Statement showing the direct foreign commerce of Great Britain, France, and the United States, &c.-Continued. Recapitulation of the direct foreign commerce of Great Britain, France, and the United States. RÉSUMÉ OF BRITISH, FRENCH, AND AMERICAN TRADE WITH BRITISH AND FRENCH POSSESSIONS. DIRECT COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH THE WORLD. The direct commerce of the United States with the world shows a large balance of trade in our favor. This, however, is more than equalized by other well-known factors. During the nine years beginning with 1873, when the balance of trade became favorable to the United States, and ending June 30, 1881, our exports of merchandise amounted to $1,350,000,000 more than our imports during the same period. Notwithstanding this, for reasons which are apparent, our exports of bullion and specie during those nine years were about $70,000,000 in excess of our imports thereof. The fact remains, however, that the United States sold abroad during those nine years produce and manufac tures to the value of $1,350,000,000 more than they purchased. The following statements show the nature of our foreign trade, our imports being divided into "natural products," "articles necessary to our industries," and "manufactures," and our exports into "natural products" and "manufactures": Statement showing the imports into the United States during the fiscal years 1880 and 1881. |