The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-29

on from than 1900 citizens Of Delaware has been
appointed to take into consideration and recommend the
best Of bringing sufficient supply TO- and to lessen
the price of guano in the United States Had nm oppor
nifty been offered there would have been thousands for
every hundred to that petition Before this committee OF
Congress appointed several efforts made to
tain the object which they have in view At different times
committees Of agricultural societies have waited the
Secretary Of State asking that negotiations should be
opened with the Peruvian government this subject
These negotiations yet have availed nothng-guano
has advanced instead of being lessened in price The farm
Of the country have been obliged to obtain from the
agents subagents hucksers specuators best they
could and frequently be thankful they could get it
ALL shall not here discuss the question whether they
have acted wisely in so doing, that they have
not but only offer suggestion for the committee in Con-
gess consider and for Congress adopt they
do something better.
The condition Of the guano trade is present follows
Peru about $60,OO0ooO for which she has pledged
her guano OF this debt full one-half due English
holders Of her bonds whose agents Anthony Gibbs
SOM the balance is due to the following houses who have
either loaned that government money the pledge OF
guano consgnments the agents Of houses which
have done So viz Montane, in France Muretta Co, in
SPAIN J. Levellar Son. in China; Fendall, for Maui
ritus and other islands, and Barreda Bro for the Uni
ted States These firms have either loaned particular
Of money to the government of Peru the pledges OF
certain amounts Of guano have agreed furnish money
commission merchants do.
The profit guano in England to the importer in ls4
was about twenty-three dollars per ton; but eights
have advanced since that time the profits are eig-
teen TO twenty dollars which suppose to be about equal
to those realized from its sale in this country IF the plan
which propose be successful one this per
be saved to The plan is follows: Let
the government Of the United States send special agent
to Peru with authority to offer the rate per for
the guano at the islands which Peru receives with
authority purchase given number Of tons per year
stipulated price II the Peruvian government accedes to
either of these propositions then let government ap-
point agents for the sale of the guano in the different
ports of the United States who shall receive reasonable
compensation for their trouble and sell the gunno at
price sufficient its original cost freight and other
expenses incidental to its SALE This would at reduce
the price of guano from fifteen twenty dollars per ton
and farmers instead of giving sixty, at least fifty
FIVE dollars per ton for guano would obtain it for thirty
FIVE forty dollars The only expense that the govern
ment need incur is the of agent messenger
to Peru The cost of the guano at the islands would be
refunded to the treasury the guano sold by the diff
ferent agents in our sea-ports.
The quantity of guano which will be brought to the
United States this year. learn from the most reliable
source will be about 100000 tons the saving the
sumner this quantity at the lowest estimate would be
S2o0o000 and probably might amount to 81 5000 and
without any hazard to the government We could offer to
purchase the guano at high rates any of those
gagged in the trade at present. and indeed could outbid
them because not seeking to sell it profit Peru might
object to sell island and thus part with her sover-
eighty IT. but national pride could prevent her
from selling her guano TO cash customer at higher
price than she obtains for it Selfnterest would in
duce her to do Our government could afford to pay
this higher price and then furnish it to from
ten to thirty dollars less than they pay forit The de-
tails of the trade could be easily arranged supply
sufficient quantity at the proper places without any risk
to the government Government would hesitate to
purchase through its agents articles from any foreign
country that might be necessary for its nsvyyards
sena and with equal propriety could purchase through
its agents material of such great utility TO the country
large Peruvian guano and to the agricultural
class at present 81 100000 per year. and in all probability
Sloooooo per year for the next six years beginning
years hence This is object surely worthy of the utmost
attention of Congress The has done nothing
scarcely yet for the great agricultural class and II
asks only that efforts be made for their benefit which will
the government only few thousand dollars and
which IL successful, will save them millions
Very respectfully, &c,
JAMES HIGGINS,
State Agricultural Chemist Of Maryland.