THE
ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY
AT THE
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION,
CHICAGO, 1893
++ PLEASE NOTE MAP.
THE
ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY
AT THE
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION,
CHICAGO, 1893.
GEOGRAPHY, RURAL INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, GENERAL STATISTICS.
BY
CARLOS MARIA DE PENA
AND
HONORE ROUSTAN, Director of the General Statistics Office
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY J. J. RETHORE.
MONTEVIDEO.
1893
NOTICE.
MONTEVIDEO, December 31st, 1892.
_To the Hon. President of "Chicago Exhibition" Executive Committee:_
On delivering the Spanish text of these notes and statistical
inquiries, the compiling of which we have taken under our care as
a patriotic duty, it is convenient to observe that, if the present
work principally contains facts and particulars only relative to the
year 1891, it is because complete general statistics covering the
year 1892 are not yet to be had, as the "Board of Statistics" do not
publish the "Annual" till the second quarter of the year 1893, and
also because it has been considered better to conserve a certain
general unity in the compiling of facts and particulars. If, in a few
special cases, any particulars of the year 1892 have been quoted, it
was merely with the purpose of supplying to some deficiency.
The time which the Commission has had to dispose has been very short
for a work of this kind; the particulars that existed at the "Board
of Statistics" had to be used, and it was impossible to get any new
ones, at least as completely and as quickly as it was required; and
that if, notwithstanding so many difficulties, it has been possible
to deliver the present work in due time, it is because the Director
of the "Board of General Statistics" had already compiled nearly all
of it, so that the only thing to be done has been to introduce a few
short amplifications, sometimes to change the order, and some others
to make a few important corrections.
The only thing we are sorry for, is not to have received all the
particulars and information we had asked for, so as to give to the
present work a greater novelty and a more seducing form--that, with a
greater number of facts and particulars, might reveal what is, what
can be, and what is to be, one day or other the Oriental Republic,
with all its economical and social elements, and with all the new
elements that will be created, owing to the benefits of peace and
owing to the work and energy of the inhabitants, under the protecting
shield of a severe and provident Administration.
Having concluded this work which was committed to our care, and
thinking that the translator, Mr. J. J. RETHORE, will finish his in
the first fortnight of the next year, we have the honor of saluting
the Honorable President with all our greatest consideration and
esteem.
HONORE ROUSTAN.
CARLOS M. DE PENA.
MINISTER OF FOREIGN RELATIONS,
MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 27, 1893.
_To the Consul-General:_
The Government has this day issued the following decree:
Ministry of Foreign Relations. Decree. Montevideo, January 27,
1893.
In view of the representation made by the Ministry of Public Works
(Fomento) in a note of present date, the President of the Republic
decrees:
ARTICLE 1. The following are appointed as members of the Commission
representing the Republic of Uruguay in the Universal Exposition at
Chicago: President, Senor Don Prudencio de Murguiondo, Consul-General
in the United States of North America; Special Commissioner, Don
Lucio Rodriguez Diez; and Regular Commissioner, Don Alberto Gomez
Ruano, Dr. Don Eduardo Chucarro, and Don Ricardo Hughes.
ART. 2. The said Commissioners will arrange directly with the Central
Commission at Montevideo in everything relating to their duties.
ART. 3. Let this decree be published and recorded.
Signed: HERRERA Y OBES,
MANUEL HERRERO Y ESPINOSA.
Any information regarding Uruguay will be cheerfully given by the
Commissioners at Chicago till the Exposition closes, and after that
by the Consul-General of Uruguay, at Washington, D. C., or the
following Consuls and Vice-Consuls.
_CONSULS._
THOMAS A. EDDY, NEW YORK.
KAFAEL S. SALAS, SAVANNAH, GA.
JOSE COSTA, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
LEONCE RABILLON, BALTIMORE, MD.
JAMES E. MARRETT, PORTLAND, MAINE.
EDUARDO FORNIAS, PHILADELPHIA.
C. C. TURNER, CHICAGO, ILL.
_VICE-CONSULS._
ARTHUR CARROLL, BOSTON, MASS.
THOMAS C. WATSON, PENSACOLA, FLA.
HENRY T. DUNN, BRUNSWICK, GA.
W. A. MURCHIE, CALAIS, MAINE.
N. B. BORDEN, FERNANDINA, FLA.
JAMES HAUGHTON, {NORFOLK, NEWPORT NEWS
{ AND YORKTOWN.
GEORGE A. BARKSDALE, RICHMOND, VA.
WILLIAM N. HARRIS, WILMINGTON, N. C.
G. H. GREEN, NEW ORLEANS.
F. B. GENOVAE, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA.
CHARLES F. HUCHET, CHARLESTON, S. C.
R. W. STEWART, BANGOR, MAINE.
ALFRED THOMAS SHAW, MOBILE, ALA.
ARTHUR HOMER, GALVESTON, TEXAS.
H. F. KREBS, PASCAGOULA, MISS.
THE ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY.
(SOUTH AMERICA.)
Discovery--Situation--Limits--Configuration--Perimeter--Superficies.
The territory of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, situated within
the temperate zone of South America, was discovered in the beginning
of the sixteenth century by the famous Spanish cosmographer, Juan
Diaz de Solis.
Its geographical situation is comprised between the 30°, 5' and 35°
degrees of latitude S. and the 56th 15' and 60th 45' of longitude W.,
according to the Paris meridian.
North and eastward it confines with the United States of Brazil, and
westward with the Argentine Republic.
Its limits are: On the north, the river Cuareim, the _cuchilla_ or
ridge of hills of Santa Ana, and the right bank of the river Yaguaron
Grande; on the east, the occidental coast of Lake Merin and the river
Chuy, which empties into the Atlantic ocean; on the west, the river
Uruguay, which separates it from the Argentine Republic; on the
south, the river Plate.
