EXPORTS OF FOREIGN MERCHANDISE.

The following table shows the value of exports of foreign merchandise to the principal and all other countries, during the year ending June 30, 1886:

During the last fiscal year the value of our imports of merchandise amounted to $635,436,136, of which the value of free goods was $212,159,296 and the value of dutiable goods $423,276,240.

Of the total imports, the value of manufactured articles was $379,987,472, and of crude or partially manufactured articles $255,448,664. (See page 62 and Appendix No. 13.) The total value of imports was $57,908,807 in excess of that of 1885, the increase in the value of free goods. being $18,945,672 and of dutiable goods $38,963,135.

The imported articles which exhibited the largest increase (see page 48) were sugar and molasses, unmanufactured wool, hides and skins, manufactures of wool, and raw silk. It will be observed that the increase in imports occurred principally in crude or unmanufactured articles necessary as materials for use in our manufactures. This is an encouraging feature of the expansion of our imports, and indicates an improved condition of our manufactures and trade. There was considerable falling off in the values of imports of coffee, fish, unmanufactured flax, hemp and jute, and in seeds. Our import trade with the United Kingdom during the last fiscal year increased $17,552,000, with France $6,482,000, with Germany $5,913,000, and with all Europe $38,800,000. During the last fiscal year one-fourth of our imports came from the

United Kingdom, and one-half of our exports were to that country. Our import trade with Europe comprised 56 per cent. of our entire imports; and our export trade to Europe comprised 80 per cent. of our entire exports, all other countries taking only 20 per cent. of them.

Leading articles of imports.

The following table shows the values of merchandise imported into the United States during the years ending June 30, 1882 and 1886, respectively, with the percentage of the aggregate value for 1886, of the imports of each class of merchandise. Comparison is made with the year 1882 for the reason that it was the year of largest import.

Countries whence our imports are brought.

The following table shows the values of merchandise imported into the United States from the principal and all other foreign countries during the years ending June 30, 1882 and 1886, respectively, with the percentage of the aggregate value in the case of each country for 1886: