English Translation

bl 16 - the acceptance of diplomatic relations. The economic bond between the two countries and hand in hand with it now also the political becomes ever stronger. In the middle of the l8th century is (τ the half of Russian trade in English hands. The growth of English trade with Russia up to 1734 shows the following table: English imports English exports Imports from Russia L to Russia H surplus L 1701 90 581 69 201 21 380 1705 142 134 74 247 67 887 1715 241 876 105 153 136 722 1724 212 229 35 563 176 665 1725 250 315 24 847 225 467 1726 235 869 29 512 206 357 1727 144 450 21 882 122 567 1728 232 702 25 867 206 835 1729 156 381 35 092 121 288 1730 258 802 46 275 212 526 1733 314 134 42 355 271 778 2) 1734 288 969 35 532 262 437 This table shows the strong activity of the trade balance with Russia in favour. The English obtain from Russia the so-called "naval stores", i.e. raw materials and accessories, which they need to expand their fleet. At that time the English colonies are not able to cover the English need for ship material. Both the wood for shipbuilding as well as the iron but also all other accessories of the sailing ship fleets: flax, hemp, finished ropes, pitch, tar etc. As a result, England became increasingly dependent on Russia: the expansion of the Anglo-Saxon fleet to a dominant power in the sea was only possible, because Russia was supplying England with the necessary raw materials. More than two thirds of Russian hemp exports and the 1) Kulizer, p.l90. 2) Reading, The Anglo-Russian Commercial Treaty of 1734, New Haven 1938, p.37.