COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 71 



7 pence to 4 shillings per dozen, and from Germany, (called "Madras," 

 and " Piguas ") at 4 to 5 marks per dozen. 



Cotton stockings and socks, duty sixth class, are brought largely from 

 England and from Germany. Those made of fil d'Ecosse thread pay a 

 higher duty, viz, seventh class. 



Sewing thread, duty fifth class, is an article considerably imported 

 into this district (it comes almost exclusively from Glasgow), viz, white 

 sewings on reels 6-cord at 200 yards. No. 30, 40, 50, 60, at 10. 6d. No. 

 8, at 11*. 2rf. 



White cotton balls, No. 50 to 150, at lljtf. No. 30 to 120, at lOJd. 



Cotton undershirts, white and striped, duty sixth class, are imported 

 from England, at 6 to 14 shillings per dozen. Germany, at 8 to 15 

 marks per dozen. Spain at 7J to 14 pesetas per dozen. 



The middling qualities are those which are in demand ; colored and 

 striped do not sell as well. 



WEIGHT PER YARD. 



All inquiries with respect to the weight per yard of the different cot- 

 ton textiles imported into this district have failed to elicit a satisfac- 

 tory reply. 



The commerce of Puerto Cabello takes no special notice of the weight 

 except as it affects the amount of the duties to be paid. In that respect 

 all the firms I have consulted agree that American goods generally 

 weigh more than European goods. " The prints are too heavy and too 

 good for this market ; " "On all white goods the United States pay 

 higher duty than English goods, " are the answers which I have obtain- 

 ed on all sides. 



One of the largest importers of cotton goods estimates the duty on 

 English prints at 40 per cent.; on American, at 60 to 70 per cent. ; on 

 drills, the duty on American is 40 per cent. ; on English, not quite 34 

 per cent. 



The same informant tells me that samples of American white goods 

 have been sent to England, where they are made lighter to suit this 

 market. 



HOW PURCHASED. 



Purchases are made in England, France, and Germany on terms of 

 credit ranging from three up to nine months ; but the most usual is six 

 months, counting from the date of the invoice. These credits bear in- 

 terest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum. 



The usual commission to agents for purchasing is 2J per cent., and 

 the buyer gets all discounts allowed to agents by the manufacturers. 



These discounts, on cotton textiles, are : In England, 1 \ to 5 per cent.j 

 in France, 2 to 6 per cent. ; in Germany, 2 to 6 per cent. 



