New-York tribune., 1878-11-26


special agent of the State and Post Office De-
partments on the condition of commerce in
South America are given below. The re-
port shows that an immense trade is open
to the United States on both the At
lantic and Pacific coasts of South America.
American steamship lines are looked upon
with favor, and several States are ready to
extend aid in establishing them.
THE REPORT TO SECRETARY EVARTS.
WHERE THE TRADE OF THE EAST AND WEST COASTS
GoEs-THE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO AMERICAN
STEAMSHIP LINFs.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRmUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Mr. J. w. Frolick, who
was sent to South America last December by the
State and Post Office Departments jointly, to in
quire into the condition of the commercial and
postal affairs Of the South American States, with
view to establishing closer international relations
with the United States has returned, and has SUBJ
mitted reports to the Secretary Of State and the
PostmascrGeneral. In ms report TO the SecI etary
of State, Mr.. Frolick says:
On the west coast OF Mexico the opportunity offered
for inquiries at the ports Of call for the steamers was i'm
proved as far practicable and the United States
Consu at Mizaan, ManzanlllO and Acapulco furnished
at my request, reports verifying the conditions under
ports FROM these IL appears that little change has taken
pace there for many years, and that German
and English houses almost wholly control the supply OF
Imported goods. Little business was done with the
United States, either in export OF whatever was sent
out OF the cOnntIy in the return trade OF general
merchandise. The channel for supplying the wants
ofthe country is kept closely IN the hands OF few
who grant long credits and charge high prices and
who never Identify themselves in any manner with the
the improvement Of the country The reports OF the
cOnsuls quite explicit In stating the present dini
cultes In the Of any satisfactory extension OF the
trade OF that coast with the United States The Prov
inces Of Mexico are many OF them. fertile and capable
o, abundant production especially Colina and Guerreno
The United States Consul reports that the
first named IL capable OF producing MY
times It's present amount OF tropical staples
coffee. rice, cotton sugar aud indgO-and that many
articles Of merchandise received there from Ham
Burg and sold by Hamburg merchants came originally
from the United states, being sent from Newfork TO
the European depos In which assorted cargoes are made
up for general export tropical countries Both Man
Zanilo and Acapulco are points at when
large trade should exist with the interior. extend
ing districts easily reached from Vera Cruz or from
any other point Of the east coast. Cheaper ana more
frequent communication 10 much needed on this
coast and when the postal service OF that part OF Mex
leo conormed TO the free delivery system there VIII
be prospect favorable TO the much needed improve
ment OF the country
The west coast OF Central America is in much
the same condition that OF Mexico. TRADE
with tho United States is obstructed In the same
manner, and excessive postal charges, with high rates
for freight unite restrict intercourse, especially on
the part OF citizens Of the United States On the Isbmus
n very mater ial discrimination found to exist nd
verse 10 freighs from the United States destined for
countries south OF Panama as compared with LiVerpoo
and southampton freghts for the same destination;
merchandise nom New-York or any other city OF the
1 lnoO =
| s2o per ton from England. This contrast was OF
course almost prohibition, and immediate efforts
were made TO modify IT, With the assistance and coop
Grafton Of the United States Consus at the lshmus and
the agent Of the Transit Companies there, meeting
was invited with the directors OF the Pacific Steam
Navigation Company, then at Caao This meetingt TOOK
place February 90 last my arrival az Calao, and an
AGREEMENT as at once concluded equalZng the freight
charges on classos Of merchandise from Newfork with
those from Liverpool, which was q reduction OF
| about one-third OF the amount then charged.
Much credit for this prompt action is due Brandon
Mosly. General superintendent OF tho Pacific Mall
steamship Company at Panama, and TO the resident
agent Of the Pacific steam Navigation Company. whose
rendezvous Is at Caao and whose fleet OF steamships
bas uonopoly OF the trade OF that coast At the time
OF my visit IN February last the trips OF this line were
| made thrice "A month TO and from Panama. They
| have now been increased to weekly service be-
| tween Panama and Callao, or Lima. may here
rpfp tD "A
OF the Isthmus I'm goods from the United States, which
shoys Il had increased In four months ending with
septeInber 1873 ll3 per cent the transit OF SINH
| lar goods for he period OF 1871 this
| increase being attributed 10 the reductions
| Of freights and TO the increased demand IN
| Peru and Chill for American goods. II may
ne stated that the official report OF exports going by this
route TO countries the west coast south Of Panama is
set down AZ 10 tho United States OF Colombia that being
the Government In which the Isthmus OF Panama Is EN-
! braced
All tho information obtained by me as to the busi-
ness and the productions OF Peru, establishes the
positIon country as one or the nIst rank IN
| natural resources and in the enterprise through
| which these resources have been developed. 1t
| offers very great advantages to our merchants
| in seeking a fair participation In the trade when
has so long been held exclusively by other hands.
Peru is much more prosperous than mas
| been generally supposed. An enjoyment Tor many
wears Of an export trade IN the most Valuable staples
has brought great return OF wealth to the country Al
he present time the partial decline III exports OF guano
ia more than compensated by the increase III nitrate OF
| soda which Is Il natural product OF the Province
of La Rapaca and Is readily prepared by recrystaLa-
ou for export The large number OF private WORKS es
tablished for the preparation or ELABORATION Vi III
| trltc have now been purchased by the Govern
meut and capitalized at cost OF about Si3oooooo'
I'm order 70 retain control OF the entire export ana create
source OF revenue least equal to that derived from
In the year 1877 nearly onehaf OF the total pro
duet OF about 100000 tons was 80 confronted ana export
ed on Government account and 1878 II Is eApcc'cu 'a'
seyenehths OF this product will be so conlrOed none
being I'm private hands after the close OF the year. Inc
immediate coast OF Peru the Northern provinces mas
great adaptation to the production Of sugar ana the
rich Valley OF Chacama, near Truxlo' and other val
| lcys arc In progress OF development bY irrigation
and the establishment Of estates Ihe eApor. vi s,s'
ia very large. Formerly much OF u went 10 san fr"
i.eo but II now chiefly goes to England Cocoa bark,
wool OF the alpaca, rich silver ores "copper"
! fin and other metals are among tho "rsei
| .t..t.,, intereats I'm silver and