who sees a profit in sending those articles to the Hanse Towns, would here realize fully as much.

The very extensive tanneries of Prussia located at Malmedi, Siegen, Berlin, Breslau, Mülhausen, and Stettin, require an import of raw hides amounting annually to about 290,000 centners in all. This is mostly the transatlantic article, and comes into Prussia from Hamburg, Belgium, and Great Britain. Of leather tanned, which is again exported, some 60,000 centners are coarse and heavy stuff, and some 16,000 centners of fine-dyed leather; also about 500 centners of leather for gloves, exported mostly to France, America, and England. Besides this, there are of articles manufactured out of coarse leather some 24,000 centners, and out of fine leather some 10,000 centners exported yearly from Prussia. Raw hides, therefore, it seems, should find a good market here. Of the following principal products imported in 1861, were of cotton, (raw,) 200,730 centners; of cotton, (twist,) 164,278 centners, being about 33 per cent. more of both kinds than in 1860; of coffee, 178,620 centners, of which only 8,177 centners direct from Brazil, the rest from Netherlands, England, and France, and exceeding that of 1860 by nearly 50 per cent.; of rice, (unshelled,) 104,355 centners; of rice, (shelled,) 17,698 centners, most all of it East India, and coming largely from Great Britain, being an increase of 25 per cent. to the year previous; of dyewood, 94,167 centners, mostly from Bremen, Hamburg, England, and France, only 7,536 centners from the United States, and 8,250 centners from West India direct, the import exceeding that of 1860 by nearly 25 per cent.; of rosin, 49,957 centners, all but a small portion of it came from Bremen, and being about 50 per cent. less than the year preceding; of lard, 7,315 centners, most from Hungary, and some from England, (probably American,) and just that much more than in 1860; of turpentine, 926 centners; of oil of turpentine, 601 centners, nearly all from France, and about the same quantity as the year before; of potash, 54,487 centners, mostly all from Russia, and nearly the same quantity as in 1860; of hides, raw, 9,067 centners, most from Great Britain and Russia, being an increase of some 60 per cent. from the year previous; of flaxseed, 94,365 centners, most from Russia; of cast iron, 457,602 centners, most from Great Britain; of iron in bars, 108,467 centners, mostly from Sweden, Great Britain, and Hanover; of coal, 3,331,449 centners, all from Great Britain; of ("Thon,") pipe clay, 29,404 centners, most from Netherlands and Great Britain; of pickled herrings, 154,289 barrels, thereof 106,873 barrels from Scottland, and 47,287 from Norway, the rest from the coast; of "Tran,” (blubber oil,) 48,980 barrels from England, Denmark, and Norway. The pickled herrings have much in common with the commercial history of Stettin, and it is found that, from the very first beginning of the town as a trading port in the German empire, its fisheries, and particularly those of herrings, were its main if not the only principal support. As early as 1369, according to old legends, Stettin was a market where large quantities of pickled herrings were sold to the south of Europe, and during the following century large corporations for carrying on the business more extensively and profitably were formed. Those corporations continued to flourish and gave to Stettin most of its glory up to 1560, when their best time seemed to have passed away.

The fish which were caught and salted, not on the German coast, but on that of Schonen, in Sweden, and continued to diminish from year to year, to the great detriment of the fisheries, and with that, envy and quarrels ensued between the several corporations from different German towns, so that in the year 1625 Stettin ceased to have any herring fisheries of its own.

From the fact, nevertherless, of so many of its inhabitants having been engaged in that particular business, the trade with pickled herrings was still carried on, although the fish were now sent here for sale on commission only, first from Norway, and later from Scotland.

