New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-14
TRADE WITH MADAGASCAR.

VIEWS OF TIE UNITED STATES CONSUL.
A LETTFR GIVING GRAPHIC PICTURE OF NATIVE
INDoLENCE-A FIELD FOR AMERICAN ENTER
PRISE.
In reply to- circular letter addressed by them
to United States COnsus stationed in various parts
of the world, Rathbone, Sard * Co., of Albany,
have received many letters, ontaining much valu-
able information upon the subject of extending
American trade and manufactures. The following
letter from w. w. Robinson. United States Consul
at Tamatave, Madagascar. has been forwarded to
! The TRIBUNE tor publication:
UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
TAMATAyE. MADAGASCAR, Feb IS 1879.
DEAR SIR: In response TO yours OF the 2lst OF Oco-
Der last asking information relation TO the trade in
and of in Madagascar, Incoseanswers 10 the
several questions, madeby g. T. Pletenberg. machn-
list and dealer in iron articles of all kinds, TO whom
had referred your letter. will add. in explanation,
that cooking done here in very primitive manner;
that Is the fire is knded the ground when the cook
room has no floor and on a box of kind filed with
sand or ear h. when il has floor. The smoke goeth
where II lsteth "One part into the OF the cook,
the balance into the soup tea. Every kitchen has
several shortegged tripods Of iron, which are placed
on I'm the fire, and the cooking utensils are put upon
them when in
What Is needed mere 10 introduce American products
Is resident American agent there none here except
! those engaged in wholcsang our cotton goods and
Kerosene OIL and they will not NEEDLE with other mer-
chandse. Our unbleached cottons now have complete
control Of this market, having swept out all Others.
Now this has been accomplished by sending these
goods to English French and German houses here nor
would II ever have been ACCOMPLISHED in that way but
an American house was established, with American
agents. VINO have managed their business upon Ameri-
principles OF trade wl;h sagacty energy and perse-
verance. The result above mentioned. have no
doubt, with equal effort and Judgment. many other
binds of Our introduced
similar success. But IN order to accomplish this. the es-
enlistment OF an American commission house N this
port viii be absolutely necess ry-a house that would
receive from the States" ana sell on commission any
and all kinds of productions, speca les general
merchandise. Such house should conduct "A retail and
wholesale trade in general merchandise cOnslder the
opening for such trade at This place as good il con-
Quoted on American rules OF trade, e., sell at low
profit and the quickly, as 10 build up
trade by inducing consumption.
As a sample OF the manner Of conducting the retail
trade here (Which is In the HANDS of MauritIus and
Bourbon Creoles. Maabars and Arabs and consists Of
European goods coming via Maurtus and Bourbon,
and OF course having paid the wholesale profits twice
once in Europe and once to the merchants OF those
Is granddaughter with all expenses for duties, lighter
age and Crayage twice those points and then the
freight thence this porD mention one instance
On my arrival here three and haf years ago, in max
lug myself acquainted with the town. dropped into
certain retail about 10 o'clock IN the morning, and
found the trader sleeping in his fauteuil; the
store appeared contain tOerably full assortment
Cor this placel OF general merchandise; but the whole
was covered with cObWcDs and dust, and had the APP
pearance OF having been there since the days Of
Radama J. I awakened the industrious trader and
priced some goods and came to the conclusion to
immediately apply 10 Congress for an increase OF sal
ary. Subsequently, needing a rat trap, and finding
none with the European traders sent TO this and
purchased 81 30 t would cost about 25 in
the States y but well worth the money relic OF
antiquity II may nave been made In France in the
days Of Charemagne SUPPOSE Tue proprietor mann
tanned himself anu family the ayaiis OF that trap
al least iOne can i've cbedply here II one eats
but IiCe), winch time other customer
might probably he tOrc-d-like myseli-by dire ncces
sy 10 Duy another article, and his family continue
live. lie has received 10 addition TO his stock since
came here, aud IT IS not pgiGeptibly diminished;
seyeriug aggressive American drops IN here with
STOCK OF American merchandise 10 disturb Their
dreams.
can see no why goods cannot be reailed here
nearly as cheapy az they can be IN The Western States
and # they be ofercd, the people Will buy. But
who. in community OF people OF moderate means, Is
goiug To consume butter at from 70 10 80 cents per
pound; cheese at 20 ceus SAT- meat at from 40 TO 20
cents for hams, and an other goods In the same
cannot be much increased unler the present policy OF
the Maagasy Government. The interests OF commerce
and the welfare of this country loudly demand some
changes and Improvements tnat can Only d. brought
abont by the influential action Of all OF the
powers having tr- aty relations this Government;
out, in the meantiue believe as have SAID ABOVE,
that such an American estaD lshment as nave de-
scribed would build up good rade by tax large
portion of wuch goes INTO the hands OF those have
mentioned / do not recommend such mouse 10 DRUG
dOwestics Tor wnOlesang, for TINS market
fully stocked by houses now well esabl shed III thai
line but transact general commission business
before indicated Then. think, you could sell cooking
stoves aud others could send ther respective specials
tes-lllls market at present viii not Warrl1 the rstaD
lisnment OF confined to any one line OF goods.
Rents for such establishment would now amount TO
custom duues 10 per cent, taken in kind on i'm
ports; XpOrts thsy vary from to per cent and
v urr"ncy iI ETrosesn sjlvcr fran" piece cnJ
into all sized pieces from l cent 10 80 change.
Products Tor eXpOriation, taken IN exchange for
goods, are dry-sated hides, lndia-rubbrr,
horus, cattle, hogs Obey 90 to M4gritius and
BuurbOD) coffee, sugar (prOpaby next yeH, DeeswaX,
cloves vanilla rice ana some other products IN small
amounts Inc population OF tuls town Is unknown, but
ma, De, aud think II about 5000 OF whom, perhaps,
this 10 all points on the coast.
North South and large quantities are scut 70 the
capital for The Interior trade Inc c"pial ltse II sad
to contain 100000 inhab ans but the bunDe is
known TO certainty Freight, 1T present, from the
States very low. and this wtn the freedom from
lower rents and cheaper living here would ena-
import duties, ana stll sell nearly quite cheaply as
In the States PROVIDED he can secure an equal amount
Of sales. .
by letters ali parts OF the Northern and Western
ST ates ind they sun continue To- come by every malD
like yours asking Information IN regard TO the chances
tor selling writer's respective specltcs. Many OF
these letters have answered. but many more neees-
sarly still unanswered and as think tins
muuicatOA gives the Information rtqurtd, as well as
Suggestions 10 what - needed 10 Introduce greater
variety Of manufactures, ana consequently 10 In
Of trade with his country, Win
ask you ITS publication You can 90 so without
much some Journal pest adapted 10
place the eyes Of lint greatest numDtr OF our
manufacturers exporters. Very respectfully yours
". ". ROBINSON, Il. .. Consul.
GRANGE sARp. esq. North FeTys., Albany, NJ \.