The Washington union., 1857-05-05
THE FOREIGN ooMMERcE OF FRANCE IN 1885,

NJ. Leon Chemin Dupontes, one Of the abest statis-
tical writer's in France has contributed to the Febru
airy number Of the Journal des Eoonomises published
in Paris leading article on the foreign of
the empire during the past year, under the title of
Commerce Eateiem de Ia France en- 1856" AS the
official "TdJleau General for this year will not be
published before August or September, and may not
reach this country before the close of the year, it
affords us the greater pleasure thus early to spread
before our commercial readers, whose claims upon
our columns we shall always take pleasure in thus
recognising well-written an epitome of the COM
mercal movements of France during the past year,
bility to present 30 graceful and spirited writer
NJ Dupontcs in the elegant and attractive style in
which he appears in the original French
'.Ihe movements of foreign in 1856 ex-
perenced slight falling of when compared with those
Of ls55-a result which will be received without surprise
when we consider that the unfavoabe circumstances
which in 1855 oppressed the industrial resources OF
France, also felt among the other causes which
checked to extent our progress in 1856 Not the
least among these the nundations which desolaed
the most fertile portions of France cntaling additional
burdens upon Inflated agricultural population. To
this we may add the monetary crisis which also exered
baneful influence on the movements of commerce All
things considered the year 1885, without too the bene-
universal exhibition. which contributed so much
to the prosperity of 1855 may DO regarded good
average year. The amount of duties derived from inn
ports of special or consnmption) sufficiently
attess this fact TIA millions of francs far from in
dicatng any general decline. This amount 1t il true
falls some sixteen millions under that of the preceding
year. but we take into account the tariff
reductions, especially in respect to many important art
ces which were effected in the of 1885, and
going at the present moment Thus, without dwell
ing longer variations in import duties, which at
| -, 49,.
or less activity in foreign exchanges shall
proceed to sketch rapidly possible the movements of
imports which entered into the consumption of 1856
" A comparative examination of tho articles the impor-
tation OF which largely in of that of the pre-
cedng year will give additional force to the observation
Just made respecting custom house receipts Mahogany
hemp bar and cast iron, and wool if judged by the
amount Of duties which they yielded would appear to
have suffered dimnution, WHILE estimating them by
the quantities actually imported they show increase
in regard to of these articles of 1876 per cent
10000 metrcal quntalso in 1855, to $4,000 in 1856
This applies especially to hemp cordage &C., 49,
900 quintas of which, being destined for pbuding
admitted under the benefits accorded by the decree
of October H. 1855 The contrast between large mpor
taons and small import revenues is also strkingy shown
in the article of wrought and bar iron OF total mpor
taon of COZ 900 quintas 229 400 destined for
val construction and 900 for railroad purposes So
also respect to wools which show dimnuton in u-
ties of G,30000O francs, but augmentation in the
quantities imported of $40, 900 kiogmmmes.
"Wo could enumerate many other articles which
hbit decided increase 1855 Coal theagent which
revoutonzes and transforms everything; wrought and
bar iron tin refined salt; hemp; wool cotton,
Of which 76l 900 metrical quintas imported in 1855
against S42 900 in 1885, (lS5 6GO 900 pounds J
aud other seeds which SO largely into soap
ufacturcs. Linen and yarns show like increase and
cereals though in respect to this latter article cannot
congratulate readers upon the increase because the
money expended in their purchase is much diverted
from our own industry. The consumption of grains,
which in 1855 5000 900 metrcl luinals, reached
in 1856 over !, ,000, 900.
e scarcity of provisions drew the attention of the
government to the danger of systematic prohibitions
Their injurious effect excmplied in this article of
grains another example given in the disastrous
spread Of the vine disease, 6dium Spirits it is known
is made not only from molaes, but also from various
alimentary products. Thus, considerable quantity of
of the chief agricultural products the potato the
staple bread of the laborng casseswas diverted from
purposes of food in consequence of the excessive price Of
spirits consequent upon the scarcity of wines This
ton of things moderated by decree permitting the
introduction OF spirits called So Sl.4G7 hectoltres
were imported from which the treasury derived tho
of l,466 900 francs Cochinea and silk are in the
Der of articles which exhibit increase 1855. The
deficiency in the production Of silk gives this article much
importance We shall therefore show the imports of 1856
compared with those of 1855:
1855 1856
Silk, raw, thrown &C., motr quintas 81, 400 36d27
"There remain few other articles which come under
the category raw taow sheep, and fresh and salt
meats The number of sheep imported in 1855 309
900 head against 326 900 head in 1856, showing in
of II 900 head AS respects fresh and salt meats
of import to be specially noticed We therefore present
statement exhibiting their importation for consumption
during period of five years
dammit