Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-09
CITY AFFAIRS.
THE FOREIGN TRADE OF RICHMoN,

lHE FOREIGN TRADE OF RICHMOND
luis ety has long been famous as the best tobacco
market IN the Union for the obvious reason that ia
me enIepo' lor the finest tobacco region in the United
safes; Inc l1aiego' and "Haxall" brands are recoe-
i'seo III 'he TOUT markets of the world as No l. TO
use coun'ecia phfase; still, with these two prime
articles OF commerce. we have no SHINING enoaoed in
foreign .sTrue our tobacco and flour finds tb;r
to foreign countries but our merchants derive no benefit
from lis Transmission. They compelled TO look be.
yond the limits of the State for vessels to TRANSPORT their
tooacco to England, France and Germany; whilst our
miners are also forced TO rely upon foreign tonnage in
the transportation OF their -four the South American
"iaihets. lhese vessels owned, equipped, stored
ana manned by citizens of other States; the profits re-
sul'lhg from our foreign trace are not only diverted
OH our people, but are too frequently made TO sub
serve the purpose Of blu ilding up and en1cbug rival
cities in the Northern States Those vessels which
carry our tobacco and -four foreign ports do notre
turn here with the products of foreign cmes-bence
our merchants are forced 10 buy many articles at second
winch they might otherwise procure at first hands Our
guiar importers, too, are subjected to the expense and
delay OF transhipments because we own no vessels ca
paole OF accommodating the foreign trade.
Without stopping now, however, to enu,re into the
causes which have brought about this state of things
we proceed to notice feature in the foreign trade
OF me CITY, which is deemed worthy of attention.
WITHIN the past month or two several British brgs
nave arrived at our wharves, from Halifax Nova Scotia
'aoeh win herring, consigned to Messrs Webb Bacon
" 20. lhese flsl, we learn, compare favourabIy with
uoSe caught IN our own waters, and command ready
SAFE al femunerating prices, on the wharf About $500
bbls have been already inspected and sold here and
we learn mat other cargoes now on the way The
North Carolina fisheries, it is generally conceded
were not as fruitful this season could be desired
hence the impression prevailed to some extent that the
price OF provisions wou Id be somewhat affected bv tho
smallnees OF the catch. This impression will be dis
spated by the heavy arrivals from Halifax But this
Is nor he only beneficial result flowing om this feature
IN inc ofelgn trade OF our city, The people of Halifax
send US sh and purchase dstus in reurneach
vessel having taken return cargo consisting mainly
OF the lower grades OF flour. Thus our merchants
may be said to be douby benefited by the transaction
We have only exchanged our surplus products at re-
munerating prices, for article of prime necessity at
tar price, But in truth, both parties to the exchange
OF products are gamers. We should be the greater
gamers PROFESSIONALLY, by shipping products in our
own vessels, and obtaining return cargo, but as we
nave no VESSELS OF course we must content with
surrender OF the carrying trade TO our Halifax friends
This new branch OF commerce having torcibv illus
raed the necessity of the presence of British Consul
IN our city, 10 facilitate operations learn that app
cation has been made to the Government for the desg
nation OF an officer of that grade and no doubt exists
that an appointment will be speedily made
Whilst the subject of the fish trade we cannot nor
nit the opportunity TO pass without saying word or
two about the new Fish Inspector. Good Wing friends
who have enjoyed the best opportunities of Judging and
who are besides not at all "fshy" themselves, unite in
saying that Mr. Downey discharges his duties with sig
nal fidelity and ability, and that Gov. Floyd on hi,
reiiracy from the OF Staie may elcitate himself
with the reflection that during his reign he made ateast
one good appointment.