Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-13
Inc last rour montbs, trade.

We published on Tuesday morning In the
appropriate column the statistics of the trade
of this port for the past four months. We
now propose to make a few remarks upon
the lessons they teach.
During the past four months-January,
February, March and April-New York took
from foreign countries less than one-haif the
aauntity of goods which she took during the
same months of last year. The diminution OF
imports actually exceeds fortn-six millions
for the four months, the following figures
show -
Imports for first four months of 1856. 500 40
DO. do. $751; Sc ,SS5 ,046
Do. do. 1855. 40 ,213 ,4S9
At this rate of diminution, our Importation
for the year would fall short of that of last
year by over S120,0 100000, all of which would
be so much saved to the country. Last year,
it will be remembered, the difference between
our imports and exports was but couple of
millions of dollars; this year. at this rate, 1t
would be over a hundred millions in our
favor.
This supposes that our exports are not
going to fall off. At present the only thing
which looks like falling off 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 it 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 as abundant
an export we had last year. Our exports
from this port for the month of April were
the largest we ever had in that month. For
the first four months of the year they are
behind those of last year and the year previ-
Gus, 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 first four months of 1856 s31 $40 ,234
Do do do 1857 ...... "a ,lS0 ,434
Do do do 1858. 30,119,1l2
There is now rapidly coming forward the
unusually large surplus of last years crop of
breadstuf1s; which the revulsion induced the
farmers to hold back, and the near prospect of
another good crop now compels them to send
to market at any sacrifice. This will increase
our exports. And the promising prospect of
a revival in the foreign demand for cotton will
leave us as bare of that staple as any one need
desire.
The improvement in specie appears large
for the past four months. The three years
compare as follows
Export of specie for first mos of 1855.
Do Do do do do DO 1887 81 S, SgSa ai2
But it must he borne in mind that this year,
in consequence of the revulsion, we shipped
specie at season when, in ordinary times,
the cotton bills amply suffice for the demands
of remitters. Our specie export for the ten
months which have elapsed of the current
United States fiscal year only exceeds that of
the corresponding period of the previous fis-
cal year 10y about a million of dollars; though
the former includes all the enormous ship
ments which were caused by the revulsion.-
At present, as every one knows, the specie
drain to Europe has ceased. Now and then
there is fitful speculation in exchange, and
Il half threat that gold will 90 abroad but
every one who studies the tables given above
must see that this is impossible. We regard
the fact, on the whole, as unsatis actOry; the
most so of any that the horizon presents. If
we could get rid of some ten or twelve mil
lions of the idle gold which is lying in our
bank Golfers, it might give an impetus to
trade.
On the whole, the commercial scene pro-
misses well. In a commercial point of view
the country never was so strong as 1t is now.
The same thing may be said individually of
the bulk of the surviving mercantile firms;
they have reduced their liabilities to more
nominal figure, and are prepared to start
airesh on a solid basis. Even those who have
lost money are comparatively stronger than
they were before they were before they lost
it; as, now, they can lose nothing. having no
outstanding claims, whereas. then, they might
have lost even more than they have. Not
withstanding this strength, however, there is
no reason 10 suppose that the year will be
otherwise than very dull. 1t is apparent that
nothing will induce the merchants to embark
in fresh speculatiOns at present; merchandise
of the most necessary kind is now every day
below the cost of Importation without attrac-
ting attention from purchasers. Until it is
seen how the West is going to settle last years
debts, there will be but little inclination on
the part 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 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 pro-
misses to be plentiful here in June at three
and four per cent; and it seems quite certain
that except in the stock market there will be
no employment for the whole of what we have,
even at those low rates.-N. Y. Herald Sh
inst.