APPENDIX. 



3S7 



which also furnish the means of carrying their native productions 

 to their sea ports, form a branch of trade of great magnitude, con- 

 sidering the population of the country. 



Their exports are calculated with some degree of accuracy, at 

 ten millions of dollars* These consist, principally, of ox hides, 

 jerk beef, and tallow, the present great staples of the country. A 

 variety of furs and peltry, some grain, copper, mostly brought 

 from Chili; with gold and silver in bullion, and in coin, chiefly 

 from the mines of Potosi. 



The iniports are computed to be about equal to their exports. 

 British manufactures form the principal mass, and they are to be 

 had in great abundance. They consist of woollen and cotton 

 goods of every description; some of them wrought to imitate the 

 manufactures of the country, ironmongery, cutlery, hardware, 

 saddlery, hats, porter, ale, and cheese, are among the remaining 

 articles. 



From the United States they receive 'lumber of all kinds, and 

 furniture of every description, coaches and carriages of all sorts, 

 codfish, mackerel, shad and herring, leather, boots and shoes, pow- 

 der and munitions of war, and naval stores, ships and vessels, 

 particularly those calculated for their navy or for privateers. 



From Brazils, they receive sugar, coffee, cotton, and rum. 



From the north of Europe they receive steel and iron, and from 

 France a number of articles of its manufacture. 



Their foreign commerce is principally carried on by British 

 capitalists, though there are some Americans, a few French, and 

 other foreign merchants, also settled at Buenos Ay res; they are 

 all placed, I believe, on the same footing of equality. 



The revenue of the state may be estimated at about three mil- 

 lions of dollars annually; but their system of finance is very im- 

 perfect, and although their debt is small, their credit is low; they 

 have hitherto avoided the issuing of paper money, and they have 

 established no bank; but they have sometimes anticipated their 

 revenue, by giving due bills, receivable in payment for duties, or 

 goods imported, or articles exported; the impost furnishes the 

 principal part of the revenue. A copy of their tariff, as at first 

 established, was some time since transmitted, I believe, to the de- 

 partment of state. In this, the duties were generally specific and 

 high. I understand they have been lately reduced, as their exor-~ 

 bitancy had occasioned much smuggling. 



