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Outward bound.

Statement showing the coasting trade of Santander from September 30, 1862, to September 30, 1863.

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From Sept. 30, 1862, to Sept. 30, 1861, Increase. Decrease. From Sept. 30, 1862, to Sept. 30, 1861, Increase. Decrease. Sept. 30, 1863. to Sept. 30, 1862.

Sept. 30, 1863.

to Sept. 30, 1862.

Inward bound.

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Approximate statement of exports to the United States from the port of Almeria for the quarter ended June 30, 1863.

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I have the honor to forward to you the following annual report upon the trade of the port of Bilbao for the period embraced between the first day of January, 1862, and the 31st of December. 1862, as gathered from the custom-house returns. The trade with the United States is very limited, consisting, for the time embraced in this report, in importations of tobacco. The returns for previous years show importations of sugar also from the United States. No exportations to the United States appear in the tabular statement below. Recently, however, a considerable quantity of licorice paste has been shipped to New York. The completion of the railway from this city to Tudela will so cheapen the transportation of wool, madder, licorice paste, and other products of the interior, that hereafter, it is believed, there will be a considerable increase in the exports, some of which will seek a market in the United States. This railway was open for traffic the beginning of the present month to Tudela, where it connects with the railroad from that place to Barcelona, already in exploration.

The bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean are thus brought into union, and the grand scheme of Charles the Fifth of uniting these waters is realized thereby. The inauguration of this great and costly enterprise, and which is a marvel of engineering skill, in carrying the track over the precipitous mountains of the Biscayan provinces, will have the effect, it is believed, of making the port of Bilbao one of the most important in Spain.

The North of Spain railroad, which also runs through these provinces, is nearly finished, there remaining yet to complete only the sections between San Sebastian and Irun on the frontiers of France, which will be opened this year; and that between Besancon and Olazagostia, a distance of 24 miles in the midst of the mountains, where the heavy character of the work will require several months for its completion.

This grand enterprise, when finished, brings the capitals of France and Spain within thirty-four hours of each other, and effectually "abolishes the Pyrenees," two centuries after Louis the Fourteenth announced such a result as the triumph of his diplomacy.

The tables below, exhibiting the imports and exports from this port for a

series of years, show a remarkable commercial progress. The amount of imports, as given below, are exclusive of railway materials, which, for the past year, are estimated on good authority to amount to not less than seven millions of dollars.

As the chief articles of export are wheat and flour, the quantities of which fluctuate greatly, depending upon the crop raised, I give the amounts of these articles in a separate table, the better to show the general export trade.

Comparative tabular statement of the exports from Bilbao, during the years 1858 to 1862, inclusive.

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This table shows that the exports have nearly trebled in five years. Tabular statement showing the description and value of exports from Bilbao, together with the countries where made, during the year ended December 31, 1862.

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Articles whose exportation is prohibited

Cork, in the rough bark, from the province of Gerona; barks which are used for tanning; cotton, linen, and hemp rags.

The only change which has occurred since my last report is in the article of alcohol, which was then not allowed to be exported.

Comparative tabular statement showing the value of imports at Bilbao from the years 1858 to 1862, inclusive.

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This table exhibits a steady increase, the importations having nearly trebled in five years. Jute ceased to be imported in 1862, in consequence of heavy duties which went into effect in August of that year. In 1861 the value of the importation amounted to $500,000.

These returns do not include railway materials, which, as I have before remarked, are estimated to amount to $7,000,000 alone for the past year.

Statement exhibiting the description and value of the imports at Bilbao together with the country whence derived, for the year 1862.

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Statement showing the comparative value of the imports from each country respectively during the year 1862.

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The only article imported from the United States for the year 1862 was tobacco. I am not able to ascertain the amount exactly, but it may be estimated with approximate accuracy at fifty thousand dollars.

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The returns of the year previous show importations from the United States sugar and tobacco.

The following statement contains a list of articles prohibited from importation: Cotton fabrics up to thirty-nine threads to the glass. (At the time of last report prohibited up to twenty-five threads.) Materials for wearing apparel containing more than seven-eighths cotton; handkerchiefs, white and colored, up to nineteen threads; batiste muslin to fourteen threads; fixtures of wool, linen or silk, mixed with more than one-third cotton.

Comparative statement showing the number of vessels entered and cleared at the port of Bilbao during the years ended December 31, 1861 and 1862, together with their tonnage.

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ships.

No. of ships of all Ton'ge. No. of Ton'ge. No. of ships of all Ton'ge. No. of Ton'ge. nations.

nations.

ships.

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The heavy tariff imposed upon the exportation of iron ore, which abounds in this consular district, was entirely removed on the 1st of January, 1863, so that the great majority of vessels which have hitherto been alleged to leave in ballast will now be able to attain return freights of this article, which will, doubtless, exert a beneficial effect upon British and French shipping.