"You said: Where do you people come up with this stuff?!
Economic data: (from Historical Statistics of the US, Dept. of Commerce, pg. 164)
Receipts of US Government for 1859--$53,486,000
In 1859 tariff revenue was $49,566,000 on $317,333,000 worth of imports.
The exports from the US that bought those goods were worth $278,902,000 at the ports of exit from the US.
Of that amount, the value of cotton, tobacco, rice, naval stores, sugar, molasses, hemp, cotton manufactures (all originating in the South) was worth $198,309,000 or about 87%. (Statistical abstract of the US, 1936 edition,pgs 435-439)
The figure of 90% is derived from the above amount, plus the value of tariffs paid on overseas purchases made with cash by Southern governments, and bounties for fish exports paid to the treasury, and the total reaches 90%.
The figure of 90% is derived from the above amount, plus the value of tariffs paid on overseas purchases made with cash by Southern governments, and bounties for fish exports paid to the treasury, and the total reaches 90%.
Puts quite a different spin on things, doesn't it?
Apparently the South was a Cash Cow for the government. No wonder they didn't want to let it go. Who can resist free money?