Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-10

he aggregate value OF the exports before stated must
he horne In mind however that these values reported
are not ALWAYS the prices realized sales abroad They
are the declared values of the exporters from country
against which bills of exchange usually drawn and
not the prices received actual sales and it is notorious
that the losses the shipments of cotton during
the last wear haye reduced the amount actually realized
by the sales in Europe very far below the oicia value IN
the house retnHs The crop OF the present year
has exceeded that Of the last and will, from its album
dance probably restore the aggregate value to near the
average Of previous years.
The exports of hreadsus and provisions in lS47 were
sos 70l 92l in 7S49 $SS, 1885, 5O1 and in 1851 S2l 94s
COS which latter exceeds the exports of lS40 when the
corn laws of England in full force, only 81 SS ll8
The exports of rice for the last fiscal year. compared
with the previous year. exhibit decrease OF $4609l
ard that Of tobacco decrease OF S69o,S3t The pro-
ducts of planting and agriculture for the past year have
been unusually large. All Europe, with lnconsiderabe
exceptions has been blessed with like abundance; end
without unexpected disturbing causes seriously af
fecting markets abroad there is every to ansc
pate still further decline our exports for the coming
year.
Our total imports for last year amoant to $685.
producing of than forty nine millions of
dollars The balances of trade during that period in adj
don the large amounts of the various stocks of the
country caused export of upwards of twenty nine
millions of specie The export of the precious still
continues, and at rapidly Increasing ratio having
amounted already in the first five months of the current
fiscal year, 27 594 1885, which is nearly equal to the
export for the entire year ending 30th June, 1851.
This increased ratio in the export of specie continues
Notwithstanding the large supply Of foreign exchange pre-
Dictated upon the shipment of the cotton crop which is
rapidly reaching the seaports at the South and is OF
going forward to the European markets in very
large quantities When the bulk of this crop has been
shipped and the supply of cotton bills consequently d
mnshed the export demand for specie will of course be
still further increased unless there ehould DC large
failing off IN the heavy importations of foreign pro-
auctions.
With abundant and plentiful haryests both at home and
abroad with large in the production of cotton
that of the previous years. and its consequent de-
cline in value and with evidences of any increased de-
mand abroad for general exports the grave and diff
cult question of ability to pay for these continued
large mpoatons presents itself for the consideration OF
Congress.
Should the large importation of foreign fabrics continue
increase until they drive from the market the like
tices of domestic manufacture, it follows inevitable
that the labor of people engaged in manufactures
must be driven mainly into planting and farming They
must with equal certainty produce superabundance OF
the latter products with increased market for them
abroad, and greatly diminished demand for them at
home
If this state of things shall be realized it follows that
the ability of the people to purchase foreign commodities
will be destroyed imporations must greatly diminish in
amount and the at sink far below its present
swollen amount 1t should constantly be kept in view
that system of revenue not compulsory but depends
solely the voluntary contributions of the people If
citizens refuse, unable to purchase foreign
goods the almost solely relied musteease
and the Government be driven direct taxation for its
annual support and the ultimate liquidation of large
public debt.
From these considerations arises the great duty Of Con-
gress regulate foreign commerce. if possible, to
cherish that labor at home the proceeds Of which
sole reliance the indispensable to the wants
of the Government
respectfully refer the suggestions this subject in
my report to the last session of Congress The expe
rcnce of the last year has developed facts which in
duee question the proprety of the changes in the
present tariff laws which then submitted to Congress
On the contrary information derived from the rea-
BILE sources has confirmed what then anticipated.
Much of the cotton formerly wrought into fabrics by
labor abroad, to
Us for sale in form vastly augmented in value, and
that extent the labor of citizens has been dmn
ished in value and driven into other pursuits.
The history Of iron manufacture for the last few years
furnishes instructive lesson to the statesmen Of this
country This article enters into such general every
occupation of life in all countries advanced beyond the first
step of civilization that il may well take rank among the
necessaries of life in this country.
The importaons of bar and pig iron for the year ending
Both September, 1872 were 100,055 tons
The estimated production in the United
States for that period 100000
Making an aggregate consumption of 88o,O55
Or 400 pounds per head
In 1916 the importations were 765, 900
and the production estimated at 69,625 .
Consumption S84,625
Or 90 lbs per head. -
In 1913 the mportations were 1887
and the production 100000 "
Consumption 958,877
Or 993 bs per head.
In lS49 the importations 260,087
the production 650,000
Consumption 93a6S7
Or 95s lbs per head
In 1850 the importatons were 337, 532 I"
the production $4,000
Consumption 901,532 "
Or S6s lbs per head.
In 1851 the importations were 341,75
the production $4,000
Consumption 754 $50
Or 693 lbs. per head
Thus perceive that the actual consumption of IRON
which, under high duties and prices was steadily aug
mentng in quantity is under the present reduced rates
both in duties and prices gradually falling off notwih-
standing the increase Of population and the great extern
sion of our farming interests
That this great interest is in most depressed condition
the foregoing comparative production being for the pre-
sent year less than onehaf the capacity of the works
sufficiently atests From the evidence furnished to this
Department is clear that the rolling mills the charcoal
furnaces and FORCES utterly unable to produce iron
at the prices at which il is now imported During the
last year many establishments were enabled to survive
only by carrying the iron the high stages of manufac-
ture the making Of nails and forged work At the
present time the prices below the cost Of production
II the present policy continues we must witness in n
short time the total prostraton Of this industry which
once destroyed, will require many years to replace
we shall become dependant upon foreign countries for the
indispensable Of the muniments of war
| with HE II