The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-08

We published on Thursday morar in the ap
proprate column the statistics of the trade OF
this port for the past four months We now
propose to make a few remarks upon the les
cons they teach.
During the past four months-January, Feb
ruary, March and April-New York took from
foreign countries less than one-balf the quantity
of goods which ahe took during the same months
of last year. The diminution Of imports &C.
tually exceeds forty-six millions for tho four
months, as the following figures show
Imports for first four months Of 1853. s!lsesl4o
10 90. lsSI........ s6,eeS, eSs
At this rate of diminution, our importation
for the year would fall short of that of last
year by over sl2O,oOo.OOO, all Of which would
be so much saved to the country. Lastyear, it
will be remembered, the difference between our
imports and exports was but couple of mil
lions Of dollars; this year, at this rate, it would
be over hundred millions in our favor.
This supposes that our exports are not going
to fall of. At present the only thing which
looks like falling of in this quarter is the low
price of breadstuffs. Should this continue as
it seemingly must, the amount placed to our
credit by our sales of breadstuffs would be
less than il was last year. Perhaps however
the quantity taken may be larger. Certain
it is that in every other point of view the
prospect is favorable for az abundant an ex-
port as we had last year. Our exports from
this port for the month Of April were the
largest we ever had in tina. month. For the
first four months of the year they are behind
those Of last year and the year previous, as
shown by the following table; but there were
obvious causes for this, and it is pretty certain
that the slight difference against this year will
soon be overcome
Exports of hrss four months Of 1855. sso q.
Do do 1857. 4S4
no. do, 1858 90 ,ll2
There is now rapidly coming forward the un-
usually large surplus of last years crop of
breadstuffs; which the revulsion induced the
farmers to hold back, and the near prospect of
another good crop now compels them to send
our exports. And the promising prospect of a
revival in the foreign demand for cotton will
leave us as bare of that staple as anyone need
desire.
The movement in specie appears large for
the past four months The three years compare
as follows:-
pGT, of specie for first four months Of 1855
Do. DO do 1888. es76.olo
But it must be borne in mind that tlisyear, in
consequence of the revulsion, we shipped specie
at season when, in ordinary times, the cotton
bills amply suffice for the demands of re-
mitters. Our specie export for the ten months
which have elapsed of the current United
States fiscal year only exceeds that of the cor
responding period of the previous fiscal year
by about q million of dollars; though the
former includes all the enormous shipments
which were caused by the rcvulsion. At pre-
sent, as every one knows, the specie drain to
Europe has ceased. Now and then there is
6tful speculation in exchange, and a half threat
that gold will 60 abroad; but every one who
studies the tables given above must see that this
is impossible. We regard the fact, on the
whole, as unsatisfactory; the most so of any
that the horizon presents. If We could get rid
of como Ten UT twelve millions of the idle gold
which is lying in our bank Golfers, it might give
an impetus to trade.
On the whole, the commercial scene promises
we'll. In a commercial point of view the coun-
try never was so strong as IL il now The same
thing may be said individually of the bulk of
the surviving mercantile firms; they have re.
duced their liabilities to mere nominal figure,
and are prepared to start afresh on q solid basis.
4hnca vbn 1ov roo4
lively stronger than they were before they lost
it; as now, they can lose nothing having no out
standing claims whereas, then they might have
lost even more than they have. Notwithstand-
ing this strength, however, there is no reason
to suppose that the year will be otherwise than
very dull. IT is apparent that nothing will in
duce the merchants 10 embark In fresh specula-
tions at present; merchandise of the most nc.
cessary kind is now every day below the cost
Of importation without attracting attention
from purche ers. Until it is seen how the West is
roingto settle las, year'sdebts there will be but
little inclination on the port Of merchants here
TO help create new ones What business is done
this year is likely to be quiet limited, and safe
No one can expect to make much money; but q
very sound foundation can be laid for fresh
era of excitement and commercial activity next
year. OF all parties, capitalists and banks are
likely to suffer the most Money promises TO be
plentiful here in June at three and four per
cent; and it seems quite certain that except in
the stock market there win be no employment
for the whole Of what We have, even at those
low rates.
THE MAYoR's CABINET CorScu~-As might
have been expected, the meeting of the heads of
departments, which the Mayor called at his
Office on Thursday, resulted in nothing at all.
If the Mayor, or any one else, is vcrdant enough
TO suppose that the heads Of departments acting
nlnnosi indnnnndenflu nc fheu do nnpr .rlI .naIra