Its configuration is somewhat that of a many-sided polygon,
surrounded in its greatest part by water, except its northern part,
where it is bounded by the terrestrial frontier, which separates it
from the Brazilian Republic.
Its perimeter is of 1846 kilom. 850 m., out of which 1073 kilom.
750 m. are sea and river coasts, remaining 773 kilom. 100 m. of
terrestrial line.
Its superficies is 186,920 square kilom.
Aspect--Climate--Meteorology.
The prevailing aspect of the country presents itself with continuous
undulations, formed by the numerous _cuchillas_ or ridges of hills,
which shoot in all directions.
The hills are covered with rich pasture grounds.
Trees of all kinds stand along the banks of the principal rivers and
rivulets which flow, winding about, over great extensions of land,
and water the fertile meadows, forming, under a quiet and generally
clear sky, a charming landscape all over, which invites to employ
usefully such manifold natural riches that have just begun, being
cultivated and worked in a vast scale and with fruitful results.
Although it is not a mountainous country, its highlands are numerous.
The principal heights are the hills of Santa Ana, 490 m.; the hills
of Hædo, 400 m.; the Cuchilla Grande (high hills), 458 m. To all
these hills join a great many others less high, the declivity of
which form the lakes, ponds and rivers that give a great variety to
the hydrography of the country.
The climate all over the Republic is mild and notably healthy; there
exist no malignous, endemical disease whatever. Neither the cold nor
the heat is excessive.
The middle temperature may be calculated to be, in winter-time of 11
degrees, in spring-time of 17 degrees, in summer of 21 degrees, and
in autumn of 16 degrees.
The maximum of heat in the month of January is 36°, and that of cold
in the month of July is 3° above naught.
The climate is a little dryer in the interior than on the coast.
Along the coasts watered by the salt waters of the great mouth of the
river Plate, the climate is thoroughly a sea climate, and the seasons
never get to any extreme.
Meteorological observations, made in Montevideo in the year 1843 and
down to the year 1852 have given a middle term of 244 serene days, 85
cloudy days and 36 rainy days per annum.
The last observations made by the "Uruguay Meteorological Society"
during the year 1891 have given the following results;
Atmospherical pressure, calculated in mm., reduced to 0, middle term,
760,572.
Temperature of the air, in the shade, centigrade degrees, middle
term, 16,23; minimum, m. t. 12.77; maximum, m. t. 19.36.
Tension of the vapor, in mm., middle term, 10.98.
Relative humidity (saturation = 100), middle term, 77.29.
Inferior wind, prevailing direction N. N. E.; rapidity in meters by
second, middle term, 3.81.
Rain, mm., total: 711.8.
Winter is so mild in this country that, in fact, the year may be
divided into two seasons--the hot season, from November till April,
and the cool season, from May till October.
Whatever may be the geographical situation of his own country the
foreigner does not need any previous acclimation; when he comes to
live in this Republic he does not feel any disorder in his health,
owing to the mildness of the temperature.
The most ordinary winds are the N., N. E., E, and S. W. winds. This
last one, called _Pampero_, is pure and vivifying and is rightly
considered as the purifier of the Plate, and one of the principal
causes of the wholesomeness which the country enjoys.
Rivers--Rivulets--Ports--Docks--Dry Docks.
With only looking over the map of the Republic, one gets an idea of
its rich hydrography.
Sixteen rivers flow through the territory, all being joined by more
than 500 rivulets that increase their size and current.
The principal rivers are the Plate and Uruguay, which bathe the
coasts of the Republic, and the Rio Negro (the black river), which
flows all through the center of the territory.
The River plate, at its mouth, between cape Santa Maria and cape
San Antonio, is more than 206 kilometers wide; its superficies are
calculated to be over 39,846 kilom.; its length 361 kilom.; its
breadth, between Colonia and Buenos Ayres, a little more than 51
kilom.
The River Uruguay flows from N. to S., its length through the
Republic is 530 kilom., its breadth from the Guazu down to the point
of Fray Bentos varies from 10 to 15 kilom. After passing Fray Bentos
it becomes narrow, owing to the multitude of islands which form deep
channels. In its normal state it runs three or four miles an hour.
It is navigable up to Paysandu for ships of great tonnage, and up to
Salto for coast trading boats.
The Rio Negro runs through the territory from N. W. to W., with an
extension of 463 kilom. It is navigable for ships of small tonnage
for 94 kilom., more or less.
The other thirteen rivers are: the Cuareim, the Arapey, the Dayman,
the Queguay, the Tacuarembo, the Yi, the Yaguaron, the Tacuari, the
Olimar Grande, the San Jose, the San Salvador and the Santa Lucia.
These powerful arteries, the waters of which are increased by
numberless rivulets that empty into them, flow down to the remotest
parts of the Republic and fertilize them.
The waters of the River Plate, till a little further up than Santa
Lucia are salt; beyond this they always remain fresh.
The waters of the Uruguay, Rio Negro and other rivers of the interior
have the property of petrifying animal and vegetable substances.
Along the 1,073 kilom. of maritime and fluvial coasts, which are
counted from the mouth of the Cuareim River down to the River Chuy,
are the principal ports of the Republic.
The most important ones are Maldonado, Montevideo and Colonia, on
the coasts watered by the River Plate. There exist others of less
importance, like those of Paloma, Coronilla, Castillos Grande, Buceo
and also the bay, called the Englishman's Bay, (Ensenada del Ingles).
Along the River Uruguay we find the ports Nueva Palmira, Carmelo,
Independencia, Paysandu, Salto, Constitucion and Santa Rosa. Along
the Rio Negro, those of Soriano and Mercedes; and along the San
Salvador the port of San Salvador.
The principal port in the Republic is that of Montevideo. It is
estimated as the best port on the River Plate, owing to its natural
conditions. It has the shape of a horse-shoe, being the two extreme
points, which form its entrance, some seven kilom. distant from one
another.
