The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-03-30
The Trade of Charleston since Secession.

The Charleston Mercury gives a review of
the trade of that city, showing the benefit of
secession in a business point of view. It
says:
The business men Of Charlest ton ara already
beginning TO reap the advantages of the inde-
pendent position which the South has taken,
IN consequence of the refusal of the North to
grant her constitutional rights. The results
OF the last few weeks have demonstrated con-
clusiyely that the commercial prosperity and
political equality which the Mercury for
years predic ted. Were not vain boasts Busi-
ness OF all kinds has increased a an amazing
pace; customers are thronging the city from
all quarters of the South, and the indications
are that Charlesto ton is destined to become the
commercial metropolis of the Confederate
States.
In dry goods and fancy goods the opera.
tiohs nave been very large, and the purcha-
sers, we are informed, are principally COM
posed of those who used to patronizs New
YORK. One house alone, the business CT
Whlch heretofore was chiefly confined to
treorgia, has sold heavy bills to merchants
r rom teorgla, Mississippi, Arkansas, and
iexas In shoes alone, the sales of the last
$500, 900. ~ ~
In short, the prospects of Charleston never
Were more bright than at this season 1t
wonid be impossible to furnish, at this writ
ing. detaiis OF the great increase of business
"hich mas taken place, and which is but a
~ ~snialI par OF what may be expected in the
enough
stimulate the energies of our business men
90 serious has been the effect of this rush
OF trade 10 Charleston that Northern mer
ehlits engaged IN southern trade have circu-
lated the report that Charleston traders have
increased their prices by adding on the duties
under the recent tariff charged on all goods
from the Northern States-in other words
that tne business men of Charleston have de-
termined TO take an undue advantage of their
customers. This is manifestly so untrue that
1t is hardly deserving of notice and vet it is
by such means that the attempt is made TO
obtain southern patronage. Not merchant
tnat we nave VISITED has made any such ad-
ditlon TO his prices. All the goods received
before the tarlH went into operation are dis
posed OF at the usual rates. OF course when
the merchant pays the duty, it will also be
charged 10 the purchaser, and this is fair
business transaction but even supposine such
TO be the fact, which we positively deny,
"ouio IL amount to a reason why Sou thern
merchants should buy at the North We
thihk not Clearly, they would be compelled
10 pay dnty there, and another duty on
bringing their goods across the line. Where
then, would be the advantage?
The end Of all this will be the establish
ment OF direct trade with Europe. A Mem
PMS paper truly remarks:
The establishment of the Government of
the Confederate States of America with a
ttriH operating upon the importations from
the non -secedng States, must have the effect
Oh uriVing TO the seaports of the South all the
VI
great depots for foreign importation as well as
the markets OF purchase for the country mer-
chantS.'
The hnal arrangements for a line of steam
efs between Liverpool and this port are nearly
completed now, and our business community
Is ready to support it. This pioneer line we
confidently believe, will be followed by others
IN u very brief time. Our largest houses have
looked into the future and they are taking
measures accordingly. The hardware dealers
have always imported the bulk Of their stock,
but in the future they have determined to i'm
port more largely. The same remark will ap-
ply to all the other branches of trade. One OF
our largest drug houses has already issued
circular to its patrons on the subject, brief
extract of which is subioined
las We shall hereafter import our Euro
pean, Mediterranean, and East India drugs
and chemicals direct to Charleston we omit
all such from the list, and until our arrange
sments are completed, we will procure them on
the best possible terms"
but there is 4 want to be supplied We
want more houses and more capital. There is
room for enterprise and money in Charles ton
we feel satisfied that it will be forthcoming
lhe vast capital of the South will cen ire a
this point, and her energetic business men will
aid in the development of our trade and com
Derce.