The traffic returns of the Suez Canal for the year 1883 do not show anything like the increase of business which the reports of the previous year might have led one to expect. The figures from the time of the first year's complete working have already been stated in the report for the year 1882, and from which it will be seen that the receipts in 1880 were 10,000,000 francs in excess of those in 1879, and that the receipts in 1881 advanced 11,500,000. In 1882 they increased nearly 9,250,000, but during the last year the increase was only 5,098,500 francs. The dividend for 1882 was, including the 5 per cent. interest which each share bears, 16 per cent., and for 1883 it has slightly increased, viz, 17.3 per cent. Owing to a variety of circumstances, the year 1883 did not open well for the canal company's business. In January and February the traffic was less than during the same months of the previous year. In January, 1883, the number of ships was 251, the tonnage 610,769, and the receipts were 4,999,307 francs, as against 305 ships of a tonnage of 639,605, and 5,443,051 francs, in January, 1882. In February, 1883, the number of ships was 215, the tonnage 521,440, and the receipts were 4,278,840 francs, as against 290 ships, 613,830 tons, and 5,247,960 francs in February, 1882. In March, 1883, things took a turn for the better, and the number of ships was 367, the tonnage 851,367, and the receipts were 6,993,596 francs, as compared with 313 ships, 662,494 tons, and 5,645,136 francs in March, 1882. It may be pointed out that March was the best month of the whole year; nevertheless, the returns for the first quarter showed a falling off of 75 ships and 70,405 francs as compared with the same period in 1882. The second quarter of the year began better and the figures to June 30 were as follows: April, 330 ships, 6,180,000 francs; May, 352 ships, 6,800,000 francs; June, 298 ships, 6,032,576 francs; whereas, in the corresponding months of the year 1882 they were for April, 322 ships, 5,926,487 francs; May, 271 ships, 5,131,634 francs; June, 230 ships, 4,540,282 francs. The total for the first six months showed an increase of 82 ships of a tonnage of 568,458 tons and 3,407,270 francs. Though in July the increase was maintained, the months of August and September again showed a diminution, the figures being in August 252 ships and 5,180,000 francs, as against 343 ships and 5,610,645 francs in August, 1882; and in September 237 ships and 4,794,502 francs, as against 246 ships and 4,960,000 francs in September, 1882. In October the traffic again increased and the number of ships was 223, and the receipts 4,656,962 francs, as compared with 208 ships and 4,258,293 francs in October, 1882. In November and December the receipts once more slightly increased, the totals for the two months being 470 ships and 9,853,000 francs, as against 432 ships and 9,144,557 francs for November and December, 1882. It therefore results from the foregoing that in no less than four monthsnamely, January, February, August, and September-there was a posi tive falling off in the business of the company, and though in the other months there was an increase, the net results for the year tend to show that the canal traffic is reaching the furthest stage of development which is likely for some time to attain, and this is a fact which those interested in making a rival canal will do well to reflect upon. It is, of course, impossible to say what the future may have in store, but it is obvious that the business of the canal cannot be reckoned upon to increase in the rapid manner in which it has done in the past few years. The twelvemonth just elapsed cannot be looked upon as an exclusively bad one for maritime business on the whole, and the returns of the canal traffic for that period may be taken as a fair sample of what the canal will realize for some time to come. UNITED STATES CONSULATE GENERAL, G. P. POMEROY, Cairo, February 18, 1884. CAPE VERDE ISLANDS. Table showing the values of and the duties paid on merchandise imported into and exported from the Cape Verde Islands during the year 1882. With this amount is added $715,011, the custom-house value 183,000 tons of coal imported into St. Vincent during the year 1882, and for which $60,493 was collected as duty. Movement of domestic, national, and foreign vessels in the province of Cape Verde Islands for the year ending June 30, 1883. List of shipping at St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands during the year 1883. Nationality. VESSELS OF WAR ENTERED. Steamers. Sailing vessels. No. Tons. Crews. No. Tons. Crews. List of shipping at St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, &c.-Continued. This number includes 12 arrivals of the American trading schooner Annie Fairfax, stationed in these islands. Return showing the quantities, value, and character of United States merchandise dispatched at the custom-house of St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, for consumption, during the year 1882. Dyed cottons, drills, denims, &c. Articles not mentioned in customs tariff, for which duties charged at ad va lorem ratest. Tools, instruments for arts and industry Total * Oars, sails, ropes, pitch, canvas, &c. Wood, lumber, shingles, nails, &c. Preserved provisions, hats, hammocks, salts, lamps, paints, oils, biscuits, brooms, quilts, logwood for dyes, medicines glassware, sundries, &c. |