This trade has since continued to increase, and Stettin is to-day the largest

herring market on the continent, having, as shown above, received during last year about 155,000 barrels of that fish, and which has been sold at a price ranging from 7 to 11 thalers per barrel for Norwegian and Scotch, and from 9 to 16 thalers per barrel for so called "Matjis herring," all in bond, the duty being 1 thaler per barrel besides. In a previous year already the largest quantity ever brought to this market was disposed of, namely, 205,888 barrels. One of the largest houses in the business here is the enterprising firm of Theod. Hellen, Schroder & Co., himself a man of sterling qualities, of much intelligence, and the most liberal views, a true friend and admirer of America and of American principles.

MARITIME TRADE AND TONNAGE.

From the rapidly increasing "transit" business of Stettin, its shipping is naturally becoming enlarged in proportion, so that during the last year the number and tonnage of vessels entered were as follows:

Prussian vessels in lading, 633, of, together, 68,546 lasts, (1 last about 2 tons;) Prussian vessels in ballast, 78, of, together, 2,332 lasts; foreign vessels in lading, 637, of, together, 39,396 lasts; foreign vessels in ballast, 182, of, together, 7,678 lasts; Prussian mail steamboats, 12; Prussian private steamboats, 162, of, together, 18,754 lasts; foreign mail steamboats, 40; foreign private steamboats, 214, of, together, 50,067 lasts, (most all British bottoms.) All those were arrivals from abroad or foreign ports, besides which there entered from Prussian ports off the coast, &c., steam and sailing vessels, together, 161, making a total of 2,119 vessels entered, being 391 more than in 1860. Again, the number of vessels cleared were: Prussian vessels in lading, 702; Prussian vessels in ballast, 6; foreign vessels in lading, 821; foreign vessels in ballast, 11; Prussian mail steamboats, 12; Prussian private steamboats, 153; foreign mail steamboats, 40; foreign private steamboats, 181; all those for abroad or foreign ports, besides to Prussian ports off the coast, &c. Prussian and foreign sailing and steam vessels together, 576; making a total of 2,504 vessels cleared, or 402 over and above the number of the year preceding.

Vessels and tonnage owned in Stettin: sailing vessels, 162, of, together, 26,914 lasts; steam vessels and towboats, 39, of, together, 2,472 lasts.

Out of the first number about fifty are constantly engaged on distant waters, carrying freight between North and South America, East and West Indies, Great Britain, Hanse Towns, and the continent of Europe, and which employment has, during the last year, proved very remunerative to the vessel owners. A company is now in contemplation here having in view to establish new steamboat lines between this port, Denmark and Russia. The capital stock is calculated to be 400,000 thalers, in shares of 500 thalers each, and it is considered to become a well-paying enterprise.

Of ship-building in Prussia the larger number are smaller crafts, mostly built at Barth, Greifswald, or Veckermunde. Larger vessels are generally built at this port and that of Dantzic. At the latter place is the only dry dock in Prussia, and which is also used by the royal navy. During last year seven vessels were built at Stettin, namely: 2 barges, 2 three-masted schooners, 1 brig, and 1 small schooner; also, 1 small propeller; and throughout the whole of Prussia together, 94 vessels were built for Prussian owners, against 74 in 1860, besides two vessels for foreign account. During the same period 75 Prussian vessels were totally lost or wrecked, and at the beginning of this year 60 new vessels were under construction, of which number only two at this port. The grand total of vessels owned and under construction in Prussia by the 1st of January, 1862, being altogether 1,426, of 188,265 lasts burden, and of those only 936 are what is called sea-going, the balance being smaller crafts and coasters.

Having heard of complaints by shipmasters coming here for the first time

over too high charges against vessels entering and clearing at Swinemünde and Stettin, I have obtained precise information, and find the following to be the

EXPENSES FOR A VESSEL OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY LASTS.

Steam towage from sea to Swinemunde, (if required).

Boat assistance..

Commission for clearing..

Pr. Thal. 63

634

63

63

63

11

91

91

13

21

30

Commission for clearing...

Steam towage from Swinemunde to Stettin, at 103 s. gr. per last, (if required)...

53

Steam towage from Stettin to Swinemunde, at the same rate, (if required)..

