The trade returns for the month of ruary, which show a considerable decrease in our exports and a decided increase in, our imports, have made even the most optimistic among us shake their heads; the papers are daily calling attention to the well-known fact of our steadily decreasing trade and it behoves both men and women to think the matter out for themselves as} both must equally suffer and that very shortly unless we wake up. It is well known that during the last five years, America has forged ahead in a manner} that is simply stupendous. The optimist gentleman at home says it's all right, we, are as busy as we can be and we have to; let the Yankees do some of our work be-! cause we hare more offered than we can execute. Surely this is foolishness. I would guarantee that the American would; not let any other nation take over their; work; they would increase their stafi—i same articles greatly diminished. American boots and shoes are in every way up-to-date, the leather is tanned in the best possible manner, as here they have a distinct advantage over us in that they have a bark which is eminently suited for tanning purposes, the shapes are good, and the wear excellent, so much so that, as a matter of economy, I buy nothing else, and more than half the people I meet tell the same tale. One has but to look around and find that the whole country is flooded with American inventions, nearly all of which are excellent—and—these come into the land free of duty. I had my eyes very much opened on the subject a few days by an American. He said: Say we are a little slack of dle, it pays us, in order to keep our hinds employed, to over-produce an article of general commerce; we sell it in the States at say eight dollar: where it is protected; the residue we can afford to ship over to Bngland and sell at a considerable reduction, because we can take it in duty free. Our Government. must know all this perfectly well, and many people are devoutly hoping that they may sce their way to the taxation of for-gri products rather than a further increased income tax.
8th March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.