Statement showing the value of exports to the United States for the year ending June 30, 1877. Statement showing the navigation at the ports of Hiogo and Osaca for the year ending Junə 30, 1877. MEXICO. MEXICO CITY, December 30, 1877. (Received January 5, 1878.) Report upon the agriculture, trade, and industries of Mexico for 1877, EXPLANATORY REMARKS. As required by articles 380, 381, and 382 of the Consular Regula tions of the United States, I have the honor to make this my annual report, and to add that notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 380 of Consular Instructions, only a portion of the consulates have forwarded to this consulate-general their reports, for which reason the annual report of the consulate general is less complete than I have wished it to be. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that there will be found. herein information and statistics of value, and which may contribute to the improvement of commercial transactions between Mexico and the United States. Owing to the revolutionary condition of this country during the years 1875 and 1876, and the continued unsatisfactory organization of the various branches of the custom-house department, it has not been possible to secure from the secretary of the treasury such data as he would most willingly furnish me had the same been in his possession. There is room to hope, however, that such deficiency in this report as arises from this state of things may be furnished in the next annual report. AGRICULTURE. The crops have failed entirely or in great part in the States of Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and the Territory of Lower California. In Oaxaca the indigo crop is short, and deaths among cattle have been very numerous in consequence of the drought. The production of cochineal in this State is also falling off in consequence of the diminished demand, manufactured coloring matter having taken its place. In Lower California attention is being directed to the cultivation of cotton with success, and the product is large and very white. The cotton crop has failed in the State of Guerrero, the yield being only 1,000 tons, price 15 cents. Sugar is abundant there, and worth 4 cents per pound for brown sugar. Corn and rice are abundant in that State. The federal government has authorized the free importation of cereals into the States of Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Lower California to the value of $60,000, owing to the short crops and consequent suffering. TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES. Referring to the facilities that might be afforded for opening up a much more extensive trade for American merchandise and manufactures, I herewith give some extracts from a report sent me last October by the representative of one of the leading exporting houses of New York City: The very high rate of freight charged by the New York and Mexican steamers belonging to the Alexandre line acts as a serious drawback in opening up a foreign export trade for the United States in the Republic of Mexico. I have personally found this a great impediment, not only affecting light merchandise but heavy articles. Freight now comes at so low a rate from Liverpool to Vera Cruz that it makes it impossible to pay the present rate charged. If the United States would or could subsidize this line for one or two years, until the nucleus of a large trade was established, but with the condition to reduce the freight, say at least one-half of the present rates per pound or per measurement, it would be of very great advantage to the shippers. It would be a great benefit to the commerce of the United States if the government would adopt a liberal policy with steamers engaged in opening up a foreign export trade from the port of New York or other Atlantic ports. MANUFACTURES. No new factories have been established in Mexico since my last report. The demand for American prints and some cheap goods is increasing, although sellers and manufacturers should learn the tastes and customs of Mexican consumers and present fabrics here to suit the same. Particular attention is due to the very interesting report of Mr. Sutter, the consul at Acapulco, in regard to the business done between Manchester, England, and the Pacific coast of Mexico in bleached cotton sheeting and shirting, printed jaconets, handkerchiefs, &c. MINES. During the year there has been some improvement in mining matters in the Pachuca and Real del Monte mining district, where a small bonanza" has been discovered in the mine called Santa Gertrudis. In the State of Sonora, also, there has been some advance made in silver and gold mining. Tamaulipas continues to yield lead, and Oaxaca iron, lead, copper, gold, and silver. The gold mines in Guerrero are not be ing worked at present, owing to some disorganization in the company which had formerly employed their capital there. FISHERIES. This business is confined to fish for the table, orchilla, and pearls. The supply of the latter continues to be limited, owing to the fact that divers have exhausted the beds. SUBSIDIZING OCEAN STEAMERS. A subsidy has been conceded of $2,000 per trip for the steamer Newbern to run from San Francisco to Mazatlan, La Paz, Guaymas, Cape San Lucas, and Magdalena Bay. This line was represented here by Mr. Samuel A. Ames. A similar concession has also been granted to Guillermo Andrade, with a subsidy of $1,500 per trip, between San Blas and other ports of the Gulf of Cortés. A bill has also passed Congress authorizing the President to make a new contract for a line of steamers to run between New York and Vera Cruz and New Orleans and Vera Cruz, on the basis of the contract recently held with the line of F. Alexandre & Sons, of New York City, which firm is a competitor for the said new contract. RAILROADS. There has been no railroad extension in Mexico during the past year. Several new lines have been projected and admitted by the national Congress at its last sessions, which are as follows: From Celaya, passing through Salamanca, Yrapuato, and Silao, with a branch to Guanajuato and terminus at Leon. From Zamora to the village of Iacona, State of Michoacan. From Mexico to Cuernavaca and the river of Amacuzac, State of Guerrero. Merida to Progreso (Yucatan) conclusion. Ometusco, on the Vera Cruz and Mexico Railroad, to Pachuca and Tulancingo. Celaya to Palmillas, on the borders of the States of Hidalgo and Queretaro. Modification of the line from Cuatitlan to Toluca. EARNINGS OF THE VERA CRUZ AND MEXICO RAILWAY-MAIN LINE 292 MILES. The total earnings of the year 1876 amounted to £435,629 8s. 11d., or an average of £28 12s. 10d. per mile per week, against £474,121 48. 4d. and £31 18. 8d. in 1875, the dollar being taken, for the purpose of calculation, at the value of four shillings. The traffic expenditure was £233,620 17s. 5d., or 53.62 per cent. of the earnings; the total working expenditure, including charges of adminis tration and hire of rolling stock, was £269,693 08. 3d., or 61.90 per cent. of the earnings. The traffic expenditure in the year 1875 amounted to £249,886 98. 4d., or 52.70 per cent. of the earnings. The traffic train mileage during the year 1876 was 420,777 miles; the total train mileage was 435,546 miles. In 1875, the traffic train mileage was 514,873 miles, and the train mileage 542,855. The train earnings (sundry miscellaneous items being deducted from the gross receipts) during 1876 were £431,436 4s. 2d., or at the rate of 20s. 6d. per traffic train mile, against 18s. 34d. in 1875. The traffic expenses during the year were at the rate of 11s. 104d. per traffic train mile, and at the rate of 98. 24d. per actual train mile run, the rates in 1875 being 98. 8d. and 98. 24d., respectively. The approximate total tonnage carried on the line during 1876, exclusive of luggage, carriages, live stock, articles not charged for by weight, and the company's materials, was 123,517 tons of 1,000 kilograms. JULIUS A. SKILTON. |