The perimeter of the bay is ten kilom., and six hundred m. It offers
ships a safe shelter, its entrance being towards the N. W. and its
channel between 15 and 17 feet deep. The general depth of the bay is
between 14 and 15 feet. The steamers cast anchor near the entrance of
the port in the exterior bay where the depth gets to 25 feet.
The port of Montevideo is not only the anchoring ground of the ships
that have to load and unload, but it is also the port where all of
the ships stop on their way to the Pacific Ocean, and also all the
men-of-war of the nations which have a naval station in the River
Plate.
All the steamers of the rivers have their anchoring ground in front
of the docks, where they all have their moorings at a distance of 125
m. from the wharf.
Being the principal port where the commercial and naval movement
is most important, Montevideo counts with two beautiful dry docks,
belonging to private persons, one of them is the Maua Dry Dock and
the other one belongs to Jackson and Cibils. They have both been
opened in the quick rock, and have for their service all the most
modern machines, admitting ships of all tonnage.
Besides those two, there are a great many docks, dry docks and
harbors, all over the bay and also in the ports of Salto and Colonia.
Minerals.
The territory of the Republic contains numberless riches not worked
out yet, in precious metals, in copper, iron, lead, etc., in agate
stone, rock, crystal, slate, calcareous stone, marble of all colors,
which could advantageously rival with the marbles of Italy and
Pyrenean mountains.
Rich marble quarries exist in the department of Minas, which could
not have been worked before on account of the difficulties for the
transport, made easier and cheaper now days when the railway reaches
to Minas 123 kilom. distant from the capital.
The Cunapiru gold region is now worked by the following societies:
Zapucay gold mines, with 20 crushing machines.
Uruguay gold fields, with 60 crushing machines.
Hermanos gold minings, with 20 crushing machines.
The French Uruguay gold mine company, the working of which is stopped
for the present, has spent in the region mentioned more than three
millions of dollars, and has established milldams in the rivers
Cunapiru and Corrales so as to employ, for the grinding, a powerful
hydraulic strength.
The working of the mines on a great scale is just beginning now
without interruption.
During the last two years over 72,000 tons of quartz have been
extracted and crushed, giving a result of over 420 kilog. of fine
gold.
Mines of lead and copper and marble quarries are now worked in the
departments of Minas and Maldonado.
The agate stone is exported as it is found in the Catalan hills,
department of Salto, and there exists in Montevideo an agent of the
house established in that department, where are sold the stones
worked out into art objects.
In La Paz, near Montevideo, there exist quarries of red and blue
granite, some beautiful pieces of which are employed as columns in
some important buildings.
Stone is abundant in the Republic. Everywhere in Cerro, La Paz,
Sauce, Colonia and other places they continually open new quarries
which permit a considerable exportation for the works undertaken in
Buenos Ayres and La Plata.
The Colonia quarries alone employ over two thousand workmen.
Vegetation.
The territory does not only count with its native trees the wood of
which is employed in the industries and the rural economy; but all
over its fertile soil do grow, reproducing themselves, and perfectly
accustomed to the climate, nearly all the trees of the other regions.
Among the native trees there are the _nandubay_, that has the
property of petrifying itself under the ground, the _urunday_, the
lapacho, the viraro, the coronilla, the espinillo, quebracho, tala,
araza, the carob-tree, the black laurel, the timbo, guaviyu, copal,
the white, red, brown and yellow willow, the mataojo, paraiso, the
wild acacia, the ceibo and many others, the wood of which may be
employed for making all kinds of casks and buildings, and also for
burning.
"The riches of the forests in this country," says Dr. Ordonana,
perpetual secretary to the Rural Association, "belong to two distinct
categories. The first one extends itself along the banks of the
rivers and rivulets of the interior of the Republic, and the other
is a consequence of the sediments, ground and sands brought down
by the rivers that form the Plate, which, stopped by the banks of
low Uruguay, give birth to plants like those described by clever
botanists as Azara and Bomplan, as belonging to the regions of the
Pilcomayo, Parana and Paraguay.
"The trees are generally represented by a great many out of which no
wood can be made, and small shrubs that give fruits, used in other
times by the natives, gums and resins, stuffs used for weaving and
dyeing, and a great many twining plants, among which there are the
hisipo, of yellow flowers, and also the ilex-mate.
"None of the plants we mention here have been considered, until
now, worth being scientifically cultivated, although our Society
has claimed for it many times, because, neither private persons nor
private congregations, without the help of the government, can
afford the establishment and maintenance of experimental farms, which
are the true guides for studies and observations.
"We have preferred here cultivating foreign trees, whilst we had here
a great many much better than they, as for their wood, shade and
elegance.
"The private efforts of men we cannot forget have changed the aspect
of our forests and also of the cattle of the country, by enriching
it with new seeds and new plants and employing the combined means of
nature and of work."
In many departments the palm tree is found, also many kinds of
fruit and ornamental trees. There are trees, shrubs and herbs with
medicinal properties and good for dyeing and weaving, and also
resinous, aromatic and alkaline ones.
The series of the plants with healing properties is long; there
may be found the sarsaparilla, the marshmallow, the liquorice, the
rhubarb, the camomile, the wild celery and many other plants, which
it would be too long to enumerate here.
Among the fruit trees accustomed to this climate there are: the
orange tree, the apple tree, the pear tree, the apricot tree, the
pomegranate tree, the peach tree, the cherry tree, the lemon tree,
the plum tree, the nut tree, the quince tree, the olive tree, the
medlar tree, the almond tree, the chestnut tree, the fig tree, the
date palm, etc., etc.
Among the other classes we find the poplar, the cypress, the elm,
the oak, the plantain, the acacia, the eucalyptus, the cedar, the
magnolia, the white mulberry tree, etc.
