Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-01
@ottst,teteiar.
From the Albany Arg1as.
BALANCE OF TRADE.

1t has been stated, that the exports into the
port of Boston, during the last year, amounted
to fifty millions of dollars, and those TO the port
of New-York to fifty millions. Put down the
appropriations to all the other ports in the union
at what they were to Boston and New-York,
which is probably too low, and We have AN aggre-
gate of TWO HUNDRED AND FOUR MILLIONS
Our total exports, during the same period a
mounted to only ffiy.six millions, leaving an ex-
cess of imports, over our exports, in one year, of
one hundred and Jorty-eight millions Of dollars.
To make familiar the consequences which must
result from this, suppose farmer raises for sale
produce and stock which brings him one thou
sand dollars per year and buys. in the same
time, Of the merchant, goods for consumption
to the amount of four Thousand dollars it re-
quires no great mathematical calculation to de-
monstrate, that this man is rapidly going do.un
dill as the prompter says, and that he must either
retrench his expenses, or soon become bankrupt.
So with nation. Experience will demonstrate,
if it has not already satisfied the nation of the
fact, that the vast importations OF foreign goods
have tended infinitely more to embarrass and I'M
poverish the country, than all the embargoes and
non-ntercourse Laws which we experienced du-
ring the war.
One year ago, we predicted the evils which are
now felt in every part of our country, in conse-
quence of this enormous fiux ofo foreign goods.
The evil has not yet attained its height and it
requires much prudence and circumspection on
the part of the merchant and his customers, to
sustain the shock. So long as peace continues
iiEurope, the staple productions of the northern
states cannot find permanent market abroad,
except at very reduced prices. Europe will raise
her own provisions. Indeed, we find that beef
butter and potatoes of Ireland are already COM
peting with the same productions of our own in
the American market. In fact it may be assum-
med as truth, and the sooner the fact is realized
will depreciate one third, or one half in value,
from the average prices which they have borne
for the last twenty years and consequently the
ability of the farmer to buy will decrease inmore
than a propotionate ratio. Prudence therefore
admonishes correspondent curtailment of ex-
pences and those who disregard her monitions,
must reap the fruits of their imprudence. Arti-
Giles of household and domestic Manufacture
must be substituted for foreign fabrics we must
encourage American instead of European mocha
nics and barter for their goods those productions
of the soil which can no longer find a merket or
a price abroad. Our fashions and our expences
must be conformed to our means and the int.
rests of our country.
Per the Kentucky Belle, arrived at W York
BORDEAUX, April 3, 1916.
Since three days past, Cottons are much de.
Inantled, and have risen to the rates quoted, and
there is every reason to presume, will ere long
experience further rise. Sea Island, you'll OBJ
serve, sells at good prices.
HAVANA Sugars sell readily in entrepot, free
of duties, at 70 to IS flor brown, and 80 to 1917
per or. for white; Brazil clayed sells S to 8fPer
Or, less.
Porto Rico and Havana Coifees in entrepot
80 to 81 centmes per lib
Pot and pearl ashes are much wanted we
have none at market.
Hides and Peltry Of current sale at the quota
tons.
We are glutted with Cod Fish, Ga ruinous ar
tcle,) Fustic, Lignumvits, Logwood, Mahoga
ny and Rice.
Silk Goods have fallen at the manufactures 4,
nearly the rates they were al last spring, owing
to the little or no demand for foreign countries
Brandies, owing to the same cause, have furthe
declined since our last.
No freights can be procured from this to an,
ports in the United States.
Prices Current at BordeauS, the 7th .4Pril 1916