The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-05
Importations or Dry Goods.

The importations of dry goods at the port of New
York are increasing in remarkable degree, as
compared with the importations of the correspond
ing period Of last year. The importatlons for the
month Of January, 1851, showed an increase Of
$2,0SS, 1892 those of january, 1885, the stats
tics of imported dry goods for February exhibited
a similar increase of s l,296,a25; the month Of
March, just passed, compared with the CORE
spending month of last year, shows an increase of
$l,546,S74.
Here is aggregate increase for the first quarter
of the present year the first quarter of last
year, in the importatons Of dry goods at the port
of New York, Of $4.932,l9l
The greatest increase has been in silks. For the
first quarter of 1850 the silks imported at New
York amounted in value to $5,449, 430-a large
increase itself over the importations of the first
quarter of l849. But the first quarter of 1851 shows
an aggregate OF imported silks to the value Of
$8,463, 0l5-an increase over the importations of
the first quarter of 1850 Of $3,0l3, 565.
We may we'll call this an extraordinary exhibit
How does it happen that we are importing 80 large
ly of fabrics which minister to luxury! Have we
such surplus of domestic products that after hav
ing supplied ourselves with all necessary and
full articles, large superflux remains, which we
can afford to etsha1ge for things which please the
from basis of competency. with all debts paid,
and to indulge in elegant and costly uxuries such
as may be commanded only by superabundant
means: III we are paying ior theSc nne ana Ocau-
tful fabrics receive them, aud if we are pay
ing for them by = fair exchange Of our own pro-
ducts then it ia all very well. Industry meets in
dustry-each upon its own basis of independence,
and both profit by tho intercourse.
But If we are receiving the fine fabrics Of France
while we do not return equivalent in the pro-
ducts Of our own industry, there will be balance
to be made up this side of the water; and it APP
pears that such q balance has grown up against u.s.
and that we arc paying it OF In specie, after hav
ing exported stocks and bonds to the full satisfac-
ton of the foreign market, where they are held
ready to be thrown back upon for redemption
at the frat panic. The amount Of specie shipped
from NeiD York during the last soeek 02O,155.
The Journal Of Commerce, which gives the forc.
going statement of importations of dry goods at
New York, thinks that circumstances which will
affect the fall trade favorable for further heavy
sands to Europe, including many from the interior,
who will each make small purchases to import on
his own account. If the regular importers should
also bring out their usual quantity, the increase
which has marked the dry good importations of
the first quarter of the present year, those of
the corresponding period of 1850, will be likely to
distinguish also the last quarter in similar man
ncr Men of business, of course, will know how
to regulate their dealings under these circum-
stanccs-those who are prudent, and especially
those who have had experience of former CONNER
cial revusions, brought on by excessive importa-
tons. The reactive effect, however, which the
present course Of trade must have upon the cur
rency OF the country, persisted in, ia of those
consequences which, if it should come, would
spread the disaster of a rcvulsion far beyond the
sphere of those whom mere commercial revulsion
might affiict. 1t would not be the rash importer
or trader in foreign goods who alone would feel
the shock; for when the currency is shaken the
oppressive force of the blow extends throughout
the whole country, affects all pursuits, and unset
ties all kinds of property Baltimore american.