the Spanish main, had given our countrymen some notion of the
incalculable wealth of Chili and Peru, the Brazils, and the Rio de la
Plata; and their erection into separate and Sovereign States was hailed
as the advent of a new and prosperous era for the commerce of both
hemispheres. With a liberality and promptitude which will always be
remembered by the various South American nations, the capitalists of
Britain responded to their demands for pecuniary aid, and loans were
freely subscribed to enable the enfranchised peoples to establish
popular self-government upon solid bases. It may be said that this still
remains to be accomplished, and the frequently recurrent revolutions in
Bolivia and Peru, and in some others of the nascent Republics, are
certainly no manifestation of executive stability; but it must not be
forgotten that their antecedents, under the Spanish and Portuguese
control, were not of a nature to fit them for a wise and temperate
exercise of political privileges. Year by year, however, with the growth
of intelligence and the spread of education, the respective States are
becoming less subject to internal and civil convulsions; and in this
respect the rapid development of industrial and productive activity
gives promise of a still more satisfactory condition of things in the
proximate future.
Since the abrogation of the monopolies of Spain and Portugal and the
inauguration of free intercourse with South America the commercial
movements between that part of the globe and the maritime nations of
Europe have assumed imposing proportions, and are every year increasing
in value and importance. As elsewhere, England holds a high place both
in the Pacific and Atlantic markets, as an importer of products and an
exporter of manufactured goods. Our Board of Trade Returns show the
magnitude of British interests in those countries, and the necessity
that exists for promoting the most cordial relations with the different
Governments. But at present I must confine my observations to Brazil and
the River Plate, and from a reference to the returns in question it will
be seen that the former is our largest South American customer, taking
commodities to the annual value of £5,822,918, while we in return
receive Brazilian produce of the annual value of £5,902,011. The River
Plate comes next in order, taking English goods of the annual value of
£4,405,548, while it sends to us produce worth £2,146,079. It will
appear, therefore, that the total movements between this country and
Brazil and the River Plate are respectively of the yearly value of
£11,724,929 and £6,545,627. And here I may state, without going into
particulars, that the entire commercial movement between England and the
whole of South America reaches the no inconsiderable sum of £34,566,405.
The above returns are for the year 1867.[6]
The Board of Trade Returns, though they exhibit, in figures surpassing
eloquence in their convincing power, the extensive character of our own
trading relations with Brazil and the River Plate, of course convey only
a partial idea of the commercial activity of the countries named.
Brazil and the Argentine Republic both carry on a large business with
other European nations. With regard to the first it will be seen from
the statistics we quote below that the Empire has large transactions
with France and the Continent, as well as with the United States, to
which the bulk of her coffee crop is shipped.
In the Budget of last year, submitted to the National Assembly by the
then Finance Minister, Senhor Zacharias, I find the following:—
COMMERCE OF IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION, AND NAVIGATION.
The value of the import trade in 1866-67, according to the official
data in the treasury, was 143,483:745$; 22,503:313$, or 18.6 per
cent, more than the average of the five years 1861-2 to 1865-6, and
5,716:903$, or 4.1 per cent, more than 1865-6.
This importation took place in the various provinces in the
following proportion, which is compared with that of 1865-6:—
1865-66. 1866-67. Over in '65-6.
Rio de Janeiro 80,709:067$ 80,458:064$
Bahia 17,598:941 17,878:203 279:262$
Pernambuco 21,083:655 22,211:290 1,127:645
Maranhao 2,946:760 4,028:383 1,081:623
Para 4,613:218 5,396:706 783:488
S. Pedro 6,514:928 7,746:076 1,231:144
S. Paulo 1,295:948 1,546:755 250:807
Parana 154:083 237:278 83:195
Parahyba 26:067 99:446 73:379
Ceara 1,924:546 2,586:973 662:689
Santa Catharina 449:246 630:912 181:066
Alagoas 62:250 219:537 157:287
Sergipe 63:177 17:390
Espirito Santo 1:209 2:116 907
Rio Grande do Norte 30:853 171:654 140:801
Piauhy 293:157 252:957
——————————— ——————————— —————————
136,766:842 143,483:745 6,053:893
Diminutions occurred in Rio de Janeiro 251:003$, Sergipe 45:787$,
and Piauhy 40:209$; total, 336:990$.
The countries whence the importation came in 1866-67 were the
following:—
Great Britain and possessions 58,276:905$783
United States 4,300:628 878
France and possessions 22,023:196 953
La Plata 12,325:712 734
Portugal and possessions 5,580:451 780
Hanseatic Cities 4,340:509 479
Spain and possessions 805:919 990
Sweden 222:194 583
Denmark 34:134 495
Russia 12:277 800
Coast of Africa 151:773 425
Italy 468:789 695
Chili 537:023 100
Belgium 1,333:855 778
Austria 910:268 440
Holland 3:017 850
China 23:400 000
Peru 680 000
Ports of the Mediterranean 29:744 000
Ports of the Empire 1,354:734 000
Fisheries 1:381 200
Ports not mentioned 30,747:145 332
———————————————
Total 143,483:745 290
The value of the exports of native production and manufacture to
foreign countries was in 1866-67 156,020:906$, 21,516:502$, or 15.9
per cent. more than the average of the five years 1861-2 to 1865-6,
and less by 1,066:652$ or O.67 per cent. than in 1865-6.
The countries whither the exports of 1866-7 went were the
following:—
Russia 460:660$717
Sweden 773:111 068
Holland 80:356 944
Hanseatic Cities 4,816:242 458
Great Britain and possessions 37,283:974 040
France and possessions 18,582:278 631
Spain and possessions 165:387 149
Portugal and possessions 4,347:275 259
Belgium 328:0485$841
Austria 61:381 600
Italy 734:400 624
Chili 414:903 411
United States 31,188:066 047
La Plata 7,014:207 881
Turkey 149:347 716
Denmark 913:630 980
Coast of Africa 448:869 272
Channel 16,511:659 000
Ports of the Baltic and Mediterranean 1,363:562 864
Ports not known 30,335:659 000
Consumption 42:642 178
———————————————
Total 156,020:906 766
The total of the direct importation and the national exportation
abroad was in:—
1866-67 299,504:651
Compared with 1865-66, namely 294,854:400
———————————
There was an augment of 4,650:251
Or 1.5 per cent., and, if compared with the average of 255,483:836
1861-2 to 1865-6, namely
There was an increase of 44,020:815, or 17.2 per cent.
The value of the importation with certificate (carta de guia) was in
1865-67 24,902:670$, 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.