The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-25
FOREIGN coMMERcE on FRANCE.

nothngs and black repubhcahs.
FOREIGN COMMERCE OF FRANCE.
The Courier des Eats Jis of the 23d inst condenses
from the Moateur the official statistics of the foreign
commerce of France during the first four months of
1857, from which it win be seen that notwithstand-
ing the political connections which have of late agi
tatcd the French empire, its commercial movements
exhibit steady and satisfactory progress. We give
the results as we find them summed up in this excel
lent journal.
From the first Of January to the thirtieth of April
the duties levied on merchandise imported into
France amounted to 81 S40664 francs equal to Sll,-
56s l33 During the corresponding period of 1856
the duties amounted to 52,5S7,2T2 francs equal to
$lO,5l7 454 and in 1855 to 53,S54, SOC francs,
sIO,7I096l. This shows an increase in favor of 1857
of 81 O5O $40 over 1856 and of $797 lT2 1855.
In the above total for 1857 the month of April alone
figures for 100000 francs, or $4,000 600, showing
an increase over the returns for the month of
1856 of nearly 100000 francs, and of 100000
francs over those of 1855 The receipts for March,
1857 were 1864, 1902 francs equal to $3, l92,9s0.
The principal articles of importation which con-
tributed to this increase in the customs receipts
Wines brandes spirits of 36 degree, cereals, hemp,
flax, foreign sugars, &c. Upon wines the duties
reached 339,656 francs, three times as much
as were levied on the same articles during the first
four months of 1856, and 10000 francs more than
the amount of wine duties in 1855. Spirits, 80
which produced no customs revenue in former years.
Yielded since the first of January, 1851 1l2,72I
francs The augmentation in the duties on cereals
although quite considerable fell far short of the in
crease in those derived from wines and alcohols.
The great progress which naval architecture has ex
perenced of late in France is felt in the commerce
of particular articles Thus of the total quantity of
the different descriptions of hemp imported into the
empire during the first four months of the present
year total of rs 1856 merical quintas leach qun-
tai equals 220 pounds were declared to be destined
for purposes of naval construction. To this may be
added 1854 metrical quintals of bar iron, 9,sl7
metrca quintals of copper of first fusion, and 49,
TAG metrca quntals of unwrought iron imported for
the same destination.
The exports present during the same period in
general satisfactory results but the augmentation
in the different articles is not very considerable. The
increase falls chiefly on cattle, tissues of wool and
cotton, machines and machinery, precious metals,
tons, glass, and crystals
The condition of the entrcp0ts exhibits considera-
bly, less activity than during the period in
either of the preceding years The consumption tax
on salt shows continuous progress since 1854, as
follows during the first four months of 1854, $780,,
900 francs; during the same period in 1855, 9000-
600 francs in 1856 10, 100000 francs and in 1857
l0, 100000 francs.
The navigation movements, including vessels en-
tered and cleared exhibit considerable progress and
indicate the development of principle sanctioned
by experience, namely: that of giving larger dimen-
sions to vessels constructed in French shipy yards
Thus while the number of vessels under the French
flag which entered during the first four months Of
1857 was less than that entered in the corresponding
period of 1856, the aggregate tonnage much
larger. In 1857 the number of vessels was 1852,
measuring an aggregate of 460, 554 tons while in
1856 the number of vessels 2 $50, with dimin-
ished total tonnage of 4O,l7l tons. With foreign
vessels the different The increase in ton
mage does not show an equal proportion to that of
vessels. From the LIST Of January to the Both of
April the total number of vessels entered French
ports 1880, measuring aggregate of l325 ITO
tons; and 8, 3l9 cleared with an aggregate tonnage
of 800, 276 tons. Both the arrivals and departures
exceeded those of the preceding two years.
In Analysing the statistics of French trade we are
struck with the anomalous condition to which the
French flag is subjected nits ports and even in
the share assigned to it in its carrying trade.
The disproportion between French and foreign yes
sells during the period under review is even larger
than usual Thus
Vessels entered French ports during dc first four months Of 1857
Vessels. Tons
! Foreign --------5 09S S64 462
National -- ---------------2 $50 Acc, 554
Difference in favor of foreign vessels-2 4I6 4O3 sOs
| As VIC have observed on former occasions this
will continue to be the long as exploded the
cries and antiquatcd systems control the policy Of
! French commercial legislation.