Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-23
COMMERCE OF THE srAGxs


published. At page $50 Of this publication we find
a table exhibiting the commerce of each State and
Territory )" and from this table we learn that the
exports of South Carolina were $126ss, s91-of
Virginia. 81, ,329-and of North Carolina $433,-
818. This table exhibits only the expectations to
foreign countries from the ports of each State with
out reference to the origin of the produce; and of
course gives no account of the trade between the
States of which the Custom Houses take no note
Yet this official Treasury Report is very generally
referred TO, as TO the Atlantic and Gulf States at
least, as indicating the absolute and comparative pro-
ductions and resources of these Sates and at pres
ent there is no where embodied the means of cor.
recting the erroneous impressions thus made.
We concur with Mr.. Branch, that if it is impor-
ant that the general government should collect and
publish such information in regard to the commerce
of the United States with foreign nations, it equal
ly important that each State should collect and pub.
lsh similar information in relation to the commerce
between itself and the other States of the Union
This is especially incumbent State like ours,
whose land-locked coast co.npels it to seek outlets
for large portion of its productions through the
ports of adjacent States.
If no report on the subject was published or il,
like the interior States Of Tennessee and Kentucky,
We were left blank its pages, then might safe
ly trust to the sagacity of persons interested in
knowing our resources, to get at least approx
mate idea of them from such sources as they might
select. But with such statements, annually going
out from the government, unexplained ami uncon-
tra;ctcd it is not surprising that even well mean
ing persons, strangers to our State are often i'm
pressed with the belief that only productions
tar, pitch, turpcntihe, ticks. and tadpoles TO
be cterna'y telling that his coat is shabby
and his brooches ragged, is bad enough; but to pa
rade him periodically, along side his well dressed
neishLors, and talk about dress. and wealth. and
poverty, when those nc;shbors have borrowed all
his best clothes, is imposing rather too much his
good nature
We protest against these Treasury statements be-
ing any longer permitted to so on. to the public,
without accompanying statements showing how
much of the exports of Virginia and South Carolina
have been furnished by North Carolina. The Coun-
ties of Granville, Warren and Franklin alone, send
to Petersburg for expectation produce exceeding in
value the sum set down in the table referred to as
the total exports of the State. How much goes to
Virginia and South Carolna-to say nothing of New
York aud Baitimorc-through the Dismal Swamp
Canal over the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad,
over Ocracoke bar, from Beaufort, from Washing
ton, from the Cape Fear region, down the Pedee,
the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad,
and over the Richmond and Danville Railroad, we
have no means of forming an idea evcn-but all
know the amount to be enormous. Our naval stores
it is known, are exceedingly valuable and in pro-
ductions of this kind far ahead of any other
State; but then there the great staples of cotton
tobacco, wheat, and corn, of which we export so
largely coastNse, and which sent by Railroad to
swell the exports and the wealth of Petersburg Nor
folk, and Chareston-no account, Of course, being
taken Of them in the table Of exports of this State.
1t is hardly necessary that should point out
the injurious effects which such exhibits, unex-
planned and uncontradctcd, must have the char
acter of North Carolina These effects must be OBJ
vious to every rejecting mind. 1t is due to the
State, and especially due to her credit as borrower
of money, with which prosecute and complete her
system of internal improvements, that some steps
should be taken to set forth, at stated periods her
resources, her productions ana her varied elements
OF wealth and power. This can be easily and cheap
ly done. Let every transportation company in the
State be required to make annual returns to the
TreaSurcrs Comptfo:lcrs Office, of the quantity
kind, and value Of produce carried Of the State
and from towns the scaboard returns little less
exact could be procured from intelligent merchants
Let these returns be transmitted by the Governor
the Legislature, and let them be published for the
information of all. Returns of this Sort if carefully
made would show that North Carolina is not behind
either Virginia South Carolina in the extent and
| value of her productions and such exhibits, while
they would tend. in financial point of view, to add
strength to our credit in the Judgment of distant
communities, would at the same time crafty Just
and becoming pride among our people, and serve to
bind them still more firmly to the soil and to the for
| tunes Of North-Carolina. Let it be done North
Carolina is modest State; her public men have
never claimed for her the consideration and respect
while her character for modesty for sincerity, and
for simplicity is preserved, she is at the time
just to her own citizens, and to herself not only in
developing her resources, but in making these re.
sources known the world in such manner as that
others may not deprive her of the. credit and the
consideration which result from their possession
We are not assaing either Virginia South Caro-
lima only claiming what is due to our own
State, and suggesting the means by which she may
secure for herself, both at home and abroad Just
estimate of her great and varied resources.
| STATE TAXES.
We have just printed number of blanks for the
Comptroller of State, to be sent to the different clerks
to make their returns on and the following abstract
OF articles taxed, with the amount of taxes them
0Gok1 H.