The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-18
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE.
HEAVY SUBSIDIES OFFERED BY vENE.
ZUELA AND COLOMBIA
To secure the establishment Of a Line q
steamers Between Their Ports
and New Orleans,

To secure the establishment of a Line Of
steamers Between Their Ports
and New Orleans.
The DEMOCRAT has been tireless in its efforts to
interest our mercantile community in the build
ing up Of the valuable trade with South and Gen.
trail America trade that ia now the ''big bonan-
"a" OF commerce, with more undeveloped riches
for whomsoever will grasp them than any other
we could strive for in all the world. Hearing
that MIR. f. Martinez. the able and efficient Con-
sui OF the Republics Of Venezuela and Colombia,
was earnestly interesting himself in this matter
under instructions from the governments he rep
resents, representative of the DEMOCRAT called
on him yesterday and provoked an interview, in
which he impaired some very important informa-
ton.
The following statistics, obtained from Mr..
Martinez, show the immense increase of the
trade with these countries since 1870, which he
attributes almost entirely to the remission by the
United States of the tariff duties on the two arti-
cles, hides and coffee, which comprise the main
portion Of the exports of these two countries.
In 1870 the whole value OF tho imports into
the United States in these articles, from veaezu-
ella and Colombia, aggregated but two millions Of
dollars. In 1879 the tariff was abolished, and
the value of the imports Immediately reached
three millions, and since then the increase has
been uninterrupted, until for 1875 it reached the
value Of 11,373,36l.
In 1870 the number Of vessels engaged in this
trade was but fifteen, with tonnage Of 2574 tons,
employing 100 hands. In 1875 the number of
vessels had increased TO 1874, with tonnage of
43, 459 tons, and employing 1856 American sailors,
while the value Of this trade in the two commodi-
ties Of coffee and hides has increased in that time
not less than 260 per cent. These immense re-.
suits are attributable, in the opinion OF Mr. Mar
tinez, mainly to the removal Of the tariff these
articles.
Mr.. Martinez declares that the two govern
ments he represents are extremely anxious to
establish direct trade with New Orleans, and
that he is authorized by them to enter into ne
g0tiations looking to the establishment Of line
Of steamers from this port to Laguayra and
BaraDqullla. In proof OF their desire to estab-
ish closer relations with this country he says
that President Sinarez, OF Venezuela, granted
subsidy OF $4,000 in gold per month to Mr.. G. Z.
Garmendia, Of New York, to secure the estab-
lishment OF regular mail steamer between those
ports and New York.
The superior facilities OF New Orleans as the
port In the United States through which the
trade with this country should pass is fully ap-
preciated and uudf rstood by the governments Of
Venezuela and Colombia, and Mr.. Martinez de-
clares that be 10 authorized to say that these
governments will grant similar subsidies of $4,000
each per month to any persons or company who
shall first establish regular steam mail service
between this port and those countries, Ia short,
Mr.. Martinez Is prepared to offer, on behalf OF
these governments, to parties who will establish
q regular line OF monthly steamers from New Or.
leans to those countries the handsome subsidy OF
S96, 600 In gold.
He says that Mr.. a. T. Lawler has interested
hlmself IN the enterprise and has completed, or
mas nearly done so, arrangements in Philadel-
phia for small steamer suited to the trade
which, it is hoped, will be placed in the trade at
an early day. Some time ago the steamer Ohis-
wick was secured for this trade, but she vss
much larger than present requirements irstified,
and falling to get cargo was withdrawn. Mr..
Lawler has been engaged in this trade for The
past eighteen months, employing three schooners
that have been plying hstween New O leans and
Laguayra. One of-these left last week, and
another leaves noxt week.
The Consul received yesterday an official COM
munisation from the government Of Venezuela,
flying him of the termination pleasantly, to
both governments, Of the trouble that arose be-
tween the United States and Venezuela in rela-
ton to the conduct Of MIR. Russell, our Minister
to that government. In consequence of some
letters in relation to Venezuelan affairs from Mr.
RUSSELL that had been published in the United |
States, he was given his passports. The United
States protested against this action as peremp- |
tory. and asked reconsideration. The matter |
has been satisfactorily settled, and the vene- |
zuelan government notifies it's representative
here that it is only awaiting the arrival of Mr..
RusselPs successor. The relations between the |
two countries are most cordial and there is moth |
ing now to interfere with the pre- jects MIR. Mar
tinez IL intrusted with. and for which he antici-
pates most satisfactory contamination at no |
distant day.