Part 14

1866-67 299,504:651

Compared with 1865-66, namely 294,854:400

———————————

There was an augment of 4,650:251

Or 1.5 per cent., and, if compared with the average of 255,483:836 1861-2 to 1865-6, namely

There was an increase of 44,020:815, or 17.2 per cent.

The value of the importation with certificate (carta de guia) was in 1865-67 24,902:670$, 823:969$, or 3.4 per cent. more than in 1865-6, 2,448:821$, or 12.6 per cent. more than the average of the five years 1861-2 to 1865-6.

The re-exportation in 1866-7 rose to 1,786:052$, 447:993$, or 33.4 per cent. more than in 1865-6, and 377:686$, or 26.8, than the average of 1861-2 to 1865-6.

The number of national and foreign vessels cleared in the foreign trade of 1866-7 was:—

Entered 3,439 vessels 1,245,214 tons 51,450 men. Sailed 2,429 vessels 1,496,274[A] tons 49,655 men.

Including nationals:—

Entered 255 vessels 43,579 tons 1,953 men. Sailed 209 vessels 47,703[7] tons 2,174 men.

The products of Brazil are very varied, but the principal articles, and the relative positions they occupy in the commerce of the country, will be seen by the estimated quantity and value of the exports from Rio de Janeiro for 1867, as stated in the Official Report to our Foreign Office by Mr. Pakenham:—

Quantity. Value. Coffee lbs. 424,532,680 £8,776,590 Sugar lbs. 8,980,960 106,752 Cotton lbs. 9,240,000 350,000 Rum pipes 3,865 40,000 Salted hides pipes 4,200,000 57,540 Dry hides pipes 250,000 8,250 Tapioca barrels 11,294 25,066 Horns barrels 116,860 1,519 Tobacco bales 51,615 154,845 Diamonds oitavas 5,704 37,000 —————————— Total £9,558,287

The exports from Pernambuco, Para, Bahia, Santos, and Rio Grande do Sul during the same period amount to about £7,000,000.

Mr. Pakenham, in the same report, also remarks:—“The Brazilian imports and exports for the last year for which there are Customs statistics amounted to £14,348,374 for imports, and to £15,607,090 for exports, and the total commercial movement with foreign countries had then increased 17 per cent. on the average of the preceding five years.”

The trade statistics of the Argentine Republic are quite as encouraging as those of its Imperial ally. I have before me a valuable communication of Mr. Daniel Maxwell, of Buenos Ayres, addressed to the Sociedade Rural Argentina, in which he makes the following comparative statements as to the exports of produce during the periods mentioned:—

From 1858 to 1862. From 1862 to 1867. Dry Ox and Cow Hides 5,554,417 6,798,152 Salted Ox and Cow Hides 1,972,755 2,325,084 Dry Horse Hides 305,057 197,264 Salted Horse Hides 780,190 617,945 Bales of Wool 251,191 608,706 Bolsas of Wool 7,456 9,517

With the exception of horse hides these figures manifest a very material and striking augmentation in the productive energy of the Republic. The proportionate distribution is shown in the annexed tables:—

DRY OX, COW, AND HORSE HIDES.

From 1858 to 1862. From 1862 to 1867. Great Britain .233 2.816 France 11.936 8.054 Belgium, Holland, and Germany 25.847 11.585 United States 29.029 48.904 Italy 12.844 10.562 Spain 18.011 17.985 Sweden and Norway .094 ——————— ——————— 100.000 100.000

SALTED OX, COW, AND HORSE HIDES.

From 1858 to 1862. From 1862 to 1867. Great Britain 63.123 45.484 France 12.592 14.533 Belgium, Holland, and Germany 17.873 31.807 United States 2.626 1.889 Italy 3.482 4.893 Spain 6.304 .408 Sweden and Norway .914 ——————— ——————— 100.000 100.000

WOOLS.

From 1858 to 1862. From 1862 to 1867. Great Britain 10.273 7.235 France 27.508 25.109 Belgium, Holland, and Germany 39.784 45.433 United States 21.083 20.340 Italy 1.303 1.766 Spain .039 .030 Sweden and Norway .087 ——————— ——————— 100.000 100.000

The number of sheep skins exported from 1858 to 1862 was 8,705,883 against 20,776,898 from 1862 to 1867; and with respect to the wool exported it may be desirable to explain that a bale of wool usually contains 34 arrobas, and that four _bolsas_ or _chiguas_ are equivalent to a bale. According to this calculation, the export of wool from 1858 to 1862 reached 8,705,883 arrobas against 20,776,898 arrobas from 1862 to 1867.

