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“...island played a far greater part
in the economy of the Revolution than most persons suppose.
In the first place, the war, and the non-importation agreements
which preceded it, had cut off at one blow the supply of British
manufactures to the American colonies. It was true that the native
American inventiveness would in time supply their place. The
mute inglorious hired man, who could do anything with a jack-
knife, the versatile Jonas of Mr. Abbotts fancy, would blossom
forth as the Yankee inventor. But this would take time; and in
the meanwhile it was very convenient to have in the neutral islands
of the West Indies a means of temporary supply and a market for
American exports. The trade ventures of states as well as of indi-
viduals were often carried on in this way. As early as March,"
1776, we find Abraham van Bibber agent of the state of Maryland
at St. Eustatius, taking care of cargoes sent or underwritten by the
state. In the archives of Virginia there are letters, from him, ad-...”
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