531

Pr. thal. 160, 25 s. gr.

or grand total, 373 thalers, 17 silver groschens, and 6 pfennings, equal to about 269 American dollars.

All those charges increase at the same ratio with the larger size of the vessel, but by entering or clearing in ballast the harbor dues are only one-half either way of the amount above specified. Sand for ballasting will cost, with use of scaffold rafters and wheelbarrows, per last, 15 s. gr., (a half thaler.)

Regular traders, (steamers,) coming here frequently, like some from Great Britain, and at duly specified, or beforehand announced, day and hour, pay only one-half of all above charges. Vessels drawing over 143 feet of water have to discharge part of their cargo at Swinemunde, from where it is brought to Stettin in lighters, at from one to two thalers per last.

By average cases vessels having sustained injuries at sea, coming to Swinemunde for relief, when destined to Stettin, are charged one thaler per last for the vessel, and one thaler per last for cargo, if taken out, when in addition 14 thaler a month is paid for storage thereof per last. Vessels in average not destined to Stettin, and seeking Swinemunde for relief, are charged two per cent. ad valorem of ship and cargo.

For provisioning and fitting out vessels the so-called "Vorpommersche Hafens" are best and cheapest, namely, Stralsund, Barth, Greifswald, and others. Freights into the interior are comparatively cheap, and on rivers and canals about 150 per cent. less than on railroads. Much of the merchandise brought to Stettin from Hamburg or Bremen comes by way of water through the North sea, and the time required varies from 18 to 22 days, against three or four days H. Ex. Doc. 63-25

by railroad. Again, the cost of freight is from six to eight groschens per centner by water, against 23 to 25 groschens by railroad.

The most important canals in Prussia are: 1st. The Bromberger canal, connecting the river Nitze with the Brahe, and thus bringing the Vistula in connexion with the Oder, by means and way of which connexions all the timber, lumber, &c., coming from Poland is brought into Prussia. 2d. The Frederick William canal, connecting the Oder with the Spree; and 3d, the Neider Finon canal, also bringing the Oder together with the Spree. They are both calcu lated to carry supplies into Berlin by water; by the one, goods coming from Silesia, and by the other, such as come from Stettin, and out of the Nitze and Wartha rivers.

A new railroad, named "Vorpommersche Eisenbahn," is to be opened at the end of this or beginning of next year, connecting the northernmost places of Pomerania, such as Barth, Stralsund, Greifswald, &c.; also many and important intermediate places with this port, and running through the richest agricultural part of the province. This new road is calculated to bring much advantage to Stettin, and to largely increase its receipts of grain. At the same time it will materially benefit Stralsund in its trade, shipping, and travelling connexions with Scandinavia. The mail steamers from there, for instance, now coming to this place will then go to Stralsund only, from where post and passengers will proceed further on the new railroad.

There are at present no other railroads under construction leading to Stettin, but it has become known that the minister of trade contemplates building one from Swinemunde to Stargard, and another from Swinemunde to Anklam. The first, it is said, in purpose to connect the Baltic with the Mediterranean by a continued road of rails, and the other principally out of strategic considerations, so as to bring Swinemunde, on the Baltic, intimately together with Berlin, by way of the Vorpommersche railroad. As, however, a railroad from Swinemunde to Stettin would answer both purposes just as well, and as the consummation of the ministerial project would be of great disadvantage to Stettin, in a commercial point of view, it will, undoubtedly, meet with a very decided opposition from her.

The Royal Pussian Bank is at present, perhaps, the safest banking institu tion to be found anywhere. By laws concurred in by the "landtag" of 1857, this bank is allowed to issue three thalers in notes for every thaler of silver in their vaults, but, as yet, no use has been made of this in itself limited privilege, and since many years the amount of paper money exceeds that of specie by only ten millions thalers; so that at present, with a circulation of ninety millions in currency, the bank holds in its vaults eighty millions in silver. The rate of discount at this institution is four per cent., and liberal accommodations are given the mercantile and business community.

