CHAP. VI.

Of Riga.-Produce in which it principally trades: Hemp and Flax, Wood and Grain.-Ships arrived, from 1703 to 1805.-Specie imported. Aggregate Exports.-Exports to Britain and Ireland; to France.→ Imports and Exports, specifying to what Nations the latter.-Total Exports in 1804.-Imports in the same Year.

THIS, like many other cities in the Baltic, had its rise in the 12th century, about the middle of which its foundation was laid. In the year 1198 we find it noticed as a place of some importance; and particular mention is made of it in 1200, when the Bremeners are stated to have ingratiated themselves so well in Livonia, that, in order to secure their power, they threw up fortifications, according to the fashion of those times, around Riga, which they denominated the New City: in consequence, it increased so much in power and wealth, as to keep not only the Pagans in awe, but to exert its influence in civilizing them. To such an important consideration had this city arrived in 1498, that we find their Arch-Prefect, Proconsuls, and Consuls, with the greatest solemnity, making a treaty with King Henry the Seventh of England.

The subsequent vicissitudes we shall pass over, till the period that Peter the Great added it to the territories of the Russian empire. In 1704 no less than 359 ships were loaded and dispatched from Riga. In the year 1710, from the circumstances of that period, only 15 ships arrived at Riga. Since then it has progressively increased and risen to its present importance, and now ranks the second city of commerce in the Russian empire. From the navigable communication it will shortly enjoy with the Black Sea, and the adjacent fertile provinces that lie betwixt, it is impossible to foretell what advantages may be -thrown into the lap of this city.

The source of the Düna has already been described, and its navigable communication, which is not very commodious. Vessels even of a small size can go no higher than four or five miles above the town;

it then becomes only navigable when the water is high in spring, by the melting of the snow, and in autumn by the fall of the rains, wher the barks and floats of masts descend and bring down grain, hemp, and produce, impelled by the current. Barks, or small boats, embrace the same opportunity in returning back to Witepsky, loaded with salt and other articles; from whence, at the same period, by means of two small rivers, called the Bella and Poretsch, falling into the Düna, are brought down hemp, grain, and other goods; flax likewise partly comes down by the same conveyance, but a good deal by sledge-way in winter, although not so much as formerly in that

manner.

There are here hemp-warehouses, which are situated on the opposite side of the river from that on which the city stands; but, on account of the rising of the river, and rapid current in spring, by the melting of the snows and frequent obstruction occasioned by the ice, the weight of water has been known to break down the banks and overflow the lower part of these warehouses, although they are now very well protected; the Dutch have generally taken the precaution of insuring the property they might have laying in these warehouses on this account, in winter and spring.

The articles of traffic are much fewer at Riga than at Petersburg, and principally consist of corn, hemp, flax, linseed, and wood, the qualities of which have been always held in higher estimation than from any other quarter of the Baltic. This may arise from the greater attention originally paid to the Brack at Riga than at any other port in Russia; as well as because the provinces from whence these articles come are more fertile, and, consequently, produce a better quality: it is not, however, exactly the case with all sorts of grain.

The hemp and flax, when brought down, pass the Brack; the former < is assorted into the following descriptions :

The flax is of a finer harle, cleaner and better quality than from any other port in the Baltic, and consists of the following denominations: in the first place,

RAKITZER is a general name here for the finer sorts of flax, and probably derived this title from Rakischeka, a district in Lithuania, from whence all the fine flax used to

come.

DRUJANA RAKITZER comes from the district of Drujana.

TIESENHAUREN RAKITZER takes its name from a family which formerly brought down the best flax, and is now picked from that which comes from the Duchy of Lithuania.

MARJENBURG CLEAN, or CROWN, comes from a remote part of Livonia, and from the estates Marjenburg and Marjenhausen.

MARJENBURG CUTT is the outcast of the above in Bracking.

BADSTUB PATERNOSTER is the outcast of Lithuania and Rakitzer.

- DRUJANA CUTT is the refuse of Drujana Rakitzer.

RISTEN THREE BANDS is the refuse of Drujana Cutt.

HOFFS THREE BAND is the best of Livonian Threebands, both of which grow in Livonia,

The Crown or best kinds remain in their original binding, of about 25lb. each bundle; but that cast-out is bound over again in bundles of about 10lb. each; and, when packed for shipping, is made up in bales of about a quarter of a ton each.

The linseed from hence, which is a particular and superior sort, is very much esteemed for sowing; of this the Dutch every year take large quantities. It mostly comes from Livonia, Courland, and Lithu-. ania, in Autumn, before the shipping season closes, being the growth of the same year: what remains behind is called Over Sowing Linseed, expressive of its laying over the winter, and is not taken as sowing seed, but is sold for crushing, and is the best quality for that purpose. Drujana Linseed comes from the district of that name, and is only used for extracting oil, as are the supplies which come from Polotzki, Witepsky, and the adjacent governments, likewise great quantities from Russia.

There are few or no manufactures of linens in these provinces so contiguous as to make Riga the shipping port; this branch is almost exclusively confined to Petersburg, although Riga exports some.

The grain shipped from hence, like that from Petersburg and Archangel, from its being dried, bears long voyages, on which account it

is generally shipped to Spain and Portugal, or other southern markets. Till 1803, it was the custom to reserve one-tenth of all the corn that came down the rivers, and which was intended for exportation; this was deposited in the public magazines, until the crop of the year following, when, if it had not been used in the country, it was exported, and a fresh tenth kept; by which means, there was always a portion of the grain exported, that was a year older than the rest. When, however, it was found that the new supply was likely to be abundant, this was allowed to be sent out: undoubtedly this was a wise regulation, and one that deserves to be imitated. But, in consequence of a recent regulation, a new duty is laid on all sorts of grain. exported, to raise a specific fund for building new magazines, now erecting, to keep a sufficient stock on hand, in case the crops of a succeeding year should be deficient. The grain shipped from hence is the produce of Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, Courland, Livonia, and Esthonia; as also are those other articles from hence, as well as from the governments of Smolenski, Minsk, Mohilelew, Polotzk, and Lithuania; from all which districts, masts formerly, and now fir and oak timber are sent to Riga: till latterly, masts were had from Berinsky, but all these forests being exhausted of late years, they have chiefly been procured from Volhinia, where they are beginning to be scarce, so that recourse has already been had even to Austrian Galicia; this distance will, with the first cost, make them come very high at Riga, as well as all other timber; a calculation relative to this has been: given under the head of wood.

It has hitherto taken two years to convey masts and timber from the forests to Riga, but it is to be hoped a single season will be sufficient, and that it will be done at less expense, when the canal is effectually executed and finished, joining the Düna and the Dneiper, otherwise, there are new channels by which masts can more easily be obtained; but it is the great attention and excellent regulations paid to the bracking system which has hitherto preserved this branch to Riga exclusively. The < bracker is answerable for every tree before it is cut, on which account he examines it very minutely, mounts up and sounds it in every part, for, if once cut, it must be paid for at the price agreed upon, even