Summary statement showing the destination of vessels under the Chinkiang pass, cleared at the port of Hankow during the year 1863. Destination of native craft and rafts under the special junk pass, cleared at the port of Hankow during the year 1863. Summary statement showing the tonnage of the British and American vessels entered and cleared at the port of Canton during the year 1863; also the tonnage duties, and value of the imports, exports, and coast trade. Résumé of the import and export trade of Canton for the year 1863. The trade of this port has been rather brisk for several months, and I have heard many regrets expressed that the state of our commerce prevented or discouraged freighters from taking American charters. There is no questioning the fact, ceteris paribus, American carriers are the favorites on the China coast, and we may well hope to regain our former ascendency after the present domestic troubles are concluded, as fast as our ship-builders and owners can come forward to occupy the field. DECLINE OF THE CHINESE REBellion. It is the prevailing impression in this community that the Taiping rebellion is doomed to recede into the southwest, the ancient home and never-failing retreat of nearly all Chinese insurgency, and that before another summer the export trade of China will experience a great revival. But whether Macao will share very largely in this expected revival is highly problematical; yet with the present encouraging policy of its authorities, and the marked energy and ambition of our new governor, the general trade of China will scarcely advance without an accompanying tide of prosperity for this ancient port. HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. HILO JOHN WORTH, Acting Consul. SEPTEMBER 30, 1864. I have the honor in this my annual report from this consulate to state that under the new constitution of this kingdom, promulgated on the 20th day of August last, the legislative body is not called to assemble until the 19th day of October next, consequently there are no changes in the commercial system of this kingdom to report. The exports from this island to the United States direct are confined to a few small shipments of late, consisting of sugar, molasses, pulu, amounting to some $3,500. Articles of export generally consist of sugar, molasses, hides, goatskins, wool, arrowroot, coffee, pulu. These articles are shipped to Honolulu, thence to market, principally in American vessels, which bring as return cargoes American and English goods as imports. The value of exports or imports I am not able to state. The coffee crop is yearly decreasing, owing to blight. There were exported from Honolulu to San Francisco, principally from this island, from January 1 to September 30, 1864, about 36,000 pounds of pulse, invoiced at 6 cents per pound. There has been in active operation on this island the last year four sugar plantations, which have manufactured about 900 tons of sugar. Two more will commence manufacturing in from one to two months. It is estimated that the six plantations will manufacture the succeeding season at least 20,000 tons of sugar, with a proportion of molasses. The planters find great difficulty in procuring a sufficient number of laborers, and are taking preliminary steps to procure labor from abroad. These plantations are owned as follows, viz: Three by American capitalists; two by Chinese, and one by German. Steps are being taken to export direct from this port to San Francisco, and should the attempt prove successful will be the means of decreasing the expense of shipping the products of this island considerably. Some feeble attempts have been made within the past few months in raising cotton, but as yet without much success. No doubt there are portions of this island where cotton might be successfully raised by persons experienced in its culture. Tobacco, also, might be raised to a considerable extent, but the scarcity of labor will prevent any great amount of these articles being produced at present. The Hawaiians, as a people, are fast fading away, and these islands must ere long be inhabited by foreigners. Whale ships, the arrival of which may be expected in one month, will give some impetus to trade, which now is, to say the least, not active. A number of these ships, however, may be expected to visit San Francisco this fall, that they may communicate earlier with their owners in regard to shipment of the season's catch, as they are unacquainted with the movements of the rebel privateers. Exchange on the United States is from par to 2 discount, payable in gold; payable in currency, unsalable, as the rate must necessarily rule so high. HAYTI. CAPE HAYTIEN-ARTHUR FULSOM, Consul. SEPTEMBER 30, 1864. I have the honor of enclosing herewith my consular returns for the quarter ended September 30, 1864. * * * It will be perceived there is a great diminution in the quantity of coffee exported from Hayti this year from the last, which is owing to a very short crop the last year; it will also be seen that the figures of imports from the United States have augmented at this place, caused, first, by high prices in the United States, secondly and principally, by the Dominicans getting their supplies from this place, in consequence of their ports being blockaded. There is also an augmentation of our exports of tobacco, wax, and hides, received from the Dominicans in exchange for their supplies drawn from this place. The present crop of coffee looks favorable for a full average. The disproportion of exports to the United States in comparison to the imports continues to be the same: the coffee and logwood are still shipped to Europe, and the difference is made up, as before, by drafts on Europe and gold. Statement showing the number of vessels entered at and cleared from Gonaives with cargoes to and from the United States during the several quarters of the year ended September 3, 1864. Produce shipped to United States: Logwood, 4,757,600 lbs.; cotton, 257,645 lbs.; coffee, 4,640 bags-600,146 lbs.; mahogany, 12,234 feet; hides, 990; honey, 844 gallons. Entered: 9 American vessels, 1,503 tons; 24 foreign vessels, 3,434 tons. Class of American vessels: 1 bark, 5 brigs, 3 schooners. Summary statement showing the imports and exports of Gonaives during the year ended September 30, 1864. |