The private banking institutions of Prussia are, by law, made just as safe. So, for instance, is the "Ritterschafttiche Bank," in Stettin, having a capital on shares of one and a half million thalers, and being allowed to issue notes to the amount of one million, compelled to secure those issues by one-third in silver and two-thirds in prima drafts, bonds, or obligations, and this, separate from all other valuties of the bank, under the constant inspection of a committee appointed by the government, and having the control of those securities.

Of mills, iron-works, factories, &c., in and about Stettin, all doing a very good business, and among them the Vulcan Mechanical Machine and Iron Works, have lately increased their personal to one thousand men. The Möller & Holberg's works, of the same character, are also on a steady increase, employing at present some five hundred men.

At those establishments iron vessels, and all sorts of machinery, are built, from a locomotive to a wheelbarrow. In the province are some establishments also where agricultural and other implements are manufactured, many of them

imitations of American patterns and patents, but gotten up on a cheap scale. They are generally much inferior.

The present depot accommodations here, at the terminus of all the railroads entering Stettin, having been found insufficient to the increased demands on its capacities, a project is now under contemplation, by which to enlarge the grounds and buildings very extensively, requiring some millions of thalers for its completion. Great exertions are also being made to have the whole city enlarged, as it is becoming too small for the growth of its population and business, and from its nature, being a fortress, cannot be extended without either removing the fortifications further out, or else demolishing them altogether. The latter plan is being warmly advocated by the commercial interest, and a deputation from here have lately waited upon the King, at Berlin, petitioning him to assent to the demolition of the fortifications around Stettin, with a view of making the city larger and finer, of superior accommodations, and less endangered from fire. It is also argued, in connexion, that the grounds now occupied by the fortifications would bring the government many millions of thalers, which might be expended, for the same purpose, (military protection to this part of Prussia,) at a more strategic point. To ask for such a concession, in a military power like this, is, nevertheless, to entertain very great expectations; but it is said that the King received the proposition very kindly, and promised to give to the same a careful consideration, so that it may become possible, in the course of a few years, that an old feudal stronghold, like that of Stettin, will have to give way for the pressure of the enlightenment and progress of the peaceful pursuits of our age; a result which, in former days, could only have been acquired by means of bombs, shells, and bullets.

The city of Stettin has hitherto been supplied with water by large pumps placed on wells dug in the streets; but from the inadequacy of the supply, particularly at accidents by fire, and from the frequent giving out of the wells and the disorder of the pumps, aside from the inconvenience of fetching the water through the streets and into the houses up several flights of stairs, the city authorities have now decided upon the erection of a hydraulic work by which to furnish the inhabitants with good water uninterruptedly, and so as to have it readily at hand for extinguishing fires. The hilly nature of the city will, nevertheless, render it a very difficult and costly undertaking, so it is not to be wondered at it has not earlier been accomplished. Among plans offered for carrying out the project, one has already been accepted by the authorities, and for which a premium of eight hundred thalers was awarded the author, a German engineer.

All those improvements contemplated and to be carried into execution, coming as they do simultaneously, are positive assurances of an enterprising spirit prevailing of progress and expansion, and I have mentioned them in support of my thesis at the outset, that Stettin is becoming one of the most important commercial places in the north of Europe. She has already eclipsed one of the Hansa's Lubec, and she will strive to draw near to the others. Her population, with the suburbs, is 80,199, and that of the province of Pomerania 1,100,000 in all.

SWINEMUnde.

This being, in fact, the preliminary or out-port of Stettin, every vessel from without must pass and clear here before being allowed to proceed; and it is at Swinemunde, therefore, where most of the charges against vessels bound for Stettin, as stated above, are exacted, being distant from the latter about thirty American miles, comprising Grosses and Kleines Haff, and part of the river Oder, which intervenes between the two ports.

The harbor of Swinemunde is a very excellent one, made so by artificial