44 COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



up as a great nation, than by the secret, silent influences of a closer and more intimate 

 intercourse. As it is, we are in a measure isolated from this port of South America. 

 Its possibilities are a sealed book to us. Its heroic struggles against the fearful odds 

 of the old Spanish conquest to rise to a higher level of civil and political freedom 

 have thus far met with no recognition by us, except the cold sympathy of diplomacy. 

 Let us show by practical methods the deep interest we take in the welfare and 

 advancement of the Argentine Republic, and republican government, not only here 

 but everywhere, will be the gainer, and we will be stronger and more firmly estab- 

 lished by the re-assuring company of the strong republics we will see marching for- 

 ward with us in the race of empire. 



Such are the triumphs in a national point of view which would result 

 from the establishment of a regular line of steam-ships between 

 the United States and the republics of the Eiver Plate, to say noth- 

 ing of the stimulus which it would give to our trade, and especially 

 our cotton trade, with this part of South America. But the future 

 which would thus be opened up to our cotton-mills, by placing 

 them on an equality in respect to transportation with those of Man- 

 chester, can scarcely be estimated. And it is to be borne in mind 

 that the trade which would thus be placed within the reach of our 

 country is not for a day or for a season, but for all time to come, with 

 an importance .which will increase with the growth and development of 

 the Argentine Eepublic. 



E. L. BAKER, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Buenos Ayres, August 19> 1889. 



BRAZIL. 



BAHIA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL BVRKE. 



Information on the first point in the circular, viz, "Quantity and 

 kind of cotton textiles imported per annum," I found could best be 

 obtained from the custom-house. Accordingly in this connection I 

 inclosed a table of such importations covering the year ending Decem- 

 ber 31, 1888. 



In this table, in addition to the quantity and the kind of cotton tex- 

 tiles imported, the duties levied are also given, thereby covering the 

 fifth point in the circular, viz, " Duties charged thereon." I might say 

 right here that the number of cases for the year 1888 differs but little from 

 each of the four years preceding, with the exception of 1885. In 1884 

 the number was 27,9G3 ; in 1885, 10,955 cases; in 1886, 23,589; in 1887 ? 

 22,098; in 1888, 28,895 The first six months of the present year show 

 an importation of but 5,267 cases. The falling off is due chiefly to the hard 

 times prevailing. 



