54 



COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



IMPORTS. 



The following table shows the foreign cotton textiles dispatched 

 from the custom-house in the city of Eio Grande do Sul for the year 

 1888: 



WEIGHT AND QUALITY. 



The weight of these goods, which include all the imported cotton 

 materials in the markets, I have not ascertained, but will add that the 

 figures show a large part to be of British origin, and to a casual ob- 

 server the nationality of the origin of the goods could not be told by 

 mere appearances ; the brand must be seen and the quality examined 

 closely to tell the place of manufacture. 



This being true, I presume every well-informed manufacturer in the 

 United States knows enough about standard British cottons to judge 

 weights very closely. American bleached muslins and sail duck or can- 

 vas is in very high favor with the consumers in all places in the prov- 

 ince where they have been introduced. 



MANNER OF PURCHASE. 



In regard to the manner of purchase, I can only say that they aje gen- 

 erally received by the importers in the usual commercial way, upon 

 orders, though many are sent here by foreign exporters on consign- 

 ment. As to time and terms of payment, which is conceded to be a 

 strictly private business of the importer, I am unable to give informa 

 tion. I am of opinion that the greater part are bought upon credit for 

 certain periods of time, varying accordingly as the agreement is mado 

 between the parties. 



DUTIES CHARGED. 



The following table shows the tariff on the classes of goods referred 

 to, in the foregoing table, in this province, under the special schedule, 