As for the cereals and vegetables, all kinds of them grow here
perfectly and abundantly. Wheat, maize, barley, lucerne, are the
principal rural products. The chick-pea, the French bean, the
gray pea, the bean, the sugar-pea, the hastings, the lentils, the
potatoes, the Spanish potatoes, the carrot, the radishes, the
turnips, the pumpkins, the beet root, etc., and all kinds of pot
herbs, the watermelons, the melon and the strawberry grow also
abundantly.
The grape vine, the flax, the tobacco, the canary seed, the cotton,
the anise-seed, the hemp, the currin seed, the peanuts and many other
classes give good results. During these last years the nursing of the
vine, the olive, the lucerne, and the tobacco has spread itself a
great deal.
As for the flowers, there is such an immense variety of them and such
a plenty that the Republic has deserved the name of "The country of
sun and flowers." The industry of nosegays and crowns has reached an
unheard-of development. Beside the garden plants that belong to the
country, they nurse here all the varieties known in Europe.
The environs of Montevideo count a great many important
establishments dedicated to the commerce of plants, ornamental and
fruit trees, all of the most valuable kinds.
Animals.
The native animal reign counts thirty-nine families; among them we
find the deer, the buck, the otter, the _carpincho_ and many others,
the skins of which are exported.
There are more than 500 species of birds, among them the ostrich, the
white stork, the wood turkey, the swan, the water duck, the heath
cock, the moor cock, the partridge, the wood pigeon, etc. Among the
singing birds the varieties are innumerable. Among the fowl, they
bring up all kinds of hens, the duck, the goose, the pigeon, the
turkey, etc.
There are fourteen species of shells, and seven among the crustaceous.
As for fishes, there are to be found numerous and rich varieties of
salt and fresh water ones. Large quantities of the first class are
taken over to Buenos Ayres every day by the steamers. Pisiculture
is destined to have a great development here. An important fishery
is already established on the coasts of Maldonado. The bringing up
of salmon has already been tried. The only things wanting still are
money and technical directions for the reproduction of the richest
kinds of fishes, so as to supply with great advantage the Montevideo
and Buenos Ayres markets.
The principal industry in the country is the cattle and
horse-breeding, which, as will further on be seen, produces in a
prodigious way. This industry was introduced into the country in the
time of the conquest by the Spaniards.
Actually they improve and refine the cattle and horses by the
crossing with the pure blood animals which continually come from
Europe and the Argentine Republic. Already there exist important
establishments with thoroughly pure blood animals born in the
country, having already begun the wholesale of oxen and cows for
consumption, and of horses for races and coach. The sheep are now a
great deal finer. The improvement began in the year 1832, with two
Negretti and Rambouillet rams, and this is the reason why the wool,
for its good quality, is so much valued in European markets. Besides
the merino sheep, a great many other races have been introduced, and
among them some of very good flesh, like the Southdowns, of which
there are already numerous herds.
Division of the Territory--Situation of the Departments--Centre of
Population.
The territory is divided into nineteen departments. The superficial
area of each of them is as follows:
===============+========+==========+===========
| Square | Square | Square
Departments. | Miles. | Leagues. | Kilometer.
---------------+--------+----------+-----------
Salto | 4.270 | 474 4/9 | 12.601 61
Artigas | 3.855 | 428 3/9 | 11.379 52
Paysandu | 4.490 | 498 8/9 | 18.252 34
Rio Negro | 2.870 | 318 8/9 | 8.470 88
Soriano | 3.125 | 347 2/9 | 9.223 51
La Colonia | 1.925 | 213 8/9 | 5.681 68
San Jose | 2.359 | 262 1/9 | 6.962 07
Flores | 1.531 | 170 1/9 | 4.519 36
Montevideo | .225 | 25 | 664 09
Canelones | 1.610 | 178 8/9 | 4.751 95
Maldonado | 1.391 | 154 5/9 | 4.105 57
Rocha | 3.757 | 417 4/9 | 11.088 88
Cerro Largo | 5.058 | 562 | 14.904 41
Treinta y Tres | 3.232 | 359 1/9 | 9.550 35
Minas | 4.230 | 470 | 12.498 32
Tacuarembo | 7.120 | 791 1/9 | 21.022 49
Rivera | 3.330 | 370 | 9.820 94
Florida | 4.102 | 455 7/9 | 12.107 15
Durazno | 4.850 | 538 8/9 | 14.314 89
|--------+----------+-----------
|63.830 |7.036 6/9 |186.920 01
===============+========+==========+===========
In the centre of the territory are the departments of Durazno,
Flores, Minas, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres, and Florida, surrounded
by those of Artigas, Rivera and Cerro Largo, situated on the very
frontier of Brazil; the Department of Rocha on the Atlantic Ocean;
those of Maldonado, Canelones, Montevideo, San Jose and Colonia on
the River Plate; and those of Soriano, Rio Negro, Paysandu and Salto
on the River Uruguay.
All those departments count over a hundred centres of population,
that is to say, seven towns, forty-eight villages, and thirty-nine
colonies or smaller centres.
Political Organization.
_Government._--The constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay
establishes the representative republican system.
_Sovereignty._--The sovereignty in all its fullness exists radically
in the Nation, which has the exclusive right of establishing its own
laws in the way determined by the Constitution.
_Religion._--The Religion of the state is the Roman Apostolic
Catholic Church. However, all dissident churches are tolerated and
their religion can be freely practiced; the inhabitants enjoy the
full liberty of thought.
_High Powers._--The three high powers of the state are the
legislative power, the executive power and the judicial power.
_Legislative Powers._--This power is formed by two chambers,
the Senate and Deputies' Chamber. The Senate is compounded with
as many members as departments, these forming the political and
administrative division of the Republic. The election is indirect.
The President of the Senate is the Vice-President of the Republic,
and performs the functions of the first magistrate in case of
absence, illness, resignation or death.
