National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-17
Triumuhs of the Trade-Dollar.

I lFrOm the san ERanc1acO bulletln.J
The trade-dollar has achieved series Of signal
victories in China and Japan, and to-day holds an
impregnable position in the monetary system Of
the Orient. This coin was designed to take the
place Of the Mexican dollar and thus save the
tax Of from five to seven per cent. on our COM
merce with the Orient. The Mexican dollar was
the favorIte coin among Chinese and Japanese
merchants, and scarcity OF the coin In THIS com
munity always caused more or less embarrass-
ment IN mercantile circles. The mission Of the
trade-dollaF as indicated by its protector, at the
outset was to furnish an outlet for the silver
Mexican dollar In commerce, and 70 bring san
Francisco into prominence as 9 city ahordtng spe-
cAl facilities for transaction Of business with the
Orient 1t was feature of the programme that
the merchants Of London who are doing business
with China should be enabled to telegraph or
ders to San Francisco for the forwarding Of coin
(trade-dollar) payments, and thus making o saw
ing In time. The London merchants have not
yet been educated up TO this point but L Is only
q question of time when thOy viii utilize the
trade dollar in the manner mentioned.
: The popularity of the trade-dollar in the Orient
r Taus ns b taS IN ssb ne ssyss other
dollars in use. The annexed tabular statement
shows the different values and the relative gross
grains of four different dollars giving In each case
the full legal weights and hneness OF the coin and
assuming our old dollar IS the unit OF value:
Old American dollar. .si2I 800 sSlH u 90.
New Amer trade dol.42O 900 sIs ol.s2
Mexican dollar ..El7.ss 902-I7 377L ] 0L62
Japanese yen......416 900 374 40 oo.s5
The chinese assayed the trads-dollsr, and upon
discovering that It was Of really more value than
the Mexican dollar gave 1t their preference, The
trade dollar was found TO have the advantage OF
its rival in many respects. The trade-dollars were
found TO be OF uniform weight. The Mexican dol
lars vary materially in size and weight The
British merchants In Hong Kong have fought
strenuously against the trade-dollar, without sue
cess. The Chinese In Hong Kong have followed
the example Of their countrymen in Canton, Foo
chow and other cities, and adopted the trade
dollar.
The papers received from Japan by the last
steamer announce that the trade-dollar has re-
celved o notable Endorsement in that country.
The Oriental bank oflcially announced on the
INST Of December, that hereafter the trade-dollar
would be taken from constituents, in the ordinary
course Of business, at par with the Mexican dol
lar. This progressive measure on the part Of
powerful corporation virtually extinguishes the
chance Of the Japanese silver yen for general &C
ceptance In China and India. The Japanese Go
settle speaking OF the adoption Of the tradedolar,
says: HNow that . standard value has been
stamped upon 1t by . corporation OF recognized
status, we hope TO see this handsome piece OF
money passed into circulation among all the East
ern natives who used the decimal system OF coin
age." In view Of the prospective increase In the
demand for trade-dollars, It Is fortunate for San
Francisco that the mint has supply on hand,
and that purchasers VIII not be annoyed by any
delay. ~rrrrr- .--e-t# -..v--