Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-07
PROS ECTS OF TRADE.

We stated few days since that the prospects
of an improvement in the business of he coun-
try were beginning to manifest themselves in
various sections of the country. We are now
gratified to perceive that this opinion is confirm
ed by that Of Mr.. Appleton of Boston, one Of the
soundest and most sagacious merchants in the
country. In the early part of the winter. the
Secretary Of the Treasury, in obedience to an
order from the House of Representatives ad-
dressed circulars to the collectors of the rcve.
nue., in which he requested the opinions of the
prominent mercantile men on several points re.
latng to the Commerce Of the Union. Among
the objects Of the inquiry were the probable
amount Of imports during the present and ensu-
ing year, aud the expediency Of establishing
ware. house system. Among those who at the
request of the Collector of the port of Boston,
furnished answers to the inquiries of the Sec
rotary, was Mr.. Appleton, and we find by his
letter which is published in the Daily Adverti-
ser, that he believed the period Of slagnaton
and depression has nearly reached its term lie
says, "The country is not in debt Abroad
Large crops are in the process Of finding mar
ket which even at the present low prices, pre-
pare the way for an increased consumption. A
great check upon Importation has existed for six
months and the stock Of foreign goods is by no
means excessive.
| 1t is inevitable that very considerable i'm.
provement in trade should take place during the
first l,alf Of the year lS43.
The importa,ons, however, during this period
will be moderate; but the year commencing
with july le43. will doubtless be one Of ave.
rage activity, and the imporlftons of foreign
merchandise reach their average amount, which
] should estimate at l20,OO0,OO0. From the i'm.
ports into New York and Boston, with which
have been furnished, suppose the whole i'm.
port Of merchandise into the United States lex.
elusive Of specie) will not exceed $35,00OOOO
for the last half Of the present year, 1912, on
which the nett revenue will not probably vary
much from S0,0OOO0O. The imports for the
six months ending 30th June, lS43, will,
600 to 45,OOO,0OO, which should give revenue
of from SlOOOO,000 to $l2,OOOOOO."
Mr.. Abbott Lawrence, another merchant ant
manufacturer, was also addressed by the colec
tor at Boston. From his reply we make the fol
lowing extract:
1The causes for low prices may be found il
large stocks on hand after the passage of the tar
if. Many persons imported goods in anticipa
ton Of higher duties /; and others, from Franc,
} England, were brought in under the expecta
: ton Of low duties or no duties at all. Their
9 has been, too, severe disappointment in tn
amount of business done the present season.
Inc demand from the NOuth ana west has bee
/ very small, and the Middle and Northern State
9 much less than was anticipated. These cause
have produced general depression, which tim
only can relieve.
: am inclined to believe that those larg
!. stocks Of merchandise will have cleared off b
i the first Of July next, when importations wi
. then be free, and the revenue gradually ncrea.
o ed to the end Of the year. l should not deem
safe to estimate the revenue for the first half ye;
!. at more than three fihs of the amount of III
IS corresponding period of the last year; and f
% the year ending on the Both of June, 1874,
q should estimate the revenue at $24,OO0,OO0.-
70 At this period, ! have no doubt that a larg,
~ amount will be realized"
9, With the opinions Of Messrs. Appleton al
m Lawrence, our business men generally concu
er we believe, in all our chief commercial Cite
u II, therefore, their antcipaiions shall be rea
n. zed, we may look forward to return of bett
~ times" during the next six months, so far as Il
Of general business of the country is concerned.
a. There are some sections, however, in wifi
p p the revvalof business will probably be pos,po
r. ed to more distant date.