The _Deputies' Chamber_ is composed of 69 members, directly elected
by the people in the way determined by the law on elections.
_Executive Power._--The executive power is represented by the
President of the Republic, who is elected in a general assembly of
the two chambers by nominal voting, being required the absolute
majority of suffrages expressed on ballots which are publicly read
out by the secretary. His functions last four years, and he cannot be
re-elected unless four other years have passed.
The President appoints the Secretaries of State, or Ministers, who
are five--one of Government, one of _Fomento_ (Public Education,
Commerce, Industry and Railways), one of Finance, one of War and
Navy, and one of Foreign Affairs.
_Delegates of the Executive Power._--In every town, the capital of
a department, there is a delegate of the Executive Power called
Political and Police Chief (_Jefe politico y de policia_), and
entrusted to make his dispositions obeyed.
_Judicial Power._--This power is composed of the High Court of
Justice. But as this court has not yet been regularly established,
the United Tribunals of Appeal, composed each of them of three
members, perform the functions of the High Court. It is entrusted
with the superintendence of all the other judges.
There exist in the Republic three Superior Judges (_Jueces
Letrados_), for the civil, two for the commerce, one for the
treasure, one for the criminal, and one for the correctional, and
also nineteen ordinary judges for the departments.
_Justice of the Peace._--There exist a justice of the peace and an
attorney in every one of the sections into which are divided the
departments. The members of the Justice of the Peace are elected by
the people. They give sentence in all the affairs of small importance.
The law of the 11th of February, 1879, has created the Civil State
Register in all the Republic, and the inscription in this Register
has been made obligatory the 1st of July of the same year.
This Register is entrusted to the care of the Justice of the Peace,
who performs the functions of Civil State Register Officer, and in
it are inscribed all the births, marriages, deaths, recognizance and
legitimation of the sons.
The law of the 22d of May, 1885, declared Civil Matrimony obligatory
throughout all the Republic, no other one being acknowledged as
legitimate besides the one celebrated according to the law and
according to the dispositions established in the Civil State
Registers of the 11th of February, 1879, and their regulation and
laws of the 1st of June, 1880, and 1st of July, 1884.
_Municipality_ (Junta Economico-Administrativa.)--There exists a
_Junta_ or Municipality in each department. The members of the
municipality are elected by the people, and they are entrusted with
the care of the municipal interests. The Montevideo municipality has
a very great importance, being entrusted with the care of all the
municipal services except that of the police.
_Citizenship._--The citizens of the state are either natural or
legal. Natural are all those born in the territory; legal, all the
foreigners who ask for citizenship, after having proved their
residence in the country for a determined time.
All the citizens, whether natural or legal, enjoy the right of voting
and _may be elected_ in certain conditions.
The constitution of the Republic sworn on the 18th of July, 1830,
among other articles, contains the following ones:
Art. the 130th. The inhabitants of the state have a right to be
protected in their life, honor, liberty, security and property.
Nobody can be deprived of these rights, but according to the laws.
Art. the 131st. In the territory of the state nobody can be a slave
by birth; the slave trade and introduction of slaves are forever
forbidden in the Republic.
Art. the 132d. All men are equal before the law, be it preceptive,
penal or defensive; the only distinction acknowledged is that of
talent and virtue.
Art. the 134th. The private actions of men, that do not by any way
attack the public order nor harm any third person, belong only to
God, and, therefore, remain beyond the authority of the magistrates.
No inhabitant of the state will be obliged to do what the law does
not bid, neither prevented from doing what the law does not forbid.
Art. the 141st. Thoroughly free is the communication of thought,
by words, private writings, or publications in the public papers,
whatever be the subjects, without requiring any previous censure; the
only responsible person is the author, or, in his stead, the printer,
whenever the writing be abusive, according to the law.
Art. the 146th. All the inhabitants of the state may undertake any
work, industry or commerce they like, provided they do not harm the
public order or the other citizens' rights.
Art. the 147th. The entrance into the territory of the Republic is
free to any one, as also his staying in it or going away with his
goods, provided he respect the police laws and do not harm any third
person.
Language and Customs.
The national language is the Spanish tongue. However, nearly all the
languages are known in the Republic, on account of the great number
of foreigners established here, and the great number of them who have
continuous relations with the country.
Nearly every native who has received a fairly good instruction speaks
some foreign language. In Montevideo, where continually stop boats of
all nations, the practice of French, Italian, English and German is
quite general.
In nearly every department in the Republic, and above all in
Montevideo, exist a great many good schools belonging to the above
mentioned nations.
The foreigner who treads the Uruguay soil does not miss the customs
of his own country, since the ones he meets here are nearly the same
as in the principal European cities.
A great many years of continuous communication with all the nations
of the world has made, that the customs of all the civilized nations
are quite familiar to the natives.
Population--Its Density.
In the Statistical Annuary corresponding to the year 1891 the
population of the Republic has been calculated thus:
Departments. Population in 1891.
Montevideo 234,688
Canelones 64,772
Colonia 39,309
Soriano 32,617
San Jose 26,528
Flores 13,737
Florida 29,078
Rocha 22,237
Maldonado 15,757
Cerro-Largo 25,741
Minas 23,466
Treinta y Tres 17,297
Salto 32,827
Artigas 17,367
Durazno 25,020
Paysandu 29,962
Rio Negro 15,970
Tacuarembo 25,166
Rivera 16,629
-------
Total 708,168
In the year 1829 the population of the Republic was 74,000 souls, and
in the year 1879, 438,245.
The increase of the population has produced itself according to the
following proportions:
In 1882 505,207 inhabitants.
1883 520,536 "
1884 559,668 "
1885 582,858 "
1886 596,463 "
1887 614,257 "
1888 648,297 "
1889 683,943 "
1890 706,524 "
1891 708,168 "
The increase of the population during the year 1891, if compared with
the population in 1879, is of 269,923 souls, that is to say, 61.59
per cent.
