Statement showing the description and value of the imports at San Sebastian for the year 1863, together with the names of the countries whence derived. Statement showing the description and value of the railway materials imported at San Sebastian during the year 1863, and the names of countries whence derived. Statement showing the number and tonnage of vessels which entered and cleared at the port of San Sebastian during the year 1863, as compared with the returns of 1861, there being no return for 1862. STEAM COMMUNICATION. About twenty-nine steamers ply between San Sebastian and foreign and home ports, as follows: This industry may be said to have almost disappeared. Formerly it was very flourishing. In the year 1660, at the Passages was constructed the largest ship to that date built in Europe. The following are the statistics of this trade: It grows The staple production of the province of Guipuzcoa is Indian corn. vigorously in the valleys and up the slopes of the mountains, which are cultivated at great heights, their forbidden ruggedness yielding to the industry of the peasantry. The average annual yield of corn is 92,625 quarters, valued at three-quarters of a million of dollars. The quantity of wheat grown yearly is estimated at 39,000 quarters, and worth half a million of dollars. This amount is inadequate to the requirements of the inhabitants. A considerable quantity is therefore imported. 59,347 quarters of potatoes are yearly grown, but of a very inferior quality, as far as I am able to judge. Flax is grown to the amount of 66,300 quarters, valued at $27,500. Apple orchards abound in the Basque provinces; and it is estimated that 1,114,500 gallons of cider, valued at $95,000, was made in Guipuzcoa alone for the year 1863. Great quantities of cider are drank by the peasantry; and it is believed that cider-drinkers were much less subject to attacks of cholera during the prevalence of that disease in 1852-'53. The northern part of Spain is a fine fruit-growing country; but no effort is made to improve the quality. The agricultural operations are exceedingly simple and primitive. INDUSTRIES. The following is a statement of the number and description of the mines in the province of Guipuzcoa: In proportion to the number, the total yield of these mines is small; but they are generally very imperfectly worked. Statement showing the number and description of the manufactories in this "Boinas," a sort of cap, generally worn, and woven without a seam. The following statement shows the population of the province at the several periods of 1800, 1832, 1842, and 1861, and the number of births and deaths during the year 1862: The great northern railway-linea del norte-was opened the 20th of August, 1564, for passengers and merchandise, from Madrid to Irun, on the French frontier, where it connects with the railway to Paris. The line has been operated through Castile and other sections for a considerable period; but the heavy character of the work-the engineering difficulties of carrying the line over and under the Pyrenees, which here break up into detached spurs-has delayed for a long while the enterprise just so happily completed. The longest tunnel in Guipuzcoa is 2,970 yards in length, and is 1,869 feet above the sea level. Besides this there are 22 other tunnels, measuring in all six miles. The viaduct of Orinostiqui is 1,120 feet long, and is carried over five arches, each having a span of 150 feet. The construction of this road is a grand tribute to engineering skill, and with other railways built and being built will place Madrid within 35 hours of Paris, and do much to redeem Spain from the stagnation into which she has so long fallen, by putting her in communication with ideas, agencies, and influences. PORT MAHON-H. B. ROBINSON, Consul. OCTOBER 22, 1864. I have the honor to forward to the department commercial report of the Balearic islands for the year ended December 31, 1863. Ivica, situated near the main land, produces salt in great abundance; also fruits, some of which are shipped to the United States under foreign flags. The culture of cotton has been commenced, which, from the present high price of the raw material, will be remunerative. Majorca is esteemed next to Cuba for productiveness. Wheat, fruits, oil, and various other articles, are shipped to the Spanish-American colonies and, coastwise, to Spain. The wealth of this island is very great. It has no direct communication with the United States. The imports and exports are made mostly under the Spanish and English flags. Heretofore, when American cotton was manufactured to a considerable extent, the raw material was received coastwise from Spanish ports. No American citizens are registered at Ivica and Majorca. Minorca, the most central point in the Mediterranean, and in constant communication with all parts of the world by telegraph and steam, is celebrated throughout Europe for the production of superior wheat, sought after for seeding, and shipped to the continent. The commerce of the island is very limited. The cotton mills formerly manufactured considerable quantities of American cotton, brought here coastwise. The vexatious annoyances persons meet with in passing through Spain have measurably prevented that intercourse which might lead to an extensive interchange of commodities. The baggage of passengers going from one Spanish port to another is subjected to a close inspection. I know of no country in Europe with which, I think, exchanges could be made to greater advantage to the United States than Spain. An article has recently been discovered in Spain which, from experiment, it is said, produces vegetable silk. So soon as I can procure samples, I will forward them to the department. Statement showing the number, tonnage, and cargoes of the vessels entered and cleared at the island of Minorca during the year 1863. Statement showing the value of the exports and imports at the island of Majorca during the year 1863. Statement showing the description, quantity, and value of the exports to the United States from the island of Ivica for the year 1863. Many vessels are quarantined here which are reported at other Spanish ports. Not one American vessel is included in the above statement. HAVANA-W. T. MINER, Consul General. Revised tonnage dues. The following is a free translation of the' order issued by our intendant general, under date of the 2d instant : His excellency the intendant general of the treasury, by virtue of royal authorization, dated 21st December last, has been pleased to resolve that, from the 1st of July next, the different port charges at present in force on all vessels arriving at this island shall be substituted by one sole duty, as follows: 1st. All vessels entering and clearing with cargo shall pay per ton measurement.... 2d. All vessels entering with cargo and leaving in ballast. |