New-York tribune., 1879-01-14
THE MEXICAN TRADE.
SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENT.


NEw-ORLRANS AND MEXiCO-liOW lhE 'offh"
BUSINESS Is CONDCCTED
iFRoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT or THE rRIBUNF'I
NFw-ORLEANs. Jan. 10.-It illustrates the Tar
reaching influence Of Ncw-York capital that the
steamers which ply between this city and Vera
Cruz are owned and controlled III the metropolis
The Orleans merchants are proud Of this bl-
monthly line. but large share of the profits there
from flows directly to Ncw-iOrk. During tho war;
and for some years later, the trade OF NeW-OreahS
with the Mexican ports was virtually suspended
and until the Alexandra line was estao-
lished here, about three years ago. lhc
traffic was OF small account IL has since d'-
veloped rapidly, and promises to form one "i the
most profitable branches of our foreign commerce.
Each steamer now generally carries out from 800
10 500 bales of cotton This fibre is intended ior
the cotton factories which the Mexicans have
established at Orizaba and other places. A good
article il grown in Mexico but the spinncrs find 1t
necessary to mix il with the American staple, which
is invariably i'm better condition. The McXicans
import. also by way Of this port, moderate guam
titles of cheap cotton prints, manufactured III part
i'm Alabama and receive besides "A large share "t
general merchandise. IN New-l"rk. where cheap
lrcights have been maintained so long, the
rates which rule her" would be deemed eXtraNa-
CANT. They are for outward freight 20 cents per
cubic foot, or 30 cents per pound. Dry-goods ana
groceries are charged by measurement while
machinery and the Ike pay according to thcir
weight. Cotton pays seven-eiehtis of cent
per pound the rate having been advanced from
five-cighths to that sum. These quotations are
only for conveyance to Vera Cruz or intermediate
ports; no through rates are quoted TO the CITY OF
Mexico. The railroad which connects the seaport
ana the capital Is owned 10y an English company,
inf. HtrT,a
mcut with foreign ahp-owncrs Oh tins point.
While the export trade Is thus gradually develop
ing and demonstrating the cXpcdicncy OF establish
ing steamship lines with Central and South
America the import trade Is making decided pro-
rrcss The coffee trade is probably the most active.
Mexico probably produces coffee which, with the
exception OF that OF Java, is equal 10 any
in the market. Last year she sen, To this country
/ ,20l tons of that bcrry-a small quantity com
pared with the Brazilian supply, winch attained the
great proportions of 100000 tons. The operations
in this nciwcnt business are interesting, Inasnurh
as they Indicate the general character OF the MaNl-
can trade. When the farmer at Cordoba has col
Icctcd his coilrr-bcrrics hr takes them 10 small
storehccper WHO pays for them al the current pIcr,
and sends them to commission merchant at Vera
Cruz, vino ~ turI cells them 10 some at the large
exporters, and RENTS the proceeds to his country
y-pondsut. The exporters having orders on
hand for cotton send ou the cohcc-b berries 10 their
agents here directing Them 10 sell them
and forward tie proceeds in cotton. Here
the agents invariably place the coi''e-bcr-
res in the hands of brokers, who dis
pose oi them hy private sale. The Mexican mcI-
chants thus ohyatc tho necessity of sending abroad
gold which is "a scarce commodity IA tLcir country,
and M ,hc came time derive a fair profit from the
transaction IN cotton. winch can be procured here
on rs good term, "a at Any port IN tie south. The
frciliu on coHcr-5rrrIcs Is generally 30 cents per
100 pounds. Tins is 10 cents moro than - paid To
uT.ng them from BiaIl. NIICu lS some 'Iuu-di.d
m.S more r,jIptc, bat such inconsistencies are -
common ia cpuI.Gctc" - not torNciir remark. ms
coffee bislnc,, Is N Itself an illustration ol tie need
oi iGrtpcT lulorIn1ton on the nature ol American
and Mexican trade. The Mexican needs 10 be as
.urrd that nc viii ma an unlimited market for his
product III the United states; that IN time
ne may expect 20 compete successfully "Ilh
Brazil. and that ne has CuIY 10 convince the
American people that ms pursuit ~ ~ 'At"nG
TO attract 10 il a snare OF that unemployed capital
which III tins country 's al the command OF any en-
tc,prlSe promising satisfactory return. On thor
part the American People have 10 learn the great
capabilities OF Mexico Tor coffee groWIn-, 80 that
The tariff may continue To encourage mat young
industry AID tha, the entire miurucc ol the IAcI
cauil" community may be exercised IN favor o. It's
development.
bullion, lanpco-hrr aud gun. The log
! wood IgulIeUs were diverted 10 Ncw-lorh
during the war, and nave not vet returned.
10 is noteworthy that all Of thrsr iI-
ports ale admitted duty free, with the eX-
ccption of hemp winch pays Hi5 per ton, ana
! honey, which is subject 10 % cents per gallon.
THIS consideration l4 important, nee It indcatcs
tbat reciprocity may be Established without eA!dn,
| grrin- our own industries OF making any radical
! changes an tine tarii.
! A, inc port of Vera Cruz Is Insecure for sailing
ve,scis, snpDcr- prefer 20 m!nisi ihclr Warr, an"
t.brIr> To- H., stiIl-AIpi, Whic cotton aNG tine NE
could not be forward "t any other W., ou ln. j o.,
fer terms au those quoted II - always possible.
however, to charter small vessels here on reasonable
terms winch manufacturer desires 10 c&porf heavy
niacnIhciy or any cOunnooty "uItn must De IJr-
! UardCd Chcaplj or not a. al.