[PeaRidge]

The “claim” to which you are referring is that, in given years, the percentage of Southern exports of total US exports was 70-85%.

This meant that, if there were very little specie going to Europe, then southern exports were being used as the “currency” to buy European goods that were then shipped back to this country.

In 1860, the total amount of specie available in Northern banks was not enough to finance 20% of the next year's imports if Southern goods no longer were shipped out from the North.

Without southern exports, the entire trade/tariff program, that totally financed the US government would come to a halt.

[Non-Sequitur]

In 1860, the total amount of specie available in Northern banks was not enough to finance 20% of the next year's imports if Southern goods no longer were shipped out from the North.

And yet in 1863 there was enough specie available to fund enough imports to generate over $100 million in tariffs. Where did it come from?

Without southern exports, the entire trade/tariff program, that totally financed the US government would come to a halt.

Then why didn't it?