Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-18
Fall Trade Prospects.


II is now time to form some sort of judg-
ment with regard to the prospects of the com
ing fall trade. Five months OF the year have
nassed. and the public have their work-in
the shane of commercial statlstlcs-before
them. The bank statements and the rates OF
exchange have been long enough uniform to
ruI.ir, --I-.-I~!;o~ F,- +hn frt"rs rSOriS
know what has been and what is very
little reflection will show what is coming, at
least during the next few months
II is certain that during the past five months
the reduction in imports compared with the
corresponding period OF last year, is equal to
not less than eighty millions of dollars. The
decline at this port alone is S54 100000; and
other ports have declined in still greater
ratio. 1t may be said then, that the country
contains, at the present moment, eighty mil
lions less foreign goods than 1t did In June,
1857.
The means of the nation are not less.
Though breadstuffs are not commanding as
high figures as they did some time ago, the
quantity produced this year will be larger 80
of the other staple Cotton, Notwithstanding
the decline, will be yielded so largely by the
South, that the net product of the crop Will
he probablv more in dollars than that of last
wear. Farm produce and other articles of eX-
mort are plentiful, and are not likely as rule
to sell at unremunerative prices. The capa-
city of the people, as an aggregate, to buy
foreign produce, is greater than 1t ever was
before.
The decline that has taken place in the ex-
ports of the nation since May is almost wholly
confined to the specie line. OF everything
else there has been exported the usual quanti-
ty. But the specie ofwhich the usual amounts
have been regularly received from California,
has been retained here whence it follows that
the banks of New York. Boston, Philadelphia
and New Orleans contain considerably more
than twice their usual share. The Sub
Treasury is bare, it is true; but the banks are
full.
Thus while continued and proiuse produc-
ton are calculated TO enable the farmer to
buy at least as much as usual, double the
usual quantity of means in the bank Golfers
affords "A safe basis for double the old amount
of mercantile business at the great mercantile
centres,
Again: we have by this time thoroughly
experienced the wholesome effects of the
crisis. All unproductive enterprises have
been stopped. No new railways are being
constructed No money is being laid out for
the benefit of future generations. No mer-
camille houses are carrying on ruinous and
dishonest trade; for the houses in this line
have just been swept away. The whole COM
mercial and financial world is in the most
wholesome condition, with but few engage
ments. with little business, with plenty Of
caution, and clean books.
IL was the opinion of many that when the
specie began TO increase in the banks above
twenty millions. trade would suddenly start
up. ane by March that everything would be
under full sail as before. This expectation
proved erroneous; il made no allowance Tor
the Christening effect of the crisis, or for the
retrenchment which people were praeticing.
Our recovery has taken fully seven months;
quite long enough, considering the amount OF
actual damage done by the revulsion, to be
considered slow and gradual.
On the whole, then, considering the want
of goods which must exist at present In the
country the means of the farmers and country
storekeepers, the ample facilities for trade al
forded by the condition Of the banks at the
financial centres. aud the healthy and sound
condition of the mercantile community thr gh-
ous the country, there seems every reason to
snppose that the fall business will not only be
large. but will be one of the largest that has
ever been known.-N. u. Herald, ilch-