On the Timber Trade (Classic Reprint)

The book offers a historical look at Britain’s colonial timber trade and its far-reaching effects on empire, economy, and policy.

It links Canada’s forests to Britain’s manufacturing power, naval strength, and international trade decisions.

Drawing on data and contemporary arguments, the work examines how colonial timber imports influenced currency, debt, and prices, and how policy choices shaped relationships with the colonies and with foreign rivals. It presents the case for maintaining strong ties with the colonies as a cornerstone of national prosperity and security.

• How the colonial timber trade affected British prosperity, currency, and policy decisions
• The strategic role of Canada in supplying wood and supporting home industries
• Debates over protecting colonial interests versus diversification of sources
• Connections between trade, empire, and naval power in the early 19th century

Ideal for readers seeking a concise, fact-based look at imperial trade policy and its economic consequences.