The war with Paraguay, though it has undoubtedly pressed upon the financial resources of the Republic, has in no manner arrested its commercial, industrial, and fiscal progress. This is very clearly apparent from statistics furnished by his Excellency Don Norberto de la Riestra in connection with the issue of the recent Argentine loan contracted in this country to cover the balance of the extraordinary expenditure caused by the protracted struggle with Lopez. I quote as follows from the document referred to, the value of which will be obvious:—

The official value of the foreign trade of the Republic through the port of Buenos Ayres alone in 1865 was as follows:—

Imports £5,420,603 Exports 4,399,355 —————————— Total £9,819,958

In 1866 it was:—

Imports £6,453,817 Exports 4,605,942 ——————————— Total £11,059,759

The real value of the aggregate trade for 1866, including the other ports of the Republic, cannot be estimated at less than £16,000,000, and has continued since to augment.

The declared value of produce and manufactures exported from the United Kingdom to the Republic in 1867 has amounted to £2,838,037, taking in this respect the lead of all the other South American States, Brazil only excepted.

The export of wool, which is the staple article, from the port of Buenos Ayres alone was as follows:—

Season 1863-64 77,343,200 lbs. Season 1864-65 104,688,000 lbs. Season 1865-66 120,362,400 lbs.

and the same progressive increase is observable in the other productions of the country.

Referring to Brazil, every Parisian luxury is found in the cities, Rio de Janeiro being full of French shops, and the Rua d'Ouvidor, one of its principal streets, is almost exclusively French. Of course many important trades and industrial occupations are carried on, and in particular the manufacture of carriages, which equal in elegance and solidity those of any country in Europe. Iron foundries, iron ship-building, and other useful establishments also exist; but there are few cotton, woollen, or silk manufactories. Therefore the commerce of Brazil is almost entirely one of exchange.

As regards the River Plate, a large trade is maintained with France, Belgium, and other parts of Europe, where River Plate produce is extensively consumed. It is only necessary to look at the manner in which the ladies of Monte Video and Buenos Ayres dress to form an idea of the extent of French imports to those places. There are no manufactories in the River Plate beyond such as have been specified in regard to Brazil, carriage making being equally conspicuous.

It is a feature in the Board of Trade Returns that Paraguay, which has of late years caused such a noise in the world, makes no figure whatever. Now of course it is under blockade, but previous to that event the figures were almost _nil_. Had the ruler of that country used his energies to produce and export 5,000 bales of cotton annually, for which article the land and climate are admirably adapted, what would have been the state and condition of Paraguay at the present moment? It is not requisite to enlarge on such a topic.

Whilst adverting to the commerce of these countries, and to their internal wealth, their mineral products must not be left out of sight, and in this respect Brazil possesses a great superiority from the steady working of her gold and diamond mines, which have always been a source of considerable revenue, even though they are probably not yet very perfectly explored. To do this it requires a large outlay of money and the enterprise of private individuals or public companies. Formerly the mines were worked exclusively for the Crown.

The Argentine Republic has not yet given much signs of mineral activity, but there can be no doubt gold exists, as well as silver, in the Andine Provinces, and when the railway is carried on to Cordova we may hear a good deal more of the San Juan silver mines, to the development of which Major Rickards has devoted himself for so many years.

In the Banda Oriental gold has long been known to exist in the mountains of Canapiru, and the indefatigable Mr. Bankhart has succeeded in forming a company of Monte Videan shareholders to operate there. He is now in England obtaining the needful machinery and securing workmen for the mines. If successful it will be a great boon to the country, and may assist in providing a future metallic currency, from lack of which things now appear to be at a deadlock.

It will be seen from this short summary how closely our commercial interests are identified with those of the countries referred to, and how desirable it is, as at present, that the most friendly relations should be maintained with them. Nor are these likely to be again disturbed. In every port and city in South America are to be found British merchants and representatives of the country, the latter placed there, not, as previously, with a view to cavil, find fault, and threaten, but to see fair play and justice impartially administered to British subjects. The doctrine of non-interference in the political squabbles of other countries is now generally adopted, diplomatic meddlers are discouraged, and the post of foreign minister in South America is much more agreeable than formerly.

