Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-11
INTEREsTING REPORT.

WAsnISGroN, Feb 9.---The Secretary of
State has transmitted to Congress his annual
report on the Foreign Commerce OF the United
States and Commercial changes in Foreign
Countries for the year 1858. 1t is Of peculiar
value to the mercantile and producing interests
Of the country at this time, rs it begins with
Great Britain and ends with Paraguay. Be-
sides the abstracts of diplomatic and consular
dispatches, Of which the report is mainly com.
posed, important and interesting information is
compiled from the official reports Of the leading
Governments. and presented in an agreeable
and attractive style The Superintendent Of
the statistical office OF the State Department
and his assistant, exhibit in this report. SO far
as cursory examination enables one TO judge,
evidence Of much ability and untirng labor.
II appears from this report. that the number
Of acres under vine cultivation in France ex-
ceedl four millions, yielding annually nine
hundred and nineteen millions five hundred
and fiftv.live thousand five hundred and seven.
ty-five gallons Of wine, and twenty.seven mil.
lions two hundred and twenty thousand and
fifty gallons of brandy, worth, at the present
low prices in France $9s, GlT,66o.
The report contains letter from c. G. Bay
lor, dated Brussels, in December last, i'll which
he says he has devoted his means and opportu.
nitv 10 the development Of direct reciprocal
and Independent trade between the tobacco and
cotton States Of America and the Continent Of
Europe Such trade would benefit the general
interests OF the Southern States, and incident
ally the Western and Northwestern States
also. With the concurrence of the friends OF
the movement, Belgium has been selected as
the base Of European operations, and with the
concurrence Of the leading commercial and
financial influences Of the Kingdom. Mr. Bay
lor is authorized to say, with the appreciation
and good disposition Of the Belgium Govern
mcnt, the long expressed wish Of the Southern
States will soon receive such ali as TO result in
the realization Of the practical and successful
carrying on Of the direct trade with Continental
Europe There has been formed in Brussels.
to regulate the details of this commerce, and TO
represent the planting interest Of America
Continental and Direct Trade Association. Steps
are now being taken to receive the cotton direct
from the plantations of America, to be sold on
tha Continent, under the auspices and guarah'
tee of ample and wellknown capital III the
most expeditions and economical manner, direct
to the consumers in Belgium, iii Switzerland.
in the Zoveren, and in Germany. To meet
th, cotton import and ilnpart the character OF
reciprocity to the trade and supply the iInPor-
! tant feature oil return trade, with cheap
freights, the manufacturing interest IN Belgium
is about to be organized, and through means
at once simple, practicable and attractive. 2
committee has been formed, under the admin
istration OF which will be held exhibitions Of
Continental industry, taste and manufacturing
skill. throughout the Southern States Of Ameri-
ca. i'll the principal towns. These Industrial
exhibitions will partake Of the character of the
German fairs and trade sales. The goods ol
the Continent Of Europe will then, in most
attractive manner, be brought as it were 10 The
very doors Of the Southern people at first cost,
aud exchanged for cotton.
Mr. Baylor asks the approval Of the Depart.
mcnt for what he has done. The first fair viii
probably bc held in Charleston or Mobile.