The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-23

1921 30. ...... S., 300, 500 3,574.5ls
IS3l4O 66l9322 LIZA, 902
IaAI 20 5392.O7 TO ,003
1881 55 9967,372 2,39o ,o92
1856 49,. ........ l0,0l3,3Y 4,Al,4'9
1890 estimated. 100000 s,0oo,ooo
This table presents matter for deep reflection
upon the influences that cause the prosperity
or decay of foreign commerce, but We have
space only to TOUCH upon few Of the most
prominent ones. 1t will be observed that,
while the imports from China varied but little
during a period of thirty years to 1850, the
exports to that country present a remarkable
fuctuation. The cause of this iuctuation may
be found in our own huctuating system of
tariff duties. Domestic goods form our staple Of
export in this trade, and the protective tariff era,
which began with the decade of 1880 40 marks
the decline of export consequent on factitiously
enhanced prices of cost at home. We thus lost
q large portion of our old export trade TO
China, which we did not begin to recover until
1867, when the new treaties began to exhibit
their effects. The exports of 1859 show q total
of 81, l27 l99, of which s4,2sa ol6 we're articles
of domestic, md 1884, 1873 Of foreign produc-
ton. The export trade of the present closing
year exhibits large increase over that of the
previous one, and we believe that our estimate
of So, 100000 will be under rather than over
the fact At the past rate of increase our mer-
chants will soon be free from the effects of
supposed adverse balance Of trade, which, how
ever, we do not believe exists now a. we have
q large indirect trade with that country, car
ried on from other parts of the world.
win THIS Vast and rapioly growing trade, Its
safety becomes matter of great importance to
the country. The general object of the allied
expedition TO China is well known; but the plan
of the war and the scene of the conflict remain
q secret, while the dimensions which the war
may take can be known only by future develope-
ments Our merchants, with their families and
their property, are established at ell the treaty
ports, and they should be cared for and pro-
tected to the full extent which the magnitude of
their interests and the honor of the country re-
quire. We fear that this is not likely to be the
case, for two reasons-an insuf6ciency in the
number of vessels, and the unadaptability to the
service of those we have in the China seas.
According to our latest advices from Aong
Kong, the Germantown, Mississippi and Pow
hatan had been ordered on other service, and
the only national vessel remaining was the
Hartford. The old sloop John Adams Is on
her way out, and when last heard from
was at Table Bay, after having re-
NAMED for some time at Rio repairing. The
Saginaw has left San Francisco for Hong Kong.
and the Niagara Is about to leave here for Jeddo
with the Japanese Embassy, after landing which
she will be dkposable for general service.
These are good vessels in their way, but unfor-
tunately they are too large for the shallow shore
and river service, and we have not . single
small steamer or gunboat, 90 necessary, In those
seas.
The British naval commander there has for
mally notified our own of his intention 10 pro-
vide, during the period Of approaching hostili-
ties, for the protection of Canton and Shanghae,
but that his resources would not permit him TO
station guard ships at the other open ports
Consequently, Ningpo, Foochow, Annoy and
Swallow will be left for protection for some
time 10 the casual visits Of two ships-the Hart
ford and Saginaw-the John Adams being of
doubtful seaworthiness. Il IL true that our
government and our citizens are on neutral or
friendly terms with the Chinese; but all foreign
ers at the open ports are settled together and in
any sudden movement of the populace II will
be quite impossible for them TO distinguish,
and the destruction Of life and property would
be indiscriminste. II Il but a short time since
the wives and children of our countrymeu at
Shanghae were obliged 10 take shelter on board
of British ships, during one Of these popular
outhursts, In order to escape q fate worse than
death itself II Il not unreasonable 10 expect
similar exigencies 10 arise at the other ports,
where there will be neither British nor Ameri-
can ships to fly to.
II Ii time that our citizens and their interests
abroad should not be compelled 10 rely for
safety upon the fleets and officers Of ether ns-
tons. We are capable Of protecting ourselves,
II Congress win for time cease to take poll
tical and adopt q national view Of the require
ments Of our navy. A little more common sense,
too. might be employed In the distribution Of
what navy we have The Overlooking conduct
of q private company makes necessary the main
tonance Of number Of vessels in the hsrbors Of
AsriDwall and Panama, at a cost of q million
cf dollars a year 10 our government when q
a little common sense In diplomacy would
settle every pending question with New Grans
da, and set those ships free for other service.