Meaning: The quote you provided reflects the historical context of the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on the population dynamics of the southern states of Virginia and the Carolinas. The quote suggests that during a particular period, the significant exportation of slaves from these states was so substantial that it contributed to a stagnation or minimal growth in the overall population. This statement is attributed to Henry Charles Carey, an influential American economist and advocate of protectionist economic policies in the 19th century.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, the southern states of Virginia and the Carolinas were major hubs for the cultivation of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo, which were labor-intensive and required a large workforce. The demand for labor in these agricultural economies led to the widespread use of enslaved Africans, who were forcibly brought to the Americas to work on plantations under brutal and inhumane conditions.

The transatlantic slave trade, which operated from the 16th to the 19th centuries, involved the abduction, transportation, and sale of millions of African men, women, and children to the Americas. The scale of this trade was immense, and it had a profound and enduring impact on the demographics, economies, and social structures of the regions involved.

In the context of the quote, the phrase "exports of slaves" refers to the sale and removal of enslaved individuals from Virginia and the Carolinas to other parts of the United States or to foreign markets. The economic reliance on slavery in these states resulted in a constant demand for enslaved labor, and the exportation of slaves was a means of meeting this demand, often leading to the disruption and stagnation of the local population growth.

The quote also alludes to the fact that the outflow of enslaved individuals from these states was so substantial that it potentially offset any natural population growth, resulting in a situation where the overall population remained relatively static. This phenomenon underscores the devastating impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the demography and social fabric of the affected regions, as well as the brutal dehumanization and forced displacement of African people.

Henry Charles Carey, the economist credited with the quote, was a prominent figure in 19th-century American economic thought. He was known for his advocacy of protectionist economic policies and his critiques of the classical free trade doctrines espoused by economists such as David Ricardo. Carey's writings often addressed issues of economic development, industrialization, and the role of government intervention in fostering national prosperity.

Carey's commentary on the demographic consequences of the slave trade in Virginia and the Carolinas sheds light on the interconnectedness of economic systems, labor exploitation, and population dynamics in the context of the transatlantic slave trade. It highlights the ways in which the brutal commodification of human lives for economic gain had far-reaching and enduring effects on the affected regions, shaping their demographic trajectories and social structures for generations to come.

The quote serves as a poignant reminder of the profound injustices and human suffering inflicted by the transatlantic slave trade, as well as the enduring legacy of this dark chapter in history. It prompts us to confront the harsh realities of the past and to recognize the ongoing repercussions of historical injustices on present-day societal inequities and disparities. Understanding and acknowledging this history is crucial for fostering a more just and equitable future, as well as for honoring the resilience and enduring contributions of those who have been impacted by these injustices.