Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-20

III may be OBJECTED tnat the advantages which
these tabular results seem TO show IN favor OF France
are still increased by the nature OF the exchanged
products, since those sent TO France consist mostly
of primitive materials while France sends in return
n large quantity OF manufactured articles But il
is important 10 notice. according TO the above table
that this last circumstance has largely contributed
10 ensure TO the American expectation i,s almost
constant and regular increase since twenty years:
that che only decrease in this importation was in
1881; that, in 1887, 80 per cent larger than
the French eXportaton and that, from 1925 to 1885
It increased from IL millions TO IOl; increase equal
10 l46. per cent.
"Ouring that time, the French exports have been
submitted TO the most abrupt variations as well in
increase as IN decrease. From 1882 TO 1885, It went
from 50 millions up 10 l07, to fall back again in
1887, from So millions 10 s.. The l59 millions TO
which II amounted IN 1886 and the 800 IN 1888, but
particularly the hrst, may be considered as unusual
being TO great degree the result Of the eKtraordi
nary impulse given TO the commercial intercourse
with Europe by the establishment Of local banks in
the different States Of the Union, and the facility
afforded 10 the to get rid Of their own pa
per. And THIS impulse may be considered as the
source Of all the loss sustained by the French COM
Iuerce in the liquidation Of this unusual expectation.
Ind at the present time, like IN 1887 the reaction
of this system again felt in the U. States will ere
ate, and has already crented notable reduction in
their importation from France for 1889 and 1910
Notwithstanding these observations, It we take as
a regular term Of comparison the amount Of French
sent moment. ii has only been increased from %
millions TO 1870; that IS, 25 per cent.
moreover, the French expectation is diminish
ing, while that from America IS in progress; and
though the difference in favor Of France be still s.
per cent, the Americans have in fact derived more
profit than the French
"But II is important 10 mention one fact, showing
that the difference in favor Of the French eKpora-
ton IS FAR from being disadvantage to tbs Ameri-
cans II ", that most Of the products shipped from
Nnrf ln0 a a. IL.
be considered as forming part Of the American i'm
ports from France.
Indeed, II VIC take the amount of the expectation
Of 1888, though better one might be used 10
strengthen TINS argument, We would find that the
consumption Of French products amounting TO J2O
millions Of francs, for population Of ~ millions
Of souls, would make the annual consumption Of
articles Of Fronch industry or production iy each
Inhabtant equal 70 ~ francs, while the whole Of the
French expectation 10 Europe, which amounts Ia
293 millions Of francs Tor population Of 2I3 mil
Lions OF souls, makes tho consumption Of the sam,
products by each lnhabItant, equal 10 only iran,
30 confines.
"Tho relative wealth Of the American consumer
does not afford a sufficient explanation Of this YER,
great difference. sufficient reason for Il canno
he found, either in the state Of American industry
which IN TACT IS very iirirom standing out Of com
petition with that Of Europe, i.s annual production
having been valued at no less than 800 millions o
dollars. To account, then, for this enormous difis
renee, Il Is necessary 10 admit not only (what i
otherwise ascerIaiaed) that part Of the French pro
ducts are merely deposited in the United States, Il
be reshipped for other countries Of the same Hem
sphere such as Mexico, Colombil, Central Repub
DC, Venezuela, Ecuajor, New Grenada, &C.. bu
moreover, that Il is done for a large amount. III
Americans, IN furnishing out Of their own import
these naions who possess but little or no nav,
with an important part Of the products Of Franc,
have, besides the profit Of navigation, all the ben,
~ Of the commerce Of deposit and Of transit an
even the gains on commercial speculation. Tn
state Of things is very unfavorable 20 France, an
annhates the advantages expected by her as
consequence Of her treaties Of commerce and nav
CATION with the New States Of South America
"Another grievance expressed by the America
Government 10 based upon the assertion that
duty exceeding so per cent is levied by Fam
upon the primitive materials coming from the
States.
ct is easy to prove how erroneous is this eSe
lfi6p.
sIa 1883, France exported 10 the United Stat
about ~ millions OF francs worth OF natural pr
duets, and'lgr about 1914 millions Of manulactur
articles; Amounting in al 10 100 millions. The
lowing list giSsS he principle articles, eiassed acc
ding 70 tbeir importance