The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-01
ANNUAL REVIEW
OF TIE
TRADE AND COMMERCE.
OF BALTIMORE,
FOR THE YEAR 1860.

In presenting ANNUAL STATEMENT of the business of
Baltimore 1862 feel embarrassment which must
be common to every who at this moment wishes to
offer anything than a array Of figures. The
statistics OF the past of small value and interest," unless
aording indications OF the future Yet such is the
diton of political affairs and thoroughly are all business
enterprises complicated with them that venture
predict what day may bring forth. Deeply our bus
ness men have been affected by the panic OF the
months, they have sustained the shock with
least much frmness those Of any other commercial
There have been comparatively few failures and
ofhese only of Importance where the parties
gagged the legitimate pursuits Of trade The business Of
Baltimore has acquired character aud volume resting
upon her admirable geographical position and the capital
and credit acquired by the energy and enterprise of her
inhabitants 1t has steadily advanced along the beaten
paths of manufacturing and commercial industry, ard
without any extraordinary marked movement has
erved its relative Importance Throwing out of view
Brooklyn, which must be regarded part Of New York
at least parasitic growth depending New York.
city continues to maintain its rank the thd, OF the
Unon in point Of population The returns of 1860
however, show smaller increase than expected but
feel warranted in saying upon evidence within
knowledge, that they careessy and mperfecty ia
ken to afford true criterion of either wealth or
population We hope that count under the auspices
Of the city government will be ordered which do
not doubt will show that numbers have been greatly
understated.
The year 1860 opened on brilliant prospects, and when
the hopes of the year had frightened into the certanes
q
and Of quite production of the other great ag
rculura staples OF the United States with brisk foreign
demand aordng balances to justify large importations
Of prosperity without precedent before the
minds of the least sangune. strong disposition to
speculative action early manifested ITSELF The shipping
interest, which had been almost dormant for
reused into intense activity 1t has been the usual
perience however that the years of presidential elections
are not favorable to business. There always
less excitement and uncertainty about the result which in
erre with the regular movements Of trade 1t be
denied that this disturbing cause has been than
ally active throughout the summer and autumn but many
hoped that with the Of the result, matters
would subsde formerly into their accustomed routine
How these expectations have been disappointed, it is not
necessary to remind the reader From the date Of the Penn
syvana State election, things have been growing steadily
is there at the moment Of our going to press
sign of amendment.
So far own position is concerned we see
for dependency Hoping earnestly do for
speedy restoration the relations uterdependence and
good will between all members of great republic we
cannot foresee conunCure-apGrt from the chances Of
civil whose results cannot be calculatedn which the
natural and acquired advantages OF Baltimore would not
enable her to take position quite important any she
has ever yet occupied She must always, think, remain
leading grocery, provision, grain and flour market be-
sides valuable point for distributing domestic and foreign
goods In addition TO this, she has advantages for
featuring which steadily telling her growth and
which likely be stimulated than rePressed
by any probable change in her political relations
DRY GOODS TRADE.
The Dry Goods trade of Baltimore, like of the
other Atlantic cities is the largest and most important of
commercial interests and although it be said
have increased during the year, its relative importance
has in degree diminished The trade Dry Goods here
of such character THAI is impossible give any
statistics but from the best information
been able to obtain, it has for several amounted
in about thirty millions OF dollars annually Dur
ing the early part of the past t branch Of the bust
the country exhibited evidences of unusual activity
prosperity and here, well the ether principal
kets satisfactory and profitable business done,
nearly prosrate, by commercial panic of uneXamped
extent and severity, having its ORIGIN unlike other pancs
in political causes and the fall trade therefore limte
in extent, and in other respects very unsatisfactory.
especially for domestic fabrics well maintained
panic not having had the effect to break down rates
materially, but for months past they have been in
degree nominal and whether not when business
opens again, hit does goods will command anything
ike former prices question yet to be solved The Dry
Goods trade Of Baltimore is principally done with the West
and Southwestern States and the neighbong
Virginia and North Carolina, but with the South proper
the Cotton States trade has always been limited,
Withstanding geographical and political connection
binatons which likely be formed is, and has
been subject of much discussion here recently. Baltimore
has advantages unsurpassed by city in the Southern
States for anSacng the Dry Goods trade and her
consideration Southern friends large capital is
already embarked the business here ard both the climate
and character the population of Maryland such as
render the establishment Of manufacturing here large
scale, comparatively easy 1t gratifying fact, and
refer to il illustrating the sodity and soyency of the
parties engaged in the Dry Goods trade herd that notwi
stan ding the severity Of the panic, failure OF anyi
poran ce has occurred in the trade since its