"Running the blockade"
--Its Bad Effects.--The Charleston Courier in commenting upon the sales of blockade goods in that city says:‘ It may be questioned whether the country, or any large class of citizens, is benefited by the importation of goods at the prices that have been obtained at auction, according to reports of sales that have appeared in our columns. It may be worth consideration, also, whether in the present attitude of the Confederacy and of foreign nations chiefly interested in the blockade. it does not become the duty of our Government to exercise a more vigilant control and inspection over all enterprises against the blockade. The cotton which leaves Confederate ports is in many, if not all cases, sold at a lower rate on account of a restriction or condition imposed, that it shall not be sold to New York. It there any restriction or condition imposed or enforced that the money result of the cotton will not be applied to New York?
Is not the Nassau agent, who is largely concerned in Confederate arrivals and clearances, also the agent for most of the trade between Nassau and New York? Have not many packages of Yankee manufactures been introduced in Confederate ports? The whole matter deserves attention and investigation, and it appears strange that, after attempting to regulate trade and prices in some many respects of less importance, an unlimited and irresponsible license has been allowed in this field.
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