The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-23

For several years past, the Boston Board Of
Trade, with full appreciation of the advantages
which such an exposition confers upon the indus
trial classes, has had the sagacity and enterprise
to publish, under the modest title of an "Annual
Report" neat and well-arranged volume COM
prising not only interesting statistical account
Of the commerce and manufactures of that city,
but also large amount of very valuable extraneous
information, upon commercial topics, or upon some
Of the various branches of business which are
either already carried in Boston its vicinity,
or might be proftably undertaken. The local ad-
vantages derived from the publication of an annual
statement of this kind, emanating, as it does from
so responsible source, are too apparent to need
more than a passing reference. The struggle of
all the larger commercial centres and especially of
those in close proximity to the sea board, is to
open up, as far as it may be possible to do so,
profitable traffic with the interior To accomplish
this desirable result it is not only necessary to
advertise udciously in the local journals but also
to distribute, throughout the country, such statis-
tics Of trade and commerce as are calculated to
impart to merchants, residing at remote inland
points, tolerably accurate knowledge of the
general business done in each city, and of the
peculiar facilities which its artisans may possess
for producing particular articles, at cheaper rate
and of better quality, than they can be met with
elsewhere We believe for instance that, for GER
tain manufacturing purposes, Baltimore occupies
position superior to that of any city in the Union,
and we know that our mechanics are skllful, and
our merchants enterprising. But because we our
selves are conscious of these facts, it does not
necessarily follow that other persons, living
beyond the limits of the State, are equally well
acquainted with them. On the contrary, it is
more than probable that a large number of them
are simply aware that Baltimore is the third city
In the Union In point of population, and that it
bears high reputation for free hearted hospitality
OF the reasons why it is populous; why it is pros
porous, and Why at the present rate of progression
it will number half million of souls at the close
OF the next decade they are perhaps wholly
ignorant or have, at best, but vague nercent;on
If they refer to Gazetteer for further information
they learn, in general sort of way, that Baltimore
ranks. in commercial Importance, among the fret
cities in the UNITED STATES; that its position 10
such as to render great centre of trades that is
situated near the head of the Chesapeake Bay:
that it enjoys superior advantages for foreign
merce, and that its lines of railways, Westward
and Northward, attract to it the agricultural and
mineral wealth of a vast interior. All this
though interesting enough as far as it goes, is moi
exactly what the country merchant desires te
know. He wants bill of particulars. He is
told that Baltimore possesses superior advantages
Tor manufactures, prominent among which are
those Oh iron and cotton. Beyond this he learns
nothing; Or at least nothing that arrests his spe
cial attention. nothing certainly of those details
which form the very pith and marrow of the sub.
ject. Now manufacturers of iron take a wide
range. They range from pen-knves to castings
from six-penny nails, to steam engines; and every
trader is interested in ascertaining whether it il
psu-knives, or castings or six-psnny nails, OIL