Footnote 6:

It may be interesting to show the progressive nature of them by taking the Board of Trade figures in connection with those countries for the previous four years as follows:—

Brazil— Imports. Exports. Total. 1863 £4,491,000 4,082,641 8,573,641 1864 7,021,121 6,369,359 13,400,480 1865 6,797,241 5,771,024 12,468,265 1866 7,237,793 7,358,141 14,595,934

River Plate— 1863 £2,460,280 1,897,164 3,357,444 1864 2,285,486 2,788,653 5,074,139 1865 2,263,540 2,824,823 5,088,363 1866 2,613,263 4,250,470 6,863,733

Footnote 7:

The “sailed” are toneladas of 1,728 lbs.

THE RIVER AMAZON.

As it has not been my good fortune to visit this mighty stream, I cannot, of course, speak of it from personal experience, but the Amazon is exciting so much attention in various parts of the world in consequence of the late voyage of Professor Agassiz that a brief notice may not be out of place here.

Most persons have read Mr. Bates' very interesting work, “The Naturalist on the Amazon,” in which he has described in so graphic a manner the wonders of that country in the shape of animal and vegetable life. Since it was written a great change has taken place in the future prospects of the Amazon by the politic step of the Brazilian Government in throwing open its waters to the flags of all nations, from which will result much valuable information, if it is not immediately followed by commercial progress to the extent that some sanguine writers have foretold. This act has called forth in Europe and America the most gratifying tributes in commendation of the unselfish attitude thus assumed by Brazil towards the commerce of the world. The American journals are especially unstinted in their praise. With regard to the probable consequences of this measure one writer, the Rev. J. C. Fletcher, states as follows:—

The opening of the Amazon, which occurred on the 7th of September, 1867, and by which the great river is free to the flags of all nations from the Atlantic to Peru, and the abrogation of the monopoly of the coast trade from the Amazon to the Rio Grande do Sul, whereby 4,000 miles of Brazilian sea coast are open to the vessels of every country, cannot fail not only to develop the resources of Brazil, but will prove of great benefit to the bordering Hispano-American Republics and to the maritime nations of the earth. The opening of the Amazon is the most significant indication that the leven of the narrow monopolistic Portuguese conservatism has at last worked out. Portugal would not allow Humboldt to enter the Amazon valley in Brazil. The result of the new policy is beyond the most sanguine expectation. The exports and imports for Para for October and November, 1867 were double those of 1866. This is but the beginning. Soon it will be found that it is cheaper for Bolivia, Peru, Equador, and New Granada east of the Andes to receive their goods from and to export their indiarubber, chincona, &c., to the United States and Europe _via_ the great water highway which discharges into the Atlantic than by the long, circuitous route of Cape Horn, or the Trans-Isthmian route of Panama. The Purus and the Madeira are hereafter to be navigated by steamers. The valley of the Amazon in Brazil is as large as the area of the United States east of Colorado, while the valley of the Amazon in and out of Brazil is equal to all the United States east of California, Oregon, and Washington territory, and yet the population is not equal to the single city of Rio de Janeiro or the combined inhabitants of Boston and Chicago. It is estimated that a larger population can be sustained in the valley of the Amazon than elsewhere on the globe.

Explorations have already been commenced by enterprising men from the Southern States of America, who have no doubt of the adaptability of the soil and of the climate on the banks of this noble stream for all the productions of the torrid zone. One of these pioneers, Mr. John W. Dowsing, has lately presented a most interesting report, with respect to the resources of Para, to his Excellency the President of that important province:—

May it please your Excellency, I herewith have the honour to submit a succinct Report of a recent exploration of a portion of the valley of the Amazon, and some of the tributaries of the Amazon river, by me, accompanied by Captain John B. Jones, George M. Sandidge, Charles H. Mallory, and Charles M. Broom, and all under the patronage of the Imperial Government of Brazil.

In accordance with instructions from the Minister of Agriculture to your Excellency, I was furnished with transportation, and one conto of reis to defray incidental expenses, and letters to various officials within the Province of Para to facilitate my explorations and secure as far as practicable every information I might desire in regard to the country, in order that I might more fully report to those of my countrymen in the United States who are now deeply interested in emigration.

Myself and party, consisting of the four above-named gentlemen, left Belem on the 9th of November, 1867, on board the steamer Soure for Cameta on the Rio Tocantins. After several days' preparation we ascended that river nearly to the falls; returning we ascended the Amazon and Tapajoz rivers to the town of Santarem and surrounding country, thence to the contiguous islands and up the Tapajoz, thence up the Amazon river to its junction with the Rio Negro to the city of Manaos.

From Manaos we made several excursions into the country. It was my purpose to go to Rio Branco, but utterly failing to obtain transportation, after remaining twenty-two days, I changed my course to Rio Matary and the lakes into which it leads.

