The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-08
From the Nstu York Courier and ENQUIRER |

a NaIlONaL BOARD OF TRADE.
The British Board of Trade combines among its
members talents of the highest order, gentlemen of
education and experience, who are enabled to fur
nish to the Government information of great value.
We have similar Board in this country, none
approaching it in its objects. 1t is obvious, how
ever, that "National Board of Trade is required
in this country. Heretofore, the Secretary of the
Treasury, having charge of the Commercial Stats
tics, has been selected from the legal profession and
whatever may be his professional talents, he lacks
that experience and sagacity which eminently be-
long only to the eminent merchant We are glad
that this subject has been broached in report of
the Boston Board of Trade, from which extract
follows:
Nothing could better promote the true interests of
the country than the establishment of a National
Institution, such as is recommended in the recent
able Report of Mr.. Sabine, Secretary to the Boston
Board of Trade. The report does not specify the
peculiar duties which might devolve such in
stituton, but it is not difficult to see that might
act most benefcially in many ways and upon vari-
Gus questions pertaining to the extended commerce
of the nation and particularly such as concern the
Revenue Laws and the collection of Revenue by
means of Tariff of duties upon foreign mer-
chandise.
concerns US in all our relations, public and private,
much more nearly than we are perhaps aware Of
At present we are but mere exporters of raw mate
rial to be worked up by other nations, our exports
consisting of about S300,000,0 of food and raw
material, to $50, 900 of manufactured goods;
while England and France export no raw material,
but supply the world with manufactures to the
extent of O00 and S370, ,O00 900 per
This position we hold in common only with such
nations the East Indies Brazil, Turkey and Chi
na-nations that have made but small progress in
the arts, and some of them hardly entitled to be
ranked among civilized communities
The most useful function which could be exercised
by National Board of Trade would be to enable
Congress to act integently on this great question,
by collecting statistics, taking evidence, consulting
the highest authority and applying the principles
n N no mat ria1 into of fha
country. A glance at the condition of our affairs
at Washington is sufficient to satisfy ofthe great
necessity that exists for such body of men, select
ed for their experience and learing to fill post
of duty second to no other in Importance and re-
quiring for its discharge high and peculiar quaf-
| cations.
| National Tariff can alone decide the system
which shall adopt, whether it be of free trade
! protective policy. In that decision is involved
far higher considerations than pertain to the mere
collection of the national revenue-a matter of small
Importance compared with the vast interests Of Ia
Dor throughout the country, in which is involy ed
| the capacity of consumption and of paying taxes
| whether laid directly or indirectly. With the la
| Dor of the country is intimately connected the
moral and intellectual condition of the people. so
| that Tariff, instead of being football of
party and stepping stone for political aspirants,
is subject demanding the most profound attain
ments, the highest capacity, and the utmost delib-
| erations, in order to secure the most intelligent
action-a fit subject, therefore, for the considera-
tion of such body as is proposed.
FRoN PoRro R1co.-The Havana Diario re-
| ceives copy of the Fenir, of Ponce, Jan. Is. in
which it finds nothing of interest, save an article
devoted to the project of Company for ligh ting
that town with gas. The following are extracts
| from the Fenir editorial
We had occasion to see latterly letter from New
York, dated Dec IL, 1858, and addressed to the
| Secretary of this illustrious Ayuntamiento, from
which it appears that several respectable capital
lists of that City have formed Company for light
ing, by of gas the public squares streets and
private houses of this city. Of the capital, consis
| ting of 5000 900 and divided into shares of $3.50
| each, $3.50, 900 have been taken in New York du-
ring space of four days, the remaining $50, ,000
being destined for this city.
If the 200 shares are not taken in Ponce they
| will be taken in New York.
HAYTI.-The st. Thomas Times of Jan. Is, saws
By the arrival of the steamer Derwent, which oc-
Cured this morning, receive important news
from Hayti. The latest advices announced that
Soulouque having advanced with his army to within
two leagues of St. Mark, had been twice beaten
by the republican forces under Geffard and had
retreated to Port-au-Prnce, where he arrived on
the 10th of January. This intelligence is confirmed
by the following proclamation after his return:
"The insurgents" he says, "have twice fired upor
my troops, thus taking the offensive. In the pres
ence of such fact, with my heart profoundly
generals, have resolved in order to avoid the eft
fusion of BLOOD to return to Port-au-Prnce, that
may adopt the measures which circumstances de
mand."
The report at the latest moment reaches us from
Jacmel that Soulouque had determined to abdicate
and desired to do so by means of a treaty with tn
rebels; but it was thought that as the Republican
were already masters Of the situation, they ma
dethrone him without conditions, and even depriv
him of life.