text:  Of the total average number of vessels by which the foreign trade of that empire is carried on and load and leave the ports of Russia yearly which in round numbers may be taken at about 6000 of an aggregate tonnage of 1 000 000--ships sailing on ballast not comprehended--the average number of ships under the Russian flag comprised in the estimate does not much if any exceed 1000 of the aggregate burden of 150 or 160 000 tons