Yes, most of the goods headed for east coast destinations went through that process.
You said: "If such a large percentage was destined for Southern consumers then why not send them direct?
They were. Quite a large percentage of the goods were direct shipped to New Orleans and Mobile.
You said: "Why the additional cost of the stop in New York? If it's a question of warehouses, they could as easily be built in Charleston as in Boston.
If you would like more information on that, I will give it to you.
Why? Why go through the expense of landing, paying tariffs, reloading, and shipping south? Why not take them there directly?
They were. Quite a large percentage of the goods were direct shipped to New Orleans and Mobile.
For every dollar of tariff paid in New Orleans and Mobile almost 17 were paid in New York.