186 



COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION, AMERICAN. 



Exports. The returns of domestic exports in 

 1884-'85 show a considerable increase in the 

 exports of cereals, but at lower prices, making 

 the aggregate value somewhat less; a slight in- 

 crease in the quantity and value of the cotton 

 export, a smaller export of live animals, and a 

 slightly increased export of provisions, but at 

 lower prices, reducing the aggregate value by 

 about the same percentage as the quantities 

 were increased ; a larger export of mineral oils, 

 but without a corresponding increase in value ; 

 a decrease in the timber export ; an unprece- 

 dented export of manufactured sugar, an in- 

 creased export of tobacco at higher prices, a 

 considerable increase in the export of cotton 

 piece goods, though scarcely any in the value ; 

 an increased export of leather, of whisky, and 

 some other articles, but diminished exports of 

 agricultural implements, sewing-machines, iron 

 and steel manufactures, except fire-arms and 

 builders' hardware, and most of the minor 

 manufactures that enjoy a reputation in foreign 

 lands. The commissioners who visited the 

 countries of Central and South America, in 

 pursuance of the congressional resolve of July 

 7, 1884, to study the means of promoting 

 American commerce, reported in favor of es- 



tablishing regular and direct steam communi- 

 cation with those countries, and of improving 

 the consular service by appointing American 

 citizens who shall be allowed to act as agents 

 for American manufacturers. They recommend 

 sending young men familiar with the Spanish 

 language as commercial traveling agents. The 

 conclusion of new treaties of commerce is 

 nrged. American hardware, axes, knives, 

 spades, and other agricultural implements, now 

 find a ready sale in Spanish America. Ger- 

 man and other European manufacturers imi- 

 tate American trade-marks. American locks, 

 sewing-machines, unbleached cottons, oil-cloths, 

 furniture, and many other articles, are fast su- 

 perseding those of European make. The ex- 

 tent of American commerce with the neigh- 

 boring republics is, however, insignificant as 

 compared with that of Great Britain, and much 

 less than that of Germany or France. English 

 exporters are able to give long credits, charging 

 6 per cent, interest per annum. The following 

 table gives the quantities, as far as they are pub- 

 lished by the Treasury Department, and the val- 

 ues of all the larger articles of export, the prod- 

 uct of the United States for the fiscal year 1884- 

 '85, compared with the previous twelvemonth : 



