The Prussian Government has made great progress in establishing its
plan for the Commercial Confederation of Germany. There is to be an exemption front duties on German products in German States, a uniform tariff of duties on foreign products, and a uniform scale of weights, measures, and coins. The revenue, when collected, is to be paid into one common treasury, and divided among the different mem- bers of the Confederation, in proportion to their extent, population, &c., in lieu of the duties they now separately enforce. The evident object of Prussia, is to gain a more extensive market for her own manufac- tures, by excluding those of foreign states—especially English—froin„' the greater part of Germany. At present, our exports to those coun- tries which are, or certainly will become, members of the Confedera-. tion, amount to about eleven millions annually. Thus the trade which is endangered by the Prussian project is of very great importance to us.
The details of this plan are not completed, but we may be sure that no time will be lost in their settlement. That numerous obstructions, and much practical wrong to the minor members of the Confederacy will result from this new Continental system, is very probable ; but once established, it will be difficult to compel a relinquishment of it by the doniinant power of Prussia. We at least in England have no right to complain of the vast loss of trade which will probably be occasioned by it. Our corn and timber duties afford an ample excuse to the Ger- man States for any retaliatory measures they may think it for their interest to take. The Confederacy includes the whole of Germany not under the sway of Austria, except Frankfort, which will probably be soon obliged to join it.
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