all their energies to promote the consumption of goods from their respective countries, may be attributed as a reason why no more interest is taken in the importation of American fabrics. The provision trade is mostly surrendered to the United States, because Europe cannot compete with America in this line. But in regard to dry goods it is different; and the European houses strive hard to monopolize this entire trade. GEORGE C. Ross, Vice Commercial Agent. JUNE 30, 1862. I have the honor to send you herewith a list of the arrivals and departures from this port for the quarter ended to-day, viz: eleven American vessels, whose aggregate tonnage amounts to 1,755 tons. Their cargoes consisted of American goods to the value of $61,093 27, and their return cargoes of the produce of the island, amounting in value to $15,348 41. In addition to the value of American merchandise imported in American vessels during the three months, there has been imported in British vessels from New York and Boston value to the extent of $55,147 58, thus making a total of $116,240 85 worth of American goods imported into this port in the space of three months. The value of the exports bears no proportion to that of the imports, the total value exported only amounting to $26,560 17. Considerable shipments of specie have been made, which do not figure in the tables, nor can the amount be ascertained with accuracy. Remittances have also been made in bills of exchange, the favorable rates attainable in New York and Boston encouraging such remittances, while the high prices in Europe of this country's produce have induced shipments thither. The trade between this island and the United States is gradually increasing; and I suspect the statistical tables for the quarter ended December 31 will exhibit a very considerable improvement on those now sent. Now that Hayti has been recognized as an ind pendent state, it would probably contribute materially to the welfare of both nations that a commercial treaty exist between the two powers. I am not aware that there is any treaty between this government and any of the European powers, and the first to form a precedent may attain the greatest advantages. A commercial treaty would form an excellent sequel to the recognition of independence, and would not be without numerous advantages to the United States. * The domestic fabrics of the United States are much appreciated in this country, but costing a little higher than similar goods manufactured in Britain, the consumption is curtailed. In the commercial treaty, the duty on such goods could be arranged for a favored nation, and the United States in compensation could favor the agriculture in Hayti by allowing St. Domingo coffee to pass at a reduced duty. There is every prospect that emigration of the African race from the United States to Hayti will extend very considerably. This I think the government should encourage and promote as far as possible. The entire population of the Haytian port does not certainly exceed four hundred and fifty thousand souls; whereas it could easily support a population of five or six millions, and would not even then be so densely populated as Ireland. A continuous and ample stream of emigration would so change the Haytian element that revolutions would be impossible. * CAPE HAYTIAN.-ARTHUR FOLSOM, Commercial Agent. OCTOBER 23, 1862. I have the honor of transmitting herewith my official returns for the quarter ending September 30, 1862, as also my yearly return up to the same date. By the enclosed yearly and quarterly returns it will be perceived that, although the European tonnage is now more than three times that of the United States, still the imports from Europe are less than the imports from the United States. It will, likewise, be perceived that the exports to Europe are far in advance of those to the United States. This is in consequence of the higher prices of coffee and logwood in Europe, which enables the American merchant to make more favorable remittances in payment for his goods from the United States by purchasing drafts on Europe or in gold, as circumstances may dictate. The excess of European tonnage is in consequence of the large quantities of logwood shipped to Europe as freight, mostly in French bottoms. French vessels continue to arrive at this port in ballast, having landed cargoes of coal at Samana, where the French government has a large deposit. * Statement showing the tonnage of European ressels arrived at the ports of Cape Haytian and Gonaives during the year ended September 30, 1862, together with the value of their inward and outward cargoes. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. ST. DOMINGO.-WM. G. W. YAEGER, Commercial Agent. APRIL 1, 1862. It is now four months since I arrived here and took charge of this commercial agency. Last February I made a visit to the vice-agency at Porto Plata, and I can freely say that, in my life, I have never seen a more beautiful and fertile country. The mountains are rich with very valuable woods and minerals of all descriptions, and the plains are clothed in rich verdure, and all that is requisite for the raising of stock. The road (if it can be called such) from this to Santiago, which is four days' journey, is difficult and dangerous, and does not afford the welcome of an inn. The principal villages on the road are Cotny, La Vega, and Maca; and the principal production is a fine tobacco used for wrappers. The majority of the population are whites, and are industrious; but, unfortunately, for the want of roads or means of transportation, the expenses consume the profits. Santiago is the second principal city in this province, and numbers some fifteen thousand souls. There are many handsome stores, and it appears to be a place of considerable business. I left Santiago for its port, called Porto Plata, which is one day's journey. This road is very difficult and dangerous, and the expense of the transport of two hundred pounds of tobacco is twelve dollars. Whenever an easy communication shall be opened to some of the ports of the sea, this part of the island will be one of the richest in the Antilles. Porta Plata is a small town and contains many capitalists, who are principally Germans, and its principal trade is with Hamburg. The people, generally, express their sympathy and sentiments in favor of our Union. Many improvements have been made in this city by restoring the ruins, and houses that commanded only from one to two hundred dollars are now renting for from