New-York tribune., 1871-08-26
OUR TRADE KITK THE EAST.


ROUTES-NEW-Y0RK CHICAGO, AND SAN
FRANCISCO AS CENTERS OF THE TEA TRADE.
There is an erroneous opinion prevalent in
this country concerning the extent Of the trade between
Asia and America, resulting apparently from the fact
that 1t has been in the hands Of few firms whose MEN,
bers have often become suddenly rich But the truth ia
that single dry goods houses in this city sell goods each
year double the value OF the whole China trade of the
country Sixty millions Of dollars said TO represent
the amount Of the sales Of single dry goods house Of
New-YOrk. Now, America only 100000 pounds Of
tea worth not than s26,OOOO00. The silk import
from China is only s30O0O0O while Of mating fire.
crackers drugs and camphor receive only 3OOoOOO
additional No India goods to this country.
member of of the principal firms in this city
gagged in the tea trade lately expressed the opinion that
the suez Canal viii not interfere at all with the opera
ton of the Pacific Railroad In the transportation OF
Asatc freight TO this port The time consumed by YES
sells using the canal much greater that there can be
no competition between the two routes. The shipping
begins in June and July. but the bulk OF it leaves
China in August and September. BY the time the
sells carrying tins Asatc freight have passed through the
canal and reached Gibraltar, the stormy has
arrived and the crossing OF the Atlantic is thereby
delayed. One curious fact that has not been taken
into account by most of those who have studied the
probabes as to trade of the canal s the inevitable
smaness of the steamers that engage in the Transports
ton of freight from Asia America by that route. The
canal deep enough afford passage TO large steamers
but such can only be made to pay when there is an
extensive passenger traffic. AS very few passengers
pass between China and the Atlantic coast Of America,
small steamers must be used for carrying the tea, &c,
and they cannot make very quick passages They often
consume 80 days in passing from Gibratarto NewYork
This informant of the opinion that the great in
of steam transportation between Asia and various
parts Of America would be injurious TO firms like his
that largely engaged In the tea trade Tor 1t VIII ena
BILE of small capital to enter the business as the re-
turns will quickly that they can do business on
credit He thought there present prospect that
Chicago and ST. Louis would get much tea by the Pacific
Railroad One why New-York will continue to be
the distributing center for all such merchandise is the
fact that capital will still center here Again, Chicago
can only import those goods that suit its market 1t
cannot buy whole lines" Of teasfor instance, can
not take the products of whole tea districts they come
The exporters want send their Young Hyson and their
Gunpowder together, otherwise they suffer loss.
II is in this country as 1t In Europe.
Tnere London is the commercial center. China
goods often 20 direct to Amsterdam and other
ports; but merchants who want to see full
assortment always go to London. Let them do what
they WILL viii still be bought here for ten per cent
less than II will cost at Chicago Even when there Is no
difference price at the two points, merchants VIII buy
at NewYor in preference to other large city that is
them. Thus they pass Boston and Philadelphia
here though promised goods at NewYork prices
feel what low price until they have priced
goods for themselves this city IL seems that two
thirds OF the tea used in this country goes to NewYork
and the Ecw-England states. AT the West and South
coffee is called for During the existence Of Slavery,
large quantities Of cheap tea, called Pouchong,
bought for the negroes of the South. The merchants
supposed from this that there would be great increase
in the demand for tea among the negroes after their
emancipation; but the contrarys the case they will not
use tea at gll.
Great changes have Occurred within ten iyears in the
trade in pougees and silk handkerchefs, which not
used here as extensively formerly now, too, such
fabrics are manufactured here. Grape shaws are out Of
fashion now in the United States. They used TO be
hroucht here for export Cuba ani Mexico but they
are now taken direct to those countries Our high tariff
and the great demand in China for raw silks have
Greatly decreased the importation to this country and
silk is extensively raised on this continent satins
ont OF date Frc-crackers do not come as yet by rail-.
,otor merchant the successor Of one Of New-Yofks
Oldest ten importers has considerable aith In the Suez
60" 90 - ,naoue OF bringing tea TO this country He
s tbot only two little old steamers brought II through
~ canal f6r this port last year. These were very
heavily aon and mad 90 stop at every coal station 10
oI fnsl. TTc cuusc0uence was that they beaten
r. lln6I qbi rs coming around the Cape OF Good Hope
C etIs @ me ,a scccss on thi3 Canal lie has no
Gobt Chicago and st. Louis vii get large Quantities Of
Tea direct, via san Erdnelco, ana secs no reason why
81, atcr cv gh0ud no. become the center Of dstribl
ton for tea Instead ti New-fork though u VIII take
itSfO get Out Ol lHCll haplt VI
C 20 Ncv-Y0r FOR everything. The nrst cargo OF tea
of dis season ably arrived at san Francisco ana the
reg. bulk oi IL Supposed 10 he coming to NewfOrk
Another merchant largely engaged IN the YEA tiadc,
said that Chicago and Tie West use great neii OF
LANAI, tra much OF which they already get dlfcct wa
\ N Fr ncscO There is a marked Increase every year OF
tins direct trade 20 the Mississippi basin, ana ne" uds
VIII probably 20 10 that region. -, l., .,.,.
All the gentlemen visited consider the trade III hsauc
Goods 20 be- ia an unsettled, transitional condition. III -
impossible Orosec what the course OF events VIZ ~ III
this business As 10 tea the most important Ihct ~
tht it's consumption has increased ten per cent III ~
Years while hlgIi duty has been levied upon H.
A PROMINENT MEXICAN DROWNED.