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and the minister of foreign affairs at the palace, at which interview we read an address, a copy of which will be found herewith. The President responded orally; a translation of his remarks is also transmitted herewith. Before our reception the minister of foreign affairs held a long conversation with us on the subject of our mission. He stated fully the views of his Government on the main topics, which were afterwards reaffirmed by the President.

The project of a convention of the countries of Central and South America and the United States meets the hearty approval of this Government. The question of a common silver coin should, in its opinion, be referred to that body, though the desirability of establishing such a coinage is very strongly advised by it.

A reciprocity treaty would be willingly formed, if a basis for it could be found. The chief product of the Republic, and one which might have most use in the United States, is wool, hardly any of which now seeks the ports of our country. But on this point we were not able to offer any suggestion looking toward the abolition of the duty upon it in our country. When our country chooses to admit wool free of duty from South American countries, then, with all of them, save possibly Chile, reciprocity treaties advantageous to both sides can be negotiated. Until then the matter need not be discussed.

On the leading question-how can better relations, friendly and commercial, between the countries be established?-both minister and President returned the same answer-create frequent steamship communication. They expatiated at some length on its benefits to both lands. They saw in it a better acquaintance on their own part, their leading men, of the habits and policy of our country, and with that would come greater desire to rival us in the institutions of freedom. They believed their own people would take on broader and more generous views when they had once come into close business contact with our own; and then, too, they felt that our people would bring to the Argentine Republic capital and progressive ideas when they should be informed of the great future lying before it. They claimed that if the United States thoroughly comprehended the vastness of undeveloped wealth of this region, its money and sons would flow hither in streams of profit to each side. Hence it was that the Argentine Government stood ready, at any time the United States should foster the scheme, to unite with it on just terms in establishing_frequent and cheap steam communication between the respective countries. The earnestness of both the President and minister on this question was very manifest.

The kindness with which they spoke of the few American merchants and business men in their midst, and their appreciation of their high character and the good name they had given our country was very cordial. Such men they were glad to welcome to this country. The President repeatedly thanked our Government for sending this special message of good will, and he expressed a regret, which we heartily felt also, that our time was so limited.

It will be a great mistake if the Argentine Republic is not attached to the United States by far stronger ties than exist to-day. The way to it is easy and open.

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EXPORTS AND IMPORTS OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC-Continued.

Imports from 1876 to 1883-Continued.

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EXPORTS AND IMPORTS OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC-Continued.

Quantities and values of the exports from the United States to the Argentine

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Of Buenos Ayres, merchant, and consul at Buenos Ayres of Denmark, Russia, and Norway and

Sweden.J

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The present condition of steam communication with the United States is highly unsatisfactory.

No direct connection exists between this river and ports of the States, except through occasional steamers of the Lamport & Holt Line, and these are mainly adapted for cargo, while passengers bound for the United States have to embark by way of Europe or take a steamer hence to Rio Janeiro, and from there proceed in one of the three steamers belonging to the United States and Brazil Mail Company, or by the Royal Mail steamers lately established between Rio and New York. While thus the communication from here to the States is imperfect, there is not a single steamer leaving that country for this river. Passengers bound to South America have to go by the way of Europe or to avail themselves of the monthly steamers dispatched by the United States and Brazil Company to Rio.

As for cargo it is impossible to have it shipped in the States for these ports, except by sailing vessels or via Europe, as the heavy charges in Rio make transshipment in that port out of the question. This state of things is the more to be regretted considering the enormous increase of trade during the last years and the general development of this country, and the importance assumed by the steam navigation with Europe.

Up to the year 1862 no direct line of steamers united this country with any European ports, and communication with steamers was entertained only by the

aid of two monthly boats, one of the Royal Mail Company from Southampton to Rio, with auxiliary steamers running between that port and Buenos Ayres, and one of the French, then Messageries Impériale, and to-day Messageries Maritimes. In 1862 these two companies started almost simultaneously one direct steamer from Southampton and Bordeaux to this river, while Messrs. Lamport & Holt organized a service of cargo boats. Since then several French, English, and Italian companies were started, but it is only from the year 1871 that a considerable increase has been noticed in our steam communication.

At present as many as 30 regular mail steamers arrive every month, while double this number visit our port during the busy seasons.