If we add to the total of inhabitants during the year 1891 a 6 per
cent. on account of the omissions which probably took place in the
calculations (omission of inscriptions of births, of declarations in
the lists of passengers, etc.), we have a population for the whole
Republic of, more or less, 750,658 inhabitants.
Dividing the population into nationalities we see that out of a
hundred inhabitants there are 70 natives and 30 foreigners. In
Montevideo, however, the proportion varies, being of 53 natives and
47 foreigners.
The density of the population throughout the Republic is of 3.78
inhabitants for each square kilometre.
The Department of Montevideo, which has the smallest superficial
area, is the most peopled of all the Republic, (353.44 inhabitants
for each square kilometre); in it resides nearly the third part of
the population of the country. Next to Montevideo, the Department of
Canelones is the most peopled, (13.63 inhabitants for each square
kilometre.)
The above mentioned results are an evident proof that the territory
of the Republic is still very little peopled, and that there is very
easily room enough in it for many millions of inhabitants.
Although the density of the population be but of 3.78 inhabitants
for each square kilometre, it is, however, superior to the density
of the population in the Argentine Republic, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia,
Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay and Nicaragua, none of which get to that
figure.
Movement of the Population.
From the year 1887 till the year 1891 have taken place in the
Republic:
Years. Births. Deaths. Marriages.
1887 25,132 12,573 3,428
1888 25,832 12,077 3,976
1889 26,981 12,882 4,175
1890 27,899 15,174 4,082
1891 28,696 13,146 3,524
------- ------ ------
134,540 65,852 19,185
Middle yearly
term:
26,908 13,170 3,837
Proportion out
of 1000
inhabitants:
37.9 18.5 5.4
So as to appreciate better the rank occupied by the Republic among
the other countries as regards the movement of the population, the
following figures may be considered as points of comparison:
Births per Deaths per Marriages
Countries. 1000 1000 per 1000
Inh'bit'nts. Inh'bit'nts. Inhabitants.
France 25.8 23.8 7.7
Italy 37 29.1 7.8
Scotland 35 21.4 7.1
Ireland 26.9 17.8 4.8
Austria 38.6 31 8.5
Swiss 30.1 23.2 7.4
Belgian 32 22.4 7.2
Sweden 27.1 18.9 6.5
Norway 31.3 17.2 6.9
Denmark 31.1 19.7 7.8
Oriental Repub.
of Uruguay 37.9 18.5 5.4
Therefore the births in the Republic prove to be in a greater
proportion than in any of the mentioned countries, Austria being
excepted, while the deaths, with the exception of Sweden and Norway,
is in a smaller proportion, as also the marriages, Ireland being
excepted.
This great number of births and the corresponding diminution in the
figures of death prove how easy is the purchase of the elements
necessary to life; and how very excellent are the climate and the
salubrity in the Republic.
Movement of Passengers.
Though the Republic has many ports Montevideo is, nevertheless, where
takes place the greatest concourse of passengers.
The movement from abroad and from the Argentine and Uruguay coasts
has given the following results:
Years. Passengers. Per Month. Per Day.
1883 60,388 5,033 167
1884 91,872 7,656 255
1885 99,059 8,255 275
1886 89,567 7,464 248
1887 102,396 8,533 284
1888 133,033 11,086 366
1889 153,811 12,817 427
1890 150,447 12,537 417
1891 104,945 8,745 291
The diminution which begins in the year 1890 is due to the economical
crisis that began in that year, and the consequences of which are
still to be felt.
Immigration.
The territory of the Republic being abundant in all natural resources
and elements necessary to make easy any kind of work or industry one
chooses to undertake, and the immigrant getting very soon accustomed
to a climate and customs very little different from those of his own
country, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay offers therefore all kinds
of advantages to the honest and laborious immigrant who comes here
in search of a remuneration greater than that he can earn in his own
country.
Thus is explained the large number of foreigners of all nationalities
who have chosen this country as their second countryland, settling
themselves here definitely and partaking with their families a wealth
which allows them a good living, and is the base of their future
modest or great fortune.
In spite of the political disorders, the time of which, it may be
said, has passed, and in spite of the economical crisis that, with
more or less intensity, are common to all the countries that rapidly
advance and progress, the Oriental Republic has always seen a great
and constant affluence of arms and capital, that have contributed in
a few years to display powerfully its productive energy, to create
establishments and manufactures which, with their products, have
increased the relations of exchange with all the markets of the world.
Although the present times be not very favorable to the immigratory
movement, the country is bound to recover soon, very soon, from the
disorders suffered during the last crisis.
Our own history, and also that of the other American nations, teach
us that in a period of restrictions in business and settling
accounts, the immigration always diminishes, but increases again as
soon as it begins to feel the first symptoms of reaction towards a
period of prosperity.
The following figures demonstrate the oscillations in the immigratory
movement, coinciding with critical or prosperous periods:
Immigratory Movement in the Port of Montevideo from 1867 to 1891.
------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------+----------
| |Present'd | | |
| |themselves |Have lived |Employed |
| |to the |at the |in the |
| |Emigrant |Emigrant |Capital or |Placed by
Years.|Entries.|Board. |Board. |Departments.|the Board.
