Countries whence arrived.

Statement showing the number, tonnage, and nationality of the vessels arrived at Mauritius during the years 1862 and 1863.

Comparative statement showing the number and tonnage of vessels departed from Mauritius during the years 1862 and 1863, and the name of country to which cleared.

Total..

561

1

561

212

987
705

1, 136

1

288

987

705

1, 136

288

535 213, 298 144 72, 090 679 24, 388 556 206, 814 162 91, 564 718 298, 378

Comparative statement showing the quantity and destination of the sugar crops of Mauritius for the years 1861-'62, 1862-'63, 1863-'64.

Comparative statement of quarterly average prices and total value of the sugar crop from 1856-'57 to 1863-'64.

VICTORIA, V. I.-A. FRANCIS, Consul.

JANUARY 18, 1864.

I have the honor of making the following report in relation to the commerce, navigation, and other matters connected with this port, from the year 1858 to 1863, inclusive. Victoria, V. I., being the principal depot for the northern coast of the Pacific, and as little heretofore has been known of its trade and commerce, I have, as leisure permitted, collected from the best sources possible the statistics herewith submitted.

VICTORIA, V. I., 1863.

During the past year the trade of Victoria has been moderately prosperous. The city has gradually improved. Nearly one hundred buildings, including dwelling and business houses, have been erected. Its population is now estimated at between five and six thousand permanent residents. The importations during the year 1863, and preceding years from 1861, will be found in the tables of imports, marked A, and consisted principally of dry goods, liquors, provisions, and farming implements. The exports from this port, until within the last six months, were small, and no definite data as to the amount can be ascertained. The exports of merchandise for the last six months, ending December 31, 1863, will be found in table of exports, marked B.

EXPORT OF GOLD, GOLD MINES, ETC.

The year 1862 was marked by a great rush of adventurers to the gold mines of British Columbia. Over fifteen thousand persons are reported having passed up to the mines. Thousands were disappointed. Provisions were sold at famine prices, and the consequences were great suffering, destitution, and rushing back and reporting the mines as a failure and a humbug.

During the year 1863 the number of miners in the British Columbia gold mines was reported at thirty-five hundred. Provisions the past season were cheaper, and the mines have been more remunerating; several instances of fortunes having been and the parties returning to the United States.

The export of gold during the past year, as obtained from reliable sources, amounts to $2,935,170 16. It is computed that an equal amount has been taken away in the hands of private individuals. I enclose statement of the exports of gold from the year 1858 to 1863, inclusive, furnished at my instance by parties therein named, marked C.

SHIPPING.

Reference is made in relation to the amount of tonnage and number of crew entering and clearing at this port during the six months ending December 31, 1863, to statement marked D.

It will be noticed that the amount of American tonnage entering exceeds that clearing 1,018 tons. This is accounted for in the transfer to English subjects of quite a number of small vessels, prohibited by the collector of Port Angelos from importing goods subject to duty which heretofore had been running between this port and ports on Puget's sound.

AGRICULTURE.

But little attention is given to farming on Vancouver's island. For beef, pork, bacon, and provisions generally, as well as hay, oats, and barley, the people are almost wholly dependent on California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. During the year 1863 there were received from California alone 30,097 barrels of flour, 3,899 sacks of wheat, 28,939 sacks of barley, and 6,252 sacks of oats.

MINES OF VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

The business of prospecting for copper the past season on the island was quite a mania, and resulted in the discovery of several mines, which are attracting considerable attention. Companies have been organized, and are now working to develop their extent and value. His excellency the governor of Vancouver's island some months since offered a reward of £1,000 for the discovery of any paying gold fields on the island. Several parties immediately commenced prospecting, and late in the fall it was reported that mines had been found some twelve miles from the city. Quite a number of persons rushed to the spot and found gold, but not in sufficient quantities to pay for the labor. The miners, however, struck several quartz ledges, assays from which are encouraging. The quartz rock is now being raised, crushers manufactured, and it is predicted that this branch of business will open a new field for enterprise, and have a salutary effect upon the prosperity of Victoria.

MANUFACTURES, etc.

Aside from the foundry and machine business little is doing in manufacturing, One large foundry and machine shop has been erected during the past season.