COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 35 



be readily ascertained when the deduction of from 9 to 11 pounds tare 

 is allowed on the gross avoirdupois of the bale, the heaviest being about 

 3J yards and the lightest 5 yards to the pound, or, as I estimated it, 

 about 4i ounces for the heaviest and 3} ounces for the lightest per 

 yard. 



HOW PURCHASED. 



These goods are purchased on a credit of six months in the United 

 States and on nine and twelve mouths in the European markets. 



WHERE MANUFACTURED. 



All this class of goods imported from Great Britain is manufactured 

 at Manchester, while those from Germany are imported through Ham- 

 burg, but where manufactured I am not prepared to state; nor have I 

 succeeded, after diligent inquiry, in ascertaining where the cotton im- 

 norted from France and Italy are shipped or manufactured. 



DUTIES. 



The duty charged upon these goods is 30 cents per kilogram on the 

 gross weight of the bale or package, which amounts to 110 per cent, on 

 cost; 80 per cent, of which is paid in cash, and the remaining 30 per 

 cent, in Government bonds. 



EUROPEAN VS. AMERICAN COTTON IN SALVADOR. 



In my interview with the merchants I discover that the larger 

 share of American cottons are marked " Indian Head Mills and Mas- 

 sachusetts shirtings." 



I am informed by the merchant that there are serious obstacles to 

 overcome in the introduction of this class of American goods, notwith- 

 standing their acknowledged superiority. 



He has in the first place a credit of only six months in the States 

 with 6 per cent, interest on his bills, while in the European market he 

 has nine and twelve months with 5 per cent, interest. Besides this dis- 

 crimination, he alleges there is a difference in freight and exchange in 

 favor of the European market. 



Hence it is the manipulations of trade in dry goods and cotton textiles 

 seem to operate against the development of this branch of American 

 interests in this quarter. 



Aside from all these drawbacks, however, I have the assurances of 

 some of the most intelligent and enterprising merchants ot San Sal- 

 vador that in view of the superior merit of the American fabrics they 

 are inclined to make some sacrifices in order to introduce them perma- 

 nently into these markets. 



T. T. TUNSTALL, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



San Salvador, August 9, 1889. 