------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------+----------
1867 | 17.356 | 1.913 | 187 | 2.586 | 1.802
1868 | 16.892 | 2.479 | 261 | 4.179 | 2.335
1869 | 20.435 | 1.861 | 87 | 2.261 | 1.661
1870 | 21.148 | 1.305 | 110 | 2.136 | 1.210
1871 | 17.912 | 743 | 22 | 2.555 | 714
1872 | 11.516 | 916 | 41 | 6.133 | 877
1873 | 24.339 | 1.480 | 51 | 6.651 | 1.444
1874 | 13.759 | 2.708 | 149 | 4.768 | 2.649
1875 | 5.298 | 1.493 | 113 | 5.699 | 1.401
1876 | 5.570 | 1.469 | 91 | 4.246 | 1.432
1877 | 6.160 | 1.913 | 120 | 2.810 | 1.884
1878 | 9.464 | 1.594 | 103 | 2.605 | 1.518
1879 | 10.829 | 1.587 | 13 | 2.206 | 1.515
1880 | 9.203 | 1.933 | 1.255 | 2.493 | 1.845
1881 | 8.336 | 1.416 | 1.251 | 1.700 | 1.322
1882 | 10.116 | 1.124 | 1.562 | 2.846 | 1.493
1883 | 11.086 | 1.067 | 1.274 | 1.402 | 1.022
1884 | 11.954 | 1.272 | 1.019 | 1.531 | 1.163
1885 | 15.679 | 1.857 | 1.320 | 1.236 | 1.266
1886 | 12.291 | 1.383 | 833 | 1.068 | 1.072
1887 | 12.867 | 1.406 | 1.144 | 1.619 | 1.047
1888 | 16.581 | 1.622 | 1.304 | 1.650 | 1.243
1889 | 27.349 | 10.446 | 10.446 | 10.930 | 8.867
1890 | 24.117 | 8.816 | 8.816 | 11.195 | 8.738
1891 | 11.916 | ...... | ...... | ...... | .....
------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------+----------
The different nations to which belonged the immigrants that presented
themselves to the General Emigration and Immigration Office in search
of work, during the above-mentioned years are as follows:
======+=====+=====+=======+=====+====+======+======+======+========+======
|Span-|Ital-| |Eng- |Ger-| |Argen-|Portu-| Other |
Years.|ish. |ians.|French.|lish.|man.|Swiss.|tine. |guese.|nations.|Total.
------+-----+-----+-------+-----+----+------+------+------+--------+------
1867 | 360 | 743| 256 | 161 | 104| 33 | 31 | 54 | 171 | 1.913
1868 | 508 |1.093| 358 | 241 | 100| 38 | 24 | 49 | 68 | 2.479
1869 | 620 | 592| 244 | 146 | 119| 30 | 22 | 44 | 44 | 1.861
1870 | 514 | 376| 205 | 61 | 37| 17 | 15 | 18 | 62 | 1.305
1871 | 308 | 214| 106 | 16 | 32| 9 | 12 | 13 | 33 | 743
1872 | 423 | 202| 181 | 44 | 26| 10 | 1 | 12 | 17 | 916
1873 | 606 | 346| 359 | 26 | 27| 35 | 20 | 22 | 39 | 1.480
1874 |1.086| 961| 437 | 16 | 54| 74 | 21 | 22 | 37 | 2.708
1875 | 609 | 402| 279 | 8 | 55| 53 | 51 | 12 | 24 | 1.493
1876 | 453 | 500| 271 | 11 | 37| 47 | 43 | 4 | 103 | 1.469
1877 | 571 | 569| 358 | 35 | 54| 121 | 85 | 34 | 86 | 1.913
1878 | 529 | 492| 208 | 10 | 72| 48 | 46 | 19 | 170 | 1.594
1879 | 387 | 721| 230 | 31 | 43| 52 | 63 | 14 | 46 | 1.587
1880 | 405 | 939| 258 | 42 | 74| 74 | 73 | 9 | 59 | 1.933
1881 | 435 | 646| 128 | 12 | 38| 25 | 62 | 11 | 59 | 1.416
1882 | 370 | 518| 76 | 25 | 41| 14 | 22 | 14 | 44 | 1.124
1883 | 428 | 380| .... | 7 | 75| 18 | 31 | 15 | 113 | 1.067
1884 | 428 | 537| 103 | 12 | 62| 13 | 41 | 8 | 68 | 1.272
1885 | 607 | 916| 98 | 19 | 41| 11 | 40 | 14 | 111 | 1.857
1886 | 653 | 553| 61 | 8 | 29| 7 | 24 | 16 | 32 | 1.383
1887 | 618 | 423| 104 | 26 | 46| 14 | 18 | 34 | 123 | 1.406
1888 | 738 | 513| 176 | 27 | 45| 14 | 12 | 43 | 54 | 1.622
1889 |1.399|6.932| 670 | 78 | 126| 22 | 14 | 41 | 1.164 |10.446
1890 |1.073|7.341| 170 | 14 | 16| 13 | 3 | 19 | 167 | 8.816
------+-----+-----+-------+-----+----+------+------+------+--------+------
Immigration has come here of its own accord, during times of
prosperity; but the government has also tried to call it here by
making easier the coming of immigrants from Europe, and their being
led into the interior of the country, and also by giving land to
colonists or by exhonerating others from all duties and taxes, either
direct or indirect.
During the years hereafter mentioned the government has given the
following number of passages to immigrants who required them:
In the year 1887 255 passages.
" " 1888 124 "
" " 1889 2727 "
" " 1890 1133 "
The immigrant enjoys here a complete and perfect liberty. Being a
foreigner he owes no service whatever to the state. Dedicated to
work, he is always respected, and wherever he may go in the Republic,
he is always sure to find some of his countrymen who, knowing well
the country and talking his own language, will give him all the
information and references he may require. Besides this, on landing,
he always finds interpreters who give him all the explanations he may
need.
Wages.
The wages which are generally earned are according to the
professions, more or less, as follows:
_Apprentices_--Boarding and clothes, generally, per month.
_Nurses_--From $6 to $12 per month, with lodging and board.
_Bakers_--From $18 to $36 per month, without board.
_Brewers_--From $40 to $50 per month, without board.
_Wheelrights_--From $1.50 to $2.50; workmen 80c. to $1.00 per day,
without board.