eight to twelve hundred dollars per annum; and everything else is much more expensive than formerly. One great misfortune is that labor is very scarce, and the balance of trade is greatly against this place, as nearly all the money brought here by Spain has been sent to St. Thomas by the merchants to pay for goods purchased. MEXICO. MEXICO. MARCUS OTTERBOurg. SEPTEMBER 28, 1862. In compliance with section 153, prescribing that consuls should forward to the Department of State at the close of each year a report of the trade of the consular district in which they reside, I have the honor to report that, as far as the imports and exports are concerned, the increase and decrease of the same, I am unable to give the information demanded. Your excellency will see, by enclosure No. 1, that I have made the proper application in order to get the necessary statistics to give a reliable oversight of the foreign trade of this consular district. Enclosed No. 2 explains why I have been unable to comply with that part of my instructions. As to the regulations of trade and their effects little can be said, except that there are no regulations; nor can anything be said about the effects of commercial transactions, trade having virtually ceased for the last ten months. No goods have arrived here from Vera Cruz, or any other port, since the invading army has landed at the said named port. The American capital employed here in industrial, agricultural, scientific, and commercial pursuits is very small. There are, in fact, only two or three American houses here. The entire commerce is in the hands of Germans, English, French, and Spaniards, although this republic, by its position, is naturally tributary to the United States. We have, for want of direct and frequent communication, lost the trade, and thereby given to others what belongs to us—the control of the commercial relations of Mexico. The American population here numbers about one hundred. Over one-half are naturalized citizens. *The agricultural relations of Mexico are in the most deplorable condition. Millions of acres of land, formerly cultivated, are lying idle for want of security and capital. According to my judgment there is a sure way to obtain the commercial position we ought to hold in Mexico-favoring, by all means in our power, direct and frequent communication between that republic and the United States. TAMPICO.-FRANKLIN CHASE, Consul. SEPTEMBER 30, 1862. Statement showing the amount of specie exported from the port of Tampico from November 29, 1861, to September 30, 1862. 1861.-November 29 1862.-March 11 April 30. Amount. $933, 280 83 571, 173 06 2, 355, 018 67 662,345 89 652,988 56 383,990 77 967, 104 80 1, 127, 201 33 7,653, 103 91 NICARAGUA. SAN JUAN DEL NORTE.-B. S. COTRELL, Consul. OCTOBER 6, 1862. The business transacted at this port has been so very small the past year, as, indeed, has been the case for several preceding years, that it is scarcely possible to make a report, such as to attract more than a gleam of interest. The few facts to be stated I will give, as near as possible, in conformity with my instructions, hoping they may prove acceptable. There is no custom-house at this port, but the "Governador Intendente" requires the invoice of all merchandise imported and to be sold here to be presented to him, on which he collects 5 per cent. duties, except on powder and manufactured tobacco; on the former of which a duty of 15 per cent., and on the latter of 20 per cent. is imposed. The articles of import consist of all kinds of merchandise for family consumption. The exports are deer skins, beef hides, Brazil wood, indigo, cocoa, coffee, Indiarubber, turtle shell, sarsaparilla, and, this year, a small lot of cotton. All these articles are produced in the interior of the state, except turtle shell and sarsaparilla, which are brought from along the coast, and here find a market. The present market prices of these productions are― Deer skins, each Beef hides..do... Brazil wood, per ton. Indigo, per quintal Turtle shell, per Cotton......do lb.... $0.50 2.50 40 00 100 00 20 00 20 00 28 00 3 00 0 25 0 15 Of these articles there have been shipped from this port during the last year, (I can give only their estimated value)— There have arrived, from September 30, 1861, to September 30, 1862, forty-seven vessels, of all classes, including the English mail steamers; the whole amount of tonnage being 23,353 tons. Deducting for nine American vessels arrived during the same period, 996 tons, leaves the total other foreign vessels 22,357 tons. Tonnage dues on all vessels entering the port, 15 cents per ton, except vessels-of-war, English mail steamers, and the expected "Central American Transit Co.'s" vessels, which are exempted. In regard to currency and exchange, they remain unchanged. That is, we have no rates of exchange, and the currency remains as it has been for many years past, being reckoned in dollars and cents, counting 100 cents to the dollar. As there have been few or no shipments to the United States the past year, there can be no rate of freights given. All kinds of merchandise are received into the port. There are no bonded warehouses or sanitary regulations. None of our citizens are engaged in any other than mercantile or mechanical pursuits, and no intelligible tabular statement of the consumption of the staple products of the United States, or of any other country, can be made. The attempt at mining, by an American company, near the pueblo of Libertad, in the department of Chontales, a year or two ago, proved an entire failure, and the parties have abandoned the enterprise. Some efforts at cotton culture have been made for a couple of years past; but thus far very little progress has been made. On the other hand, the cultivation of indigo, coffee, and cocoa, during the same period, has considerably increased. * * HONDURAS. BELIZE. GEORGE RAYMOND, Consul. MAY 6, 1862. Enclosed I send you tariff rates adopted by the settlement of British Honduras by act of assembly. SCHEDULE of duties, duES, AND TAXES FROM THE 1ST DAY OF MARCH, 1862, TO THE 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1863, INCLUSIVE, VIZ : Malt liquors and cider, per imperial gallon, or per six reputed quart bottles... Necessaries, regimental and navy, free. Silver ore, free. Spirits, cordials, and liquors, per imperial gallon, or per six reputed quart bottles Spirits and cordials, excise, at per imperial gallon Soap, per hundred weight Sugar and candy, per 100 pounds 01 04 02 03 3 00 06 01 |