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SUGAR.

The exports have been smaller than in the year 1861-'62, but larger than in 1860-'61. The coming crop is expected to be a very small one, the cane having lately suffered from too much rain. The average price of this article during the year has been Rs. 1||580 per arroba, against Rs. 1||780 per arroba in the year

1861-'62.

HIDES.

The export has been below several preceding years. In consequence of the low price ruling for this article, supplies from the distant interior ceased entirely, the cost of transportation and the outlays in preparing the same being too heavy. The average price of this article during the past year has been Rs. 4||000 per arroba on shore, against Rs. 5||400 per arroba in the year 1861-'62.

*

Summary of exports from the port of Macayo during the year ended June 30, 1863, as compared with the years 1861 and 1862.

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*Pernambuco: Cotton, 332 bags: sugar, 1,010 bags, or 5,336 arrobas; hides, 2,604. Bahia: Sugar, 190 bags, or 957 arrobas. Rio de Janeiro: Sugar, 31,562 bags, or 169,162 arrobas.

Summary of exports from the port of Macayo from the 1st of July, 1862, to the 30th of June, 1863.

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MARANHAM-WM. H. EVANS, Consul.

Statement showing the description and value of exports from Maranham to the United States during the quarter ended March 31, 1863, (compiled from official copy of invoices.)

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Statement showing the exports from Maranham to the United States for the quarter ended June 30, 1863, (taken from official invoices.)

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I have the honor to make the following report on the trade of this consular district for the year ending September 30, 1863.

There have arrived at this port during said period six American vessels, the aggregate measurement of which was 1,009 tons. Owing to the destruction of the American vessels by the rebel privateers off this coast during the past summer, owners of such vessels as have heretofore been employed in trading regularly to this port under the American flag have been induced, in order to guard against capture, to place them under foreign colors; and of the number so transferred, there have arrived 8, making in all 14 vessels from the United States during the year.

Trade between the United States and this port has increased very considerably in general amount over previous year. From the returns of the customhouse for the past year ending September 30 I quote as follows:

Imports from the United States amount to....

Exports to the United States amount to...

Total.......

$146, 246 00

104, 715 00

250,961 00

The value of the trade for the previous year (1861-'62) was reported by the

same authority as follows:

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The articles exported to the United States (under authenticated invoices,) and their values, including costs and charges, during the years 1862-'63, (each ending September 30,) will be seen by the following statement:

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Cotton. The principal article exported from this province at present is cotton. I am informed that a few years since planters here gave their undivided attention to its cultivation, but owing to the continued low prices, the scarcity of laborers, and the heavy export duty of 12 per cent. levied thereon, it was subsequently almost totally abandoned. The high prices of the last two years, however, has revived an interest in the article, and we find the production considerably increased. Only a small portion of the crop of the present year has been received from the interior; it is thought, however, that the amount produced will reach 50,000 bales.

The following statement shows the number of bales (of 200 pounds each) received from the interior, and the number exported during the years 1861, 1862, (ending December 31,) and to September 30 of the year 1863:

1861.

1862.

1863.

Months.

Entered. Exported. Entered. Exported. Entered. Exported.

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The following table shows the destination of exports of cotton during the same period :

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The average price of cotton during the year 1861 was Rs. 8||000; 1862. Rs. 14||000; and 1863, Rs. 20||000, per arroba of 32 pounds.

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Hides. The whole number shipped from this port to the United States during the past year, ending September 30 was 16,014-the value of which is given in the table of exports, and which shows about the same number as exported the previous year. The average amount and destination of shipments of hides from this city will be seen by the following, which embraces the number exported during the first six months of the present year:

To Lisbon ...
To New York
To Oporto..
To Havre..

Hides. 14, 215

13, 025 1,208 463

28, 911

Sugar. The crop of sugar for this year will be very small as compared with last year, owing to the deeper interest taken in the production of cotton, There has, however, been a general increase for some time in the amount of sugar produced in this province. Indeed, no longer than 8 years ago threefourths of the sugar consumed in this city was imported from the province of Pernambuco. At present the production is superior to the consumption, and large quantities are exported. The total value of the sugar exported from this port during the year 1862 was reported at $113,491, (American currency.) The following statement shows the exports of sugar for the first six months of the present year:

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The price current of this date quotes sugar as follows:

First quality white...
Second quality white.
Ordinary raw

3||700 reas per arroba.
3||000 reas per arroba.
1|| 800 reas per

arroba.

The same may be considered the average prices during the past year.

Rice. During the past quarter there have been some small shipments of rice from this port to New York, amounting altogether to 500 sacks of the value of $2,679 22. These are the first shipments of rice ever made from Maranham to the United States; for although it is claimed that the best rice of Brazil is produced in this province, its quality is only equal to our "Carolina second." During the first six months of this year the exports of rice were as follows:

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Maranham rice is rarely exported to foreign countries, being distributed, as a general thing, among the ports of the empire, as seen above. The annual crop is estimated at 170,000 arrobas (of 32 pounds each,) about one-half of which is exported.

IMPORTS.

I have no special change to note in imports from the United States. There have been received during the year 5,400 barrels of American flour, which is about the same number received the previous year, and one-half of the whole amount imported. The average price of flour the past year was $10 per barrel. A new article of import, and for which there seems to be an increasing demand throughout the province, is kerosene. Large quantities have been imported during the year, and sold at highly remunerative prices.

It is gratifying to observe that the import trade is being conducted at present upon more liberal principles than formerly. For some years past the trade has been monopolized by a few large houses, employing their own vessels, and unwilling to grant to others the privilege of importing (by their vessels) direct. Arrangements, however, have recently been made by which such restrictions are removed, and retail merchants are now enabled to import on their own account. While this, without doubt, will lead to increased importation, it will also have the good effect of establishing a steady American trade in lieu of the speculative business conducted in times past.

I have no change to note in any of the laws affecting commerce.

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