252 FILES IN SPANISH AMERICA. 



(2) The files imported by the merchants are very few. They come 

 mostly from England, a few from Germany. The kinds are triangular, 

 in lengths from 3 to 5 inches. Mill and blacksmith files are not salable, 

 no horse-shoeing being done here. 



(3) No files are manufactured in this country. 



(4) Assorted triangular files, in lengths 3, 3J, 4, 4J, 5, and 5J inches, 

 cost $3 for 6 dozen in England. 



A leading merchant of Managua told me he bought in England, four 

 years ago, 4 dozen 8-inch mill files, costing $5. He has 2 dozen still 

 on hand. The tariff on files is 5 cents (American gold, 3) a pound, 

 gross weight, including the package in which they are brought. 



OH AS. H. WILLS, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 

 Managua, February 4, 1890, 



SOUTH AMERICA. 

 ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 



REPORT BY CONSUL BAKER, OF BUENOS AYRES. 



I am in receipt of the circular of the Department of State of the 25th 

 of August last, stating that some of the file manufacturers of the United 

 States are desirous of extending their trade to South America ; and, to 

 that end, have submitted certain interrogatories, which I am requested 

 to answer. 



(1) There is no call for American files in the Argentine Republic, for 

 the reason, perhaps, that little if anything is known in regard to them. 

 If, however, they were properly introduced, and they should meet the 

 views of the market, it is not improbable that a demand could be 

 created for them. 



(2) Files are imported into this country of almost every variety, and 

 they come mostly from France, Germany, and England. 



(3) No files are manufactured in the Argentine Republic. 



(4) It is somewhat difficult to get the price of purchase at wh^ch im- 

 porters or wholesale dealers are supplied by manufacturers, for the rea- 

 son that they do not care to reveal the secrets of their trade to outsiders. 

 By inquiry, however, I learn that wholesale dealers, when gold was at 

 50 per cent, premium, sold three-cornered files, sizes 3 to 5 inches, at 

 90 cents to $1.20, Argentine paper currency, per dozen, according to 

 brand. To-day, with gold at 112 per cent, premium, they are selling 

 them at $1.50 to $2, Argentine paper currency, per dozen. 



To-day, with gold as I have said at 112 per cent, premium, wholesale 

 dealers are selling flat, half-round, and square files of all kinds, coarse 

 cuts, at from 5 to 6 cents per inch, Argentine paper currency, per 