The information I obtained at the various places visited would doubtless be of great utility to the commercial world. It would open up a new market for the various productions, and new fields for the employment of industry.

The trade up the valley of the Amazon, upon the great river and its numerous tributaries, is very considerable. Its full extent and value does not appear in the published statistics of your commerce.

The trade up this magnificent valley is susceptible of almost unlimited expansion. It stands alone in the inconceivable grandeur of its capabilities and the wonderful sublimity of its future destinies.

This magnificent valley, with its wonderful and inexhaustible resources, will form a great avenue of commercial communication between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. It is an immense prolific theatre for the formation of colonies. There is no doubt but that the best route for many manufactures from Europe and North America to Peru is through the valley of the Amazon. The productions of this wonderful valley are necessarily very diversified. They include all the tropical vegetables and fruits, many kinds of furniture and dyewoods, many medicinal drugs, and in the elevated lands it is peculiarly rich in minerals. The great staples exported in which the commercial world is interested are indiarubber, cacao, sarsaparilla, tobacco, hides salted and green, various vegetable oils, cotton, deer skins, isinglass, urucu, rice, &c., &c.

The general surface of a great portion of the Province of Para is even and undulating while it is diversified with many rich campos and numerous beautiful lakes and streams, filled with every variety of fish and turtle. Elevated lands, rising here and there, impart variety, grandeur, and picturesque beauty to its scenery.

To expatiate upon the beauty, capabilities, and resources of the numerous streams tributary to the great basin of the Amazon, the country margining these streams, the general characteristics of the inhabitants, &c., would invite and justify a voluminous report. I will content myself, however, with a few reflections upon the brilliant future that awaits this favoured country.

My investigations disclose that the valley of the Amazon is one immense forest of valuable timber, woods of the finest grain, and susceptible of the highest polish: adapted to cabinet purposes. For building vessels there is no woods on the earth equal to those grown in the valley of the Amazon.

This is the country for indiarubber, sarsaparilla, balsam, copaiba, gum copal, animal and vegetable wax, cocoa, castanha nuts, sapucaia nuts, tonka beans, ginger, black pepper, arrowroot, annetto, indigo, dyes of the gayest colours, and drugs of rarest medicinal virtues.

These immense forests are filled with game, and all the rivers and lakes are filled with fish and turtle.

The climate of this country is salubrious and the temperature most agreeable. The direct rays of the sun are tempered by a constant east wind, laden with moisture from the ocean, so that one never suffers from either heat or cold. I found the nights invariably cool enough to use blankets. With the succulent tropical fruits, the great variety of game, and the salubrious climate, this country is a paradise for the indolent man; for here he can maintain life almost without an effort.

The geographical position of Belem gives it many advantages. It is in the direct route of vessels to or from European and North American ports and the Pacific and Indian oceans. Therefore this city could be made a half way station for vessels thus bound to receive orders.

With an interior river navigation of many thousands of miles, with a soil of great fertility, and a climate which allows tropical vegetation to develop itself in all its luxuriance, with varied and inexhaustible mineral wealth, the Provinces of Para and Amazonas are specially marked out by nature to become the most wealthy country on the globe.

Belem possesses the requisites for carrying on commerce on an extensive scale. The right steps have been adopted in inaugurating and securing a general commercial system for Belem by the establishment of the Amazon Steamship Company.

In order to build up this city and country, and make it what the future determines it to be, the mineral and agricultural resources must be developed.

The slave population is being rapidly diminished by the war with Paraguay and self-emancipation. How is this labour to be re-supplied? It can only be done by the immigration of the hard working, industrious yeomanry of the United States and Europe. The surplus population of Europe and the disaffected citizens in the Southern portion of the United States will find their way to this immediate section of the country.

The great exodus will as naturally flow into the vast arable area of the valley of the Amazon as did the tribes of Asia flow into Europe through the passes of the Caucausus.

Every advancing wave of population will lift higher and higher the gathering flood of human life, which the moment it commences to press upon the means of subsistence in their respective countries must pour all of its vast tide of human beings into the great valley of the Amazon, and will eventually unite in one living chain of industrial life the waters of the Atlantic with the Pacific.

This country as yet is but a wilderness, but the inexorable laws of civilisation will at no distant day thread the labyrinthian mazes of this immensely fertile valley, and when teeming with industrious life it will pour into the coffers of this Empire untold wealth, thereby giving this portion of the Imperial Government a significance second to no portion of the earth.