_Chairmakers_--From $1.60 to $2 per day, without board.
_Brickmakers_--From $1.00 to $1.20 per day, with board.
_Hatmakers_--From $18 to $22 per month, without board.
_Carpenters_--From $1.40 to $2.30 per day, without board.
_Carters_--From $16 to $24 per month, without board.
_Braziers_--From $50 to $80 to $100 per month, without board.
_Colliers and Firemen_--From $20 to $27 per month, without board.
_Cigarettemakers_--$1.20 per day, without board.
_Cigarmakers_--From $1.50 to $1.80 per day, without board.
_Coachmen_--From $20 to $25 per month, without board.
_Hairdressers_--From $14 to $20 per month, with board.
_Stagecoachmen_--From $35 to $40 per month, without board.
_Confectioners_--From $20 to $40 to $60 per month, without board.
_Foremen_--From $30 to $35 per month, without board.
_Boltmakers_--From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.
_Shoemakers_--From $15 to $20 per month, with board.
_Seamstresses_--From 60c. to 80c. per day, with board.
_Cooks_ (_women_)--From $12 to $16 per month, with lodging and board.
_Cooks_ (_men_)--From $15 to $35 per month, with lodging and board.
_Servants, in general_--From $10 to $18 per month, with board and
lodging.
_Cabinetmakers_--From $1.50 to $2.00 per day, without board.
_Gilders_--$2.00 per day, without board.
_Brush and Broommakers_--From $1.00 to $1.20 per day, without board.
_Reapers_--From $10 to $15 per month, with board.
_Tinmen_--From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.
_Blacksmiths_--From $1.50 to $1.60; help, $1.10 per day, without
board.
_Waiters_ (_coffee houses, hotels._)--From $15 to $20 per month, with
lodging and board.
_Lackeys, Footmen_--From $15 to $20 per month, with lodging and board.
_Watchmakers_--From $40 to $60 per month, without board.
_Gardeners_--From $18 to $30 per month, without board.
_Day Laborers, in general_--From 80c. to $1.00 per day, without board.
_Machinists_--In printing houses, $80; on board steamers, 1st
machinist, $180; 2nd machinist, $115; 3rd machinist, $90 per month.
_Masons_--From $1.80 to $2.20; workmen, from $1.00 to $1.20 per day,
without board.
_Marblecutters and Polishers_--From $1.20 to $1,50 per day, without
board.
_Mattressmakers_--From $12 to $15 per month, with board.
_Sailors, Mariners_--From $15 to $20 per month, with board.
_Mechanics_--From $60 to $100 to $150 per month, without board.
_Milliners_--From $20 to $30 per month, without board.
_Wet-nurses_--From $20 to $30 per month, without board.
_Pastry Cooks_--From $35 to $40 per month, without board.
_Fishermen_--From $20 to $25 per month, without board.
_Painters_--From $1.20 to $2.50 per day, without board.
_Photographers_--From $35 to $55 per month, without board.
_Potters_--From $1.50 to $2.00 per day, with board.
_Schoolmasters_--From $30 to $60 per month, with board.
_Firework-makers_--From $16 to $17 per month, without board.
_Bookbinders_--From $30 to $35 per month, without board.
_Sawyers_--From $1.80 to $2.00 per day, without board.
_Saddlers_--From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.
_Locksmiths_--From $1.50 to $1.80 per day, without board.
_Tailors_--From $20 to $30 per month, without board.
_Stonecutters_--From $1.20 to $1.60 per day, without board.
_Turners_--From $1.80 to $2.50 per day, without board.
_Dyers_--From $15 to $35 per month, without board.
_Bookkeepers_--From $50 to $200 per month, without board.
_Coopers_--From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.
_Typographers_--From $40 to $45 per month, without board.
_Basketmakers_--From $1.00 to $1.20 per day, without board.
_Glaziers_--From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.
The working day consists of eleven hours, an hour being discounted
for dinner and resting.
The rent of the lodgings for workpeople in the town is five or seven
dollars per month.
Territorial Property.
According to the declarations made in the year 1882 for the payment
of the contribution tax, called the Immovable Contribution, the value
of the property in the Republic rose to $211,991,679.00.
In the year 1890, eight years later, although the cattle and some
other products were declared free from contribution tax the value of
property was $265,871,559, an increase of $53,879,880.
The number of proprietors in 1882 were 39,590, and in the year 1890
50,189, an increase of 10,599.
By nationalities, the proprietors in 1890 were in the following
proportion:
Natives, 24,946, or 49.70 per cent.
Foreigners 25,243, or 50.30 per cent.
The declared value according to nationalities was as follows:
24,946 Natives representing $129,130,344.00
785 Argentine, " 6,343,074.00
4,620 Brazilians " 31,766,571.00
8,886 Italians " 34,620,749.00
6,828 Spaniards " 30,845,671.00
2,582 French " 16,470,055.00
451 English " 10,386,895.00
330 Germans " 1,879,265.00
344 Swiss " 1,073,996.00
204 Portuguese " 1,540,471.00
7 Belgians " 31,238.00
7 Swedish " 12,438.00
32 Austrians " 391,746.00
4 Danes " 50,524.00
24 North Americans " 242,941.00
3 Peruvians " 2,748 00
6 Chilians " 40,143.00
1 Dutch " 2,700.00
8 Paraguayans " 33,496.00
121 Other nations " 1,006,494.00
______ _________________
50,189 $265,871,559.00
====== =================
The capital by nationalities gives the following proportion:
Native $129,130,344, or 48.57 per cent.
Foreign $136,741,315, or 51.43 per cent.
Out of the declared values Montevideo represents 13,812 proprietors
and $128,280,000.00; to the other departments, 36,377 proprietors and
$137,591,559.00.
Transfer of Property.
The operations, which during the following years, have been declared
in the Registers for the purchase and sale of immovable properties,
give the following totals: