The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-06-05
VIVA, wa Rrx MAhrond. ;,

From tho Philadelphia LCdGer)
Tho United States during the year 1872
imported foreign goods TO greater value
than during any previous year. The i'm.
ports for the year amounted TO the large
figures of $077,144,579 in gold-ovel
eighty.seven millions more than during
1871. OF this immense importation about
one-flth came in as free goods, being
chiefly the raw materials Of foreign pro-
auctions, entering into American manu-
features. The other four.tilths paid du-
ties, and these duties were the chief source
Of revenue of the Treasury during the
year. OIthe aggregate importRtions only
sixteen millions came into the country
overland from Canada and Mexico.
1t is instructive as well as interesting In
examining the details or this enormous
importation to find how largely foreign
countries contribute to our stores Of goods,
and what diversified articles they send US.
The greater portion Of the import trade
however, is usually made up Of o few
classes OF staple articles, and more than
one.half oil the imported values for 1872
some $50 millions OF dollars-was
composed Of sugar and molaSses, col
fee, cotton, wooden and silken goods,
and Of iron and steel and manu-
features thereof. The heaviest importa.
ton was Of sugar and molsSses and
their manufactures. The value Of these
articles was over ninety millions oil dol
larS, this being nearly one.seVenth Of the
the entire trade. The second was wool
and woolens, Of which we imported near.
ly eighty.two millions. Iron and steel
were third In the list, England and Ger
many sending US nearly sixty.two mil
lions. The fourth article was coffee, Of
which we got torty.two millions; the 9Th
cotton goods, thirty.six millions, and the
sixth silk goods, thirtY.five and a halt mil.
lions. These six classes Of articles made
up more than one.halfthe import trade Of
last year.
There arc several other articles Of
which we also receive large amounts from
abroad. Thus Of tea during 1879, we i'm.
ported over twenty.lour and half mil
lions; Of hides and leather, twenty.eight
millions; OF flax and linen goods, nearly
twcnty.thrce millions, and of gold aud
silver, over twenty.one millions. Nearly
eleven millions OF chemicals also came In,
exclusive Of large amount Of acids, salts
and similar goods that are separately
classified. Oiloreign fruits we consumed
ten and hall millions Of dollars worth;
Of tin, over seventeen millions, and oil
foreign woods and furniture, eleven mil
lions. There were nine million dollars
worth OF foreign wines imported, and a
little more than that amount Of Cuban
tobacco and cigars. q We get nearly ten
millions worth OF breRdstutIs, OF for
eign crockery, nearly six millions came in
and nearly seven millions Of foreign glass
We also took over seven millions Of India
rubber, whilst the growth OF our silk fac
tories Is attested by an importation Of
nearly seven million dollars worth of
"raW silk"
Some smaller items also arc Of interest.
We imported more than million and a
quarter dollars worth Of foreign jewelry,
million and a half Of precious stones,
and three and q half millions Of watches
and watch materials. Over two millions
OFspiCes came in, and nearly four millions
Of aaxseed. That we are at peace lex
cept with the ModOcs) is Attested by a
Saltpetre importation Of but 1884,, 900. Salt
came in TO the value Of a million and a
halt. Maine and New Jersey, 1t seems,
cannot grow enough potatoes for Us. for
We imported $4,000 bushels; and the
American hen will probably demand more
protection, when she learns that last
year over five million dozen eggs came
from abroad. A half million poupdH NJ
bristles from foreign countries show that
the American hog will have to look amer
the safety Of his hide, There is also food
for speculation In the inquiry as to what
was done with $1,000 tons Of imported
birthstone, and that rags arc Of value Is
atteSted by an importation Of nearly 112
millions Of pounds Nearly million dol.