The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-05
Commerce of the Port.

Commerce of the Port.
The foreign import and export
trade of Charleston for the month of
April has exhibited an increased i'm
provement, compared with the trans
actions of the previous month.
The recent foreign arrivals, cou-
pied with fuller supply of cotton on
the market, and a further decline in
the staple, have all combined to give
an impetus to foreign trade.
The imports have been increased
by the orrival Of several foreign yes
sells, some of which, we regret to
state, have been long overdue, there
BY rendering certain classes Of goods
ordered for the fall and winter trade
unreasonable, and consequently un-
marketable. This great drawback to
direct trade suggests the idea that a
regular line of steam vessels should
be Immediately established between
this port and Liverpool and Havre.
Our importing merchants could
then calculate with some degree of
certainty upon the receipt of their
orders, and not be compelled to hold
them over at q heavy expense and loss
until the season for their demand
shall arrive. Our merchants have
tested the experiment of importing
by steamers from abroad into New
York, and transporting their mer-
chandize In bond to this port, but the
delay and expensive charges, with the
additional item of double freight and
insurance, have not been an equiva-
lent for the time saved by this plan
Hence the paramount necessity Of
direct line of steamers.
A line of steam propellers, each
possessinga freight capacity for ], 900
bales Of cotton, and of sufficient draft
OF water to cross our bar, would prove
a profitable Investment, and infuse
broad and general current of pros
per1ty to our commercial circles.
Let our Board of Trade take this
subject into Immediate consideration,
and act promptly, in order to meet
the wants and requirements of the
fall and winter trade. Our Legisla-
ture should be memorialized on the
subject. 1t has been liberal in its
assistance to railroad companies a
other corporations, and it is, there
fore. but reasonable to conclude that
it will not withhold its aid and sup
port from project which Will estab-
hsh a direct trade with European
ports, open II ai,'ea stream Of immi-
grafton and capital, and which will
bear directly upon the commercial
prosperity Of our metropolis. Other
Southern cities are making arrange
1h@ents for this trade. Let us not be
*anting in energy and enterprise to
Fsecure it also
During the past month, 2I,552
ksacks of salt have been received at
this port from Liverpool, the bulk of
which has been warehouscl to await
more favorable market and higher
figures
We append the following statement
of the import and export trade for
the month of April: Receipts from
customs, $40, ,438. %; dutiable value
of merchandise paying duty, 81, 800;
dutlable value of merchandise ware
housed, 81, 500; value Of merchandise
free OF duty, 5000. Quantity and
value OF cotton exported foreign,
267 bales sea island, 6,261 bales up
land-S1, ,OSO, ,O45; quantity and value
of cotton exported 113
bales sea island, 1854 bales upland :
1858, 1877. Number and tonnage of
vessels engaged in foreign trade, 10;
tons, 5,29l; number and tonnage of
vessels engaged in coastwise trade,
III; tons, Al 371. Charleston News.