 1800 : but a very large number
of these must have been vessels wind-bound; for the
roadstead of Guernsey is a favourite retreat for vessels,
from the strong south-west winds that prevail in the
Channel: and the numerous small French vessels
laden with wine, from the southern ports, and hound
either for the Channel ports, or the Baltic, frequently
take advantage of Guernsey roads. Thirty, forty
and fifty, or cA^en as many as seventy, at a time, may
be seen during the prevalence of a gale, anchored off
St. Peter’s Port.
C H A P T ER VII.
Civil, Military, and Ecclesiastical Government—Taxation.
A l t h o u g h the constitution of this island, agrees in
its more material points Avith that of Jersey, there are
nevertheless some important differences, which require
to be pointed out.
The military government of Guernsey, differs in
nothing from that of Jersey ; but their civil constitutions
are dissimilar. This dissimilarity consists in the
different constitution of the legislative body, and of
the Royal Court in the two islands; as well as in the
powers respectively exercised by them. It will be
recollected, that the States, or legislative body of
Jersey, is composed of the bailiff; the twelve judges ;
li
-1i 1i-- itvr
Ml
ill
I