222 COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



It is acknowledged here that the unbleached American cotton is su 

 perior to the English, and in vain have the shop-keepers who trade 

 mostly with England endeavored to have the American successfully 

 imitated. 



Per contra, the English bleached cottons are more in favor, which I 

 am informed is probably due to the fact that they contain more sizing, 

 deluding the buyers into the belief in their superiority. 



The purchases in England are made generally through agents, but 

 some of the more enterprising shop-keepers go and select the goods 

 themselves. 



In the United States purchases are made through agents residing 

 there, and also by the masters of the sailing packets, who take many or- 

 ders, receiving payment after delivery of the merchandise. 



The trade between the Azores and the United States is limited, of 

 course, owing to the small population of the former, but it is carefully 

 cultivated by those engaged in it. 



Calicoes that formerly were almost entirely imported from England 

 are now furnished by Portugal, the fabrics being taken from England 

 principally to be dyed in the Portuguese factories that are protected by 

 high duties. 



I have limited this report to the island of Fayal, for it is difficult to 

 get statistics at some of the other islands, and if it went beyond it 

 should properly extend over the consular district which embraces the 

 nine islands, the population of which is only about 250,000. 



S. W. DABNEY, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Fayal October 22, 1889 



