Statement showing the exports from Rio Hacha for the year ending December, 1882-Cont'd.

The maritime movement of the port of Rio Hacha from January 1 to December 31, 1883, was as follows: Number of ships entered the port, 260, with 20,152 tons register; number of ships sailed, 260, with 20,220 tons register.

VENEZUELA.

Report by Consul Bird, of Laguayra, on the commerce of Venezuela for the fiscal year 1882.

The difficulty of procuring accurate statistics of the commerce of Venezuela has been hitherto insurmountable, owing to the lack of any systematic compilation of such information. After much careful investigation the following returns have been collated, which, though not as full as might be desired, are nevertheless drawn from official sources, and being compared with other statistics at this consulate, are found to be, in the main, correct and reliable.

These returns of imports and exports are calculated for the fiscal year begun July 1, 1881, and ended June 30, 1882:

The following table exhibits the receipts of cacao at the port of Laguayra for the past five years:

The above figures are in sacks of one fanega, or 113 pounds, each. The subjoined accurate statement of exports by ports is respectfully submitted:

Exports from Venezuela for fiscal year ending June 30, 1882.

Exports from Venezuela for fiscal year ending June 30, 1882-Continued.

To this amount should be added the sum of $200,854.71, the value of 7,812 head of live stock exported and not classed by ports, all of which were exported to the adjacent colonies.

Although it appears from the foregoing statistics that the balance of trade between Venezuela and the United States is somewhat against the latter, yet it will also be seen that our trade is in a very healthy condition, and that though we buy more than any other nation we also sell more. Besides it must not be forgotten that much of the coffee exported hence to New York is never landed there, but is reshipped to European ports. The advantage of direct steam communication, through a line of American steamships between Venezuela and the United States, has made this country easily accessible to our merchants and manufacturers; and the growing interest manifested in all classes of our goods will warrant the statement that the era has come for the establishment of a large and permanent trade between the two nations. But in view of complaints that are sometimes made, this trade, to be healthy and prosperous, must be conducted upon mutually honest and honorable business principles, and each must render a fair quid pro quo in every transaction. With fair dealing it may be confidently hoped that our superior goods will ultimately supplant the cheap European wares in this market.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

Laguayra, June 25, 1883.

W. S. BIRD, Consul.

MARACAIBO.

Report by Consul Plumacher on the commerce and industries of Maracaibo for the calendar year 1882.

I beg to submit the following remarks upon commercial matters and the general condition of trade in this consular district for the year 1882.

The steady decline in the price of coffee in foreign markets, it having ultimately reached a figure absolutely below the cost of producing and shipping, has caused the most widespread embarrassment and financial distress.

Notwithstanding the continuous losses entailed by transactions in this product, the Maracaibo houses have not the option of withdrawal, as, in order not to lose all they have advanced in money and goods to interior merchants and planters, they are obliged to take their payment in coffee, and dispose of it at as little sacrifice as may be possible.

The crops have been extraordinarily abundant, the exports from this port alone having amounted in 1882 to about 4,000,000 pounds more than in 1881, although the expressed invoice values are below or barely equal to those of the less quantity shipped in the previous year.

The condition of the coffee trade seems hopeless, and it is predicted that in 1883 comparatively little will be harvested, as the discouragement is complete. Many planters are destroying their trees to make room for other industries, and the problem of opening up some other source of agricultural wealth is demanding the serious attention of the press and people.

The depreciated value of coffee in Europe and the United States, although, no doubt, an immense drawback to the prosperity of this