This increase has been effected without any effort or pecuniary sacrifice on the part of the Government, and has only obeyed the steady development of the country's commerce and the inducement held out as a field for immigration from Europe.

It must be observed that some of the European governments have assisted shipowners by granting subsidies to certain steam lines, but these subventions have been of a general nature and not exclusively for this trade. The Royal Mail Steam Company and the Pacific Steam Navigation Company have been allowed an annual sum for carrying the mails. Messrs. Lamport & Holt have a contract with the Belgian Government, of which the principal conditions are as follow in the printed contract inclosed.

The French steamers enjoy the benefits of the bounty law, put into force in 1881, granting a premium to all French steam and sailing vessels, which is fixed at 1.50 francs for every 1,000 miles done for new vessels on leaving the building yard, which premium decreases annually as follows: 0.075 franc for wooden vessels; 0.075 franc for mixed vessels (wood and iron); 0.05 franc for iron vessels. Besides this, a special allowance is granted to the steamers of the Messageries Maritimes of 100,000 francs for each steamer each trip running to the river Platte (twice a month). Besides this allowance no other subsidy is given either to English, German, or Italian lines.

The Argentine Government, understanding the importance of a line of steamers between this country and the United States, and anxious to contribute to its establishment, issued a decree so far back as 1865 granting a subsidy of $20,000 a year to the first line that would solve the problem. This sum not being found adequate to meet the expenses of a regular line of steamers, at least until the traffic between the two countries had assumed larger proportions, the law remained a dead letter. During the administration of General Sarmiento the matter was again taken into consideration without its leading to any results, and it was only during the last year of the presidency of Dr. Avellaneda that an American company volunteered to make a contract to establish monthly steamers against a subsidy of $100,000 a year. The executive power sent a message to congress to this effect, but it was never discussed; the actual President, General Roca, renewed its request to congress, which is still in abeyance.

One of the reasons why congressmen are rather lukewarm on the subject, in spite of the utility of such a line, is the fact that the Government of the United States shows so little interest in the matter, refusing to give any subsidy, and even imposing protectional duties on our principal staple article-wool-to an extent to render its export to the States impossible. There is no doubt that the Argentine Government would be willing to grant a subsidy of about $100,000 yearly for a period of, say, ten years, if the American Government granted at least a similar amount, and my impression is that as long as the trade between the two countries is limited to its present state, and until the frequent intercourse has fostered fresh relations, a sum of, say, $20,000 per round trip for each steamer would be required to guarantee owners against loss.

The Brazilian Government having granted a subvention to an American line some years ago, a regular service is now kept up between New York and Rio, with intermediate Brazilian ports.

It might be convenient for any new company starting to amalgamate its interests with this line, especially if a bimonthly service were organized.

In connection with the above it might be expedient to consider the convenience of availing of the law, recently issued by the Mexican Government, granting a considerable yearly subvention for a line of steamers between Vera Cruz and Buenos Ayres, and as the Government of that Republic does not make it a condition that the steamers shall carry the Mexican flag, an American line might easily obtain this contract.

In this way a perfect communication between the principal countries of North and South America might be established on a sound and safe basis of equal interest from political as well as from a commercial point of view. The ports to call at might be New York, New Orleans, Vera Cruz, Habana, St. Thomas, Bahia, Per

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nambuco, Rio, Montevideo. and Buenos Ayres, with transshipment to Paraguay and Bolivia. It would be a matter of special study to fix the ports of call of each of the two monthly steamers as well as the itinerary of the homeward voyage in order to profit of the exports from this river to Brazil, Habana, and the States as from the Brazilian ports.

This subject is of vital importance, especially to the Government of the United States, as a regular line of steamers more than anything else is calculated to increase North American influence and supremacy in these countries, making them independent of the European markets.

Steam navigation between the River Plate and Europe.

Name of company and where

from.

ENGLISH.

Royal Mail Steamship Company (2 steamers per month)-from Southampton, Antwerp, Brazil. Allan Line (9 steamers per year from October to March)-from Antwerp and Havre.

Lamport & Holt (6 to 10 steamers per month)from Liverpool, Antwerp, and Brazil.

Archimedes
Buffon
Delambre.

Names of steamers and tonnage.

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1,892 Mondego..

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1,811

Minho.

1,491

Elbe.

1,773

1,874 Neva

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1,597

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1,869

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1,493

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Waldensian.

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