The national Republican., 1867-07-16
OUR TRADE WITH CHINA AND
Japan.

ShEhNs
The New York Tribune some time
since published very able article devel-
oping facts and figures in regard to our
trade with Eastern Asia, which are Of the
most encouraging nature. The paper be-
fore us brings such an array Of solid argu- |
ment in the form Of statistics that the
most doubling must perforce believe that
we, as q nation, are entering upon grand
career Of trade with the East, which can
not fail to make us returns Of almost fab
ulous profits.
According to the showing of this writer,
and we can see no fault in his premises,
reasoning, or his conclusions, the United
States has doubtless, to use q common
phrase, got the inside track. Our trade
with China and Japan has but just COM
Inenced, but we now have line Of
steamers running fiom San Francisco TO
Eastern Asia; so that we are not depend
ent any longer upon London commission
merchants, bankers and brokers in our
transactions with China and Japan. When
VAsco DE CANA proved the practicability
Of reaching India by sailing round the Cape
Of Good Hope, the world hailed this an
nouncement as discovery, and regarded
it as an important acquisition 70 com
merce, as indeed it was; but now we have
come to realize in this country the decla-
ration of CoLUNBUs, that the "true route
to India is in the direction Of the setting
SUM-"
1t is now but six months, as we learn,
since the first Pacific Mail Steamship
Comp any left San Francisco Tor Japan
and China. This was undertaken as an
experiment. 1t might prove success,
we trru umppy To stute- tnut-arf1fc fnitRea-
tions are that this experiment will not only
prove q success, but that it will be to this
country and to commerce one Of the most
important and signal triumphs of the age
By facts and figures which lie before us
we are able to lay before our readers some
particulars in respect to this trade be
between San Francisco and the East, which
though the trade is yet in its infancy, still
gives promise of great things in the
future, Of success SO great that the most
sanguine, in our judgment, can scarcely
conceive a moiety Of the grand resulti
which are sure to follow. The Colorado
was the first vessel placed upon this line
and on her first return trip she brough
back to San Francisco freight the valu,
OF which amounted to nearly three time
as much as the entire trade between tina
place and Japan for the first quarter Of tn,
year 1866. So much for the advantage o
steam over sailing vessels. And still
further, we learn that the whole Of tn,
trade with Japan last year amounted Il
sl07,sl4, and that this trade for the frs
quarter Of this year foots up at S69,7
When we add to this the increased bust
ness growing out Of the carrying Of pas
sengers, we have in both cases indications
calculated to inspire the most hopeful an
tcipations for the future trade betweeI
the Western and Eastern continents.
But throwing aside all mere figures, an,
leaving demonstrations to be worked ou
by the practical business men and mer
chants OF the country, we turn our atten
tion for single moment to consider wha
may be termed the speculative view of thi
question In connection with the furthe
and complete development Of this grant
enterprise, we may look to the purchase o
the Sandwich Islands by the United State
Government. And we believe negotia
tions will be shortly matured and carrie,
through giving us full possession and con
troll Of these islands. We know that man,
Of the papers of the country affect to dis
believe that any steps have been takel
towards the contamination OF this pul
chase by our Government, but we are no
oil the unbelievers. In our judgment W
are soon to come into possession Of thes
islands, and thus we shall have a place 70
coaling midway of the Pacific, and, be
sides-who can tell?-we may possibly fin,
this new island which is thought to be d.
rectly in our path to the east. The ind
cations certainly suggest land in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of the track Of our steam
ers. But whether that be so or not, tn
Sandwich Islands will be to us valuabl
acquisition, and their possession by us wi
contribute largely to enhance the impor
ance Of this commerce with China an
Japan.
When the Pacific railroad is complete,
as it will be in about three years at Il
farthest, who will undertake to set limi
to the trade which will inevitably sprin
up between this country and the Indies
Wealth will then flow to us in such abul
dance that VIC shall almost cry, hold
enough. But we forbear to consider tn
subject further at this time, for, should "
announce what to us seems to be br
sober truth respecting these great ente