These few facts will enable the reader to form some idea of the comparative progress of different towns in Upper Canada, under circumstances similar in some cases and different in others.  When it is considered that all of these last-mentioned towns have for many years reaped the full benefit of the influx of emigration and capital from the mother country, while the shores of the Bay of Quinte were little known or appreciated, it will appear that the progress of Belleville has been at least equal to that of any of them.  The prosperity of Belleville may in fact be almost entirely attributed to the gradual development of its own internal resources, the fertility of the lands in its vicinity, and a large exportation, of late years, of lumber of all kinds to the United States.

Having no desire unnecessarily to trouble the reader with dry statistical tables, I shall merely quote the following facts and figures, kindly furnished me by G. Benjamin, Esq., the present warden of the county of Hastings, to whose business talents and public spirit the county is largely indebted for its progress in internal improvement.

The increase of business at the port of Belleville has been most extraordinary.  In 1839, the total amount of duties paid at this port amounted to 280l; and in the year (1850) the amount reached 3659l. 12s. 4d.  The total arrivals at this port from the United States are as follows: 

                                 No. of Tons Hands
                                Vessels employed
  British propellers ........... 8 2,400 104
  British sailing vessels ...... 81 4,140 375
  Foreign do. do. .............. 124 12,643 730
                                ------- -------- -------
  Total ........................ 213 19,183 1209

This in addition to our daily steamers.

Our exports to the United States are ............    L52,532  17   5
And British ports below Belleville ..............   153,411  16   6
-----------------
L205,944  13  11
L      s  d
Total imports from United States     25,067  2  6
Total acceptances from United States 17,435  0  0
Total importations from lower ports,
including drafts and other resources 130,294 0  0   172,796   2   6
-------------  ----------------
Showing the balance of trade in
favour of this port to be ........................   L33,148  11   5

Our exports to the lower ports are made up as follows: