Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-04
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.

Correspondence " me f'rHH9h" ChI9fFeT.i
NEW YorK, February l, 1859.
The reply Of Secretary Cobb in answer to q
resolution Of Congress, in regard to the extent
of the import and export trade between this
country and England and France, presents
some points Of interest. lie shows that the
different modes in winch statistical tables are
kept. and the different classitications Of similar
articles. in the several countries, renders it im-
possible to arrive at correct comparative state
mentS.
To obyiatc these discrepancies, he recon-
mends that efforts be made to bring about an
international convention, with the view OF
adopting Il uniformity in currency and
in weights and measures. There Is no doubt
bat could commercial nations be induced to
adopt such 4 reform, its utility would only be
second to the adoption Of L universal language.
| But, a measure more practical in It's character,
AMI more Immediately beneficial TO commercial
intercourse and the progress Of civilization.
would be the reciprocal or mutual reduction III
the respective rates of tariffs and navigation
taxes.
To further this object, including those ailu-
dcd to bv tn. Secretary, Congress should au-
thorisc the Executive to propose to other 90
to send delegates to an international
Commercial Coagre&s. the functions of which,
should DC 10 discuss and arrange plans for re-
ciprocal trade, uniformity Of currency. weights
and measures. and uniform modes for the keep
ing of statlSticS-thc action of the Congress
to be reported to the respective governments
represented, for approval or rejection.
Such = CONGRESS, periodically convened,
could not fail 10 exercise the happiest influence
Commercial views and industrial statistics
could be freely interchangcd, and the inpor-
tant fact developed. that the interest and hap
pincss Of each could he best promoted by libe-
raj trade and intercourse with the Others. Such
n CONGRESS would do much towards preSery-
ing the peace Of the world. The greater the
extension of trade and commerce, the more
difficult it becomes for rulers to plunge the
people into unnecessary wars.
We have before alluded 10 the Iolycrcln or
commercial Congress Of the German States,
and the benefits it has conferred on the trade
and intercourse Of Germany. Let us have 4
worlds Commercial Congress.
By n late official return. it seems that the
number of vessels engaged in the trade of the
United States with Africa for the year ending
June both, 1851, amounted to 81. The total
amount of imports paying duty was 81 .420,oO
and free of duty 1912. 000-whilc the duties
paid amounted TO $4,000.
The chief part of the trade Of the west coast
of Africa, including that Of Liberia, has fallen
into the hands of the English. The trade with
England. which has regular lines of steamers
running down the coast, is constantly increas-
ing, while ours grows small by degrees and
beautifully less" 1t is estimated that there are
no less than 100 ships regularly trading be
tween England and the African coast. The
total trade of Great Britain with the west coast
of Africa, including the gold coast, river Gambia
and Cape of Good Hope, and in south Africa,
in 1854, amounted to about 500, 672,24o. The
following table gives n comparative statement
for the years named of the exports and imports
of the United States and Great Britain-the
latter exclusive of British possessions in Africa:
United States. Great Britain.