Consider also the longer sailing times from New Orleans to Europe versus New York to Europe.
Also, look at the population map. You'd have more customers in the East accessible by rail, than in the South or Europe.
Thanks to cotton, New Orleans had been a major US export port for decades, but the much lower level of imports was likely a sign of structural conditions that would take more than a difference in tariffs to remedy.
Not so much of an issue if you are unloading goods and reloading up with Cargo. Especially at a 13% tariff rate as opposed to a 45% tariff rate.
Chopping off all the protectionist laws imposed by the North would have transformed trade and which ports would suddenly see massive growth.
Of course you would. The Industrial Revolution was on.
Passage through to the Gulf was being blocked.
I appreciate your honesty in understanding the value of being first in all things monetary, regardless of the time.
It is the true assessment of power.
To say the North in power gave a rats ass about slaves is ridiculous in every form.