The growth was constant, despite the handicap resulting from the European wars.

Indeed, it is probable that those wars stimulated American shipping more than the restrictive decrees growing out of them retarded it, for they at least kept England and France (with her allies) out of the active encouragement of maritime enterprise.

But the vessels of that day were mere pigmies, and the extent of the trade carried on in them would at this time seem trifling.

The gross exports and imports of the United States in 1800 were about $75,000,000 each.

The vessels that carried them were of about 250 tons each, the largest attaining 400 tons.