The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-26
Talk or Change.

At the meeting on Change yesterday, tho steamship
Asia was reported to be below which, usual had the
effect of checking operations in trade to extent
There was conversation regarding the condition of
our foreign trade with the island Of Cuba and also with
Brasil.
In the former case 1t considered that govern
ment should make greater exertons for the admission Of
-four and other American produce on more favorable
terms. While are large consumers Of Cuba sugars
and molasses tobacco, &c, which admitted at low
duty, the Spanish tariff American -four is enormous
and indeed, almost prohibitory Hence with million Of
inhabitants living within five days sail Of u.s. they take
no -four worth naming. As England sends them no
-four to compete with that of old Spain, her manu-
features entered at . lower tax than that i'm
posed -four, and balance of trade is rolled
up against us which we have to adjust by payments
in specie, or by bills drawn ON London in favor of
Spaniards to in payment Of debts due to England
Our trade with Brazil is much worse footing still
We admit her immense supplies Of coffee into the United
States duty Free while she taxes heavily all American
produce shipped to that country The English have al
most the entire monopoly of the Brazilian markets for
manufactured goods. Consequently the system works
thus:-Brazn purchases her supplies Of crockery hard
cotton, and other goods from England. The coffee
she raises to for them she sends to duty free and
demands from either specie bills London to pay
her English creditors sterling bills rule above the
value of specie, to leave profit its export it
must leave to settle discounts between Brazil and
England. The effect, indirectly, trade Is pretty
much equivalent to the admission Of English goods to tho
amount directly into the United States duty Free
the pay ments for which would be demanded in bills on
London or in specie. Merchants generally in favor
Of greater reciprocity, and think il would be wise ia
Congress to levy tax Brazilian Coffee something in
proportion to the taxes she exacts American produce
taken by her. Indeed many merchants are decidedly in
An old and experienced merchant said, that while tea
taxed in England and other countries it being ad.
ted free into the United States caused all inferior and
refuse lots to be shipped for ths market hence
he found good teas, and especially black, exceeding
scarce, and often difficult to procure for family
Whereas moderate duty imposed it would compel
importers to introduce teas Of better quality Should
the be not required the duties other articles
coming from countries where American produce
lightly taxed should be reduced below the present high
rates.
Men selected for foreign missions merchants think
should be well grounded in the laws which govern trade
and well posted in the great national business of
mercial and foreign intercourse generally.
1t was thought that side issues should direct the
public mind from urging the necessary city reforms The
suffering population Of great city have nothing to do
with, and little nothing about, the private dis
putes and guarrels Of individuals.