be acquainted with the customary forms and obligations of contracts; the mode of making payments; the many formalities that encumber, and sometimes turn aside the course of justice; the spirit, still more than the letter, of the tariff and the Custom-house regulations; the privileges claimed by the Crown, and the different orders; with a variety of other particulars, which attentive and able men may learn on the spot, and nowhere else. "Another circumstance connected with the British trade is too curious to be passed in silence. Every mercantile house in Petersburgh employs certain men, called in the language of the country artelschicks, who are the counting-house men, and employed by every merchant to collect payment on bills, and to receive money, as well as, in many instances, to pay it in very considerable sums. This is an important part of their trust. There being no bankers in Russia, every mercantile house keeps its own cash; and as the payments between merchants, and for bills of exchange, are made entirely in bank notes of no higher value than 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 roubles-most of them in so tattered a state as to require several hours to count over a sum of 2,000l. or 3,000l.-this business is performed by artelschicks; and very few instances have occurred of loss by their inattention, either in miscounting the notes, in taking false notes, or, where they are much torn, in receiving parts of different bank notes. "These artelschicks are also employed to superintend the loading and unloading the different cargoes; they receive the most valuable into the warehouse, where they are left solely under their care; and in these warehouses not merely merchandise, but often large quantities of dollars, are deposited. These Russians are mostly natives of Archangel and the adjacent governments, of the lowest class; are often slaves, generally of the Crown: and the only security of the merchant arises in some degree from the natural reluctance of the Russian to betray confidence reposed in him; but in a much greater from their association, which is called an artel. "An artel consists of a certain number of labourers, who voluntarily become responsible, ás a body, for the honesty of each individual. The separate earnings of each man are put into the common stock; a monthly allowance is made for his support; and at the end of the year the surplus is equally divided. The number varies in different associations from 50 to 100; and so advantageous is it considered to belong to one of these societies, that 500 and even 1,000 roubles are paid for admission. These societies are not bound by any law of the empire, or even written agreement; nor does the merchant restrain them under any legal obligation; yet there has been no instance of their objecting to any just claim, or of protecting an individual whose conduct had brought a demand on the society." -(Coxe's Travels in Russia, vol. iii. p. 315.) Few Russian merchants engage in foreign trade. It is carried on principally in foreign bottoms, of which by far the larger proportion are English. Marine insurances are generally effected in London or Amsterdam; there being no establishment for that department of business in Russia. An insurance company against fire has been established in Petersburgh, and enjoys several privileges. It is a joint stock company, divided into actions, or shares. It has been very successful; and its shares are at a very high premium. No insurance on houses or goods in Russia, made in a foreign country, can be legally recovered; no official documents of loss being allowed to be furnished for such a purpose. Money.-Accounts are kept at Petersburgh, and throughout Rus-1 sia, in bank roubles of 100 copecks: formerly, accounts were kept in silver money; but, by an order of government, the practice of keeping accounts in bank note roubles has been enforced since 1811, to the exclusion of the other. The only gold coin at present struck is the 12 Imperial, or 5 rouble piece, s. 8d. s erling very nearly. The silver rouble is worth 3. 2 3-4d. sterling very nearly; and is declared, by a ukase issued in 1829, to be worth 360 copecks: this would give the value of the paper rouble at nearly 11d; but it fluctuates with the exchange.-(For an account of the Commercia! Bank of Russia, see vol. i., p. 124.) Weights and Measures.-The Russian weights are the same for gold, silver, and merchandise, viz. The Rusian pound contains, according to Dr. Kelly, 63185 English grains. Hence, 100 lbs. Russian 90-26 lbs. avoirdupois = 40-93 kilog. The pood 36 lbs. 1 oz. 11 drs., but among merchants it is reckoned 36 lbs. According to Nelkenbrecher, 100 lbs, Russian 90-19 lbs. avoirdupois = 40-9 kilog. 82.3 lbs. of Amster dam 84-444 of Hamburgh. The following regulations for the importation of All goods imported must be accompanied by the following documents: 1 The declaration of the captain, according to the form ordered by the Custom-house. 2. An attestation from the Russian consul, and where there is no consul, from the Custom house of the place, of the quantity and quatity of the gools, and a declaration that they are not the produce, maDufacture, or property of an enemy's country. 3. Bills of lading of all goods, in which the weight, measure, or quantity of each package must be specified. In case the bills of laling are not exactly after this regulation, the goods pay double duty as a fine. In case more is found than specified in the bill of lading, the surplus is confiscated: if less is found, the duty must be paid on the quantity specified. Of wine, it is not sufficient to specify the The principal measure for corn is the chetwert, divided into 2 osmins, 4 pajocks, 8 chetwericks, or 64 garnitz. The chetwert = 5-952 Winchester bushels. Hence, 100 chetwerts 744 English quarters. In liquid measure, The wedro wine gallons. 1 Krashika. 13 1-3 Bottles = 1 Wedro. 3 Welros = Anker. 6 Ankers = 1 Oxhoft, 2 Oxhoft = 1 Pipe. In long measure, 16 Wesshok = I Arsheen. 3 Arsheen = 1 Sashen. 500 Sashen = 1 Verst. 1 sushen 7 English feet; 1 arsheen 28 English inches. 100 Russian feet 114 1-2 English feet. The verst, or Russian mile,= 5 furlongs 12 poles. The English inch and foot are used throughout Russia, chiefly, however, in the measuring of timber.--(Kelly's Cambist, art. Russia; Nelkenbrecher, Manuel Universel.) In fixing freight to England. a ton is 3 pods of hemp, flax, tallow, iron, copper, and ashes; 44 ponds of bristles, isinglass, leather, and wax; 5 dozen of deals; 3,50 hare skius; 8 chetwerts of wheat or linseed; and 60 pieces of sail-cloth. foreign goods are strictly enforced: number of pipes or bog-heads only, but also their contents in gallons, &c. Of lemons, the number in each box must be specified. Of ma nufactured goods, the measure of each piece must be specified, and the number of pieces in each bale. It is indifferent whether the gross or the nett weight be specified. If the packages be all of the same weight, measure, or contents, a general specification will do, as for example, 100 casks alum, of 17 lispound each. Of dye woods, the weight of the whole need only be mentioned. Of goods of small bulk. as pepper, &c., it is sufficient to state the weight of every 5 or 10 bales, but with specification of the numbers. There must not be any erasures or blots in the bill of lading. All goods not accompanied by these documen's, or where the documents are not according to the above regulations, will be sent back. Bills of lading may be male out either to some house, or to order. The following charges have been fixed by the merchants of Petersburgh: - 17 per cent. - 20 - 40 - 36 Moist Goods imported.-The following are some of the tares specified in the tariff: Olive oil in casks of Italy, in flasks and straw of France, in flasks and earthenware Indigo in serons ; every seron of from 5 1-2 to 7 Miscellaneous Goods. in 1-2 serons, 2 1-2 to 4 pools 3420 20 per cent. . 20 of Guatemala Bills drawn in Russia, and payable after date, are allowed 10 days' grace: but if payable at sight, 3 days only: Sundays and holidays are included in both cases. The Julian calendar, or old style, is still retained throughout Russia. This is twelve days later than the new style; and in leap-years, 13 days, after the month of February. Lasts Port Charges payable on British Ships at the Port of Petersburgh. 81 91101 111 from 20 25 30 35 40 45 Roubles 168 196 214 232 259 277 29 322 340 358,386 403 431 449 176 494 522 539 567 585 613 630 658676 703 10 10 10 10 10 70 70 80 80 90 60 65 70 75 16 17 19 21 23 26 The trade of Petersburgh is exhibited in the following Tables :-- II. Official Account of the Values of the Imports into and Exports from Petersburgh, with the Produce of the Custom Duty thereon, in each Year since 1800. III. Official List of Goods cleared for Exportation at the Petersburgh Custom-house, during the Six Years ending with 1835. IV. Account of the Quantities of the Principal Articles of Foreign Produce imported into Petersburgh in each of the Four Years ending with 1835. V. Official Statement of the Trade of the principal Russian Cities in 1830 and 1831. Kerseymere 321 508 411 996 365 178 VI. Official Statement of the British and Foreign Shipping at the Port of Petersburgh, daring the Year ending the 31st of December, 1833. 2,156.9 6 465,498 2,313,410 378,855 No returns. 324,158 29,643 No returns. Remarks on Tables. It would appear from the above Tables, that the trade of Petersburgh has increased with extraordinary rapidity since 1812. But though its increase since that epoch has been very considerable, it has not been by any means so great as might be inferred from the previous statements *Of these, 155 ships brought coals. The reason is, that the returns are all made in paper roubles; and that they have borne a much lower value, as compared with silver, since 1812, than they did previously. Since 1826, however, the value of the paper rouble has been pretty constant; and in the interval there has been a considerable increase of trade. We have no doubt, indeed, that the commerce of Russia is yet only in its infancy; and that it will continue to increase according as the increase of population and the slow but gradual progress of civilisation develope the gigantic resources of this great country. It is reasonable, too, to suppose that this developement will be accelerated by the adoption of a more liberal system of commercial policy. TRADE AND NAVIGATION OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN 1831. Account of the Total Values, as per Price Currents, of the different Articles exported from Russia to Foreign Countries in 1834, and of those imported by her from the same; specifying the Exports to and Imports from each Country. General View of the Foreign Trade of the Russian Empire in 1831. Account of Ships arrived in the different Ports of the Russian Empire in 1832. Value per price currents 451,948 211,834,220 22,954,634 234,788,854 36,277 488,125 Value declarations per 242,454,584 22,954,634 285,419,518 Prussia. burgh 581 95 139 68 108 129 25 135 12 7 19 2 7 16 9 7 156 101 185 394 111 119) 81 2 19 9 9 Total 2.ཋ2།|". 30 82 13 94 1697 12 5 ..... |03|.. 22 7.22.22 20 103 3 182 60 46 12 110 126 19 2 1 1 201 62 47 13 1 10 908 . 1 1 1 19 ... 158 1,294 462 301 375 751 305 192 343 18 43 221 65 47 13 1 10 908 69 8 58 4413, 4 175,720 In compiling this article, we have consulted Storch's Picture of Petersburgh, c. 9.; Schnitzler, Essar a'une Statistique Générale de la Russie, pp. 133-157.; Ricard, Traité Génerul du Commerce, ed. 1781, tom. ii. pp. 268-317.; Tooke's View of Russia, book 12.; Coxe's Travels in the North of Europe, 8vo ed. vol. iii. pp. 282-358. &c.; Oddy's European Commerce, p. 69.; Returns from the Consuls at Petersburgh and Odessa; but we have derived our principal information from the private communications of eminent Iussian merchants. (Law as to Ships' Stores and Provisions in Petersburgh and other Russian Ports.-Much inconvenience having arisen to shipmasters in Russian ports, from their not attending to the following regulations as to stores, &c., they are subjoined for their information : Shipmasters arriving in ports of the Baltic from beyond the Sound, or in the ports of the Black and Azoff seas from beyond the Dardanelles, are allowed to pass for the use of their crews for each man of the same, including the shipmaster 23 5 1 55 1 3 4 16 1,404 ........ 61 80 5 18 1,522 19 96 339 57 1 3 4 16 3,601 |