The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-17

From Report by Minister Conger, of Rio
Janairo

- SohSsIt VI MO de
Janeiro.
have the honor to report that DURING NV
brief soiourn here have given the matter nj
trade relations with this country such esrefnI
considerations as the limited time and onnor-
tunities have made possible, and | am CON
vineed that the successful reciprocity nepo,ia
tions have opened the doors of Brazilian trade
TO wonderful opportunities for our people If
they will only properly and intelligently take
advantage OF them. Diplomacy aud legislation
have done very much for them. They must
now do something for themselves, and Ii must
not be done blindly. The market is here, but IL
is fixed and controlled by habits which cannot
be easily changed nor disregarded. The sue
cessful Europeans have always observed these
trade customs. They make such goods as this
trade demands; they manufacture in such
style, quality and quantity as this people de-
sire: they pack them 10 suit the convenience or
tastes of their customers; sell upon such terms
as they demand, aud adop. the methods of ex-
change and payment required.
Our people secure the trade which
reciprocity otfers them in no other way: but,
once secured, acquaintance made, and business
aud confidential relations established, our
better methods may undoubtedly be introduced
with mutual benefit. This will cost our PEOPLE
some time, patience, and expense, but the re-
turns Will DC sure, ample, and not long delayed
The -four trade is already well understood and
established, sGd now, with free entry, needs
only 10 be pushed in order that our mills may
supply the trade which at present is largely
controlled by those in Trieste.
Bacon and hams in great demand here,
and, while we can end do make as good as any
In the world, yet little of ours is seen here, ex-
oept IL has crossed the Atlantic and been prop
eriy packed for an equatorial voyage and for this
climate. They can and should be properly
cured and packed at home and come direct.
The same may be said of butter, cheese, meal
and fish. II is not uncommon 10 see American
butter and bacon in this market which have
been shipped TO Europe and there packed as
our people might and should have done in the
first place, and then reshipped and sold here
with the necessary cost OF second packing
and = useless transatlantic voyage added to
the price.
Tie people OF Brazil insist upon cotton goods
of psrttcnsr weight. width, quality and color,
aud they must be folded and packed exactly as
they desire, matters of little import or expense
to our people, yet absolutely necessary 20 secure
the trade. Wall paper, which 10 much used
here. pays customs duties by weight. and 80
must be the thInnest possible. Carriages, har-
ness, saddles, furniture, tools, implements, ma
chinery and menu actures OF al kinds must be
OF peculiar character and style; but IL OF salts
factory kind, none more popular than Amer
lean. American locomotives are almost
universally used, and American axes CON-
rnand the highest price. 80 popular, indeed, arc
the products OF our skill and labor that many
European manufacturers mark their goods
with American brands in order 10 facilitate
their sales. Nearly All customs duties hare are
fixed by gross weight; the rough boards, hoops
and nails of which the packing boxes are made
pay the same duty per pound as the delicate or
valuable merchandise inside. The English and
other Europeans early learned this, and now
display exceeding eieverness in fashionirg light,
cheap and durable coverings for their goods.
Our people must do likewise.
know ledge and adoption Of the system OF
credits in vogue here IL also Indispensable. The
merchants here sell on long time, and they must
buy In the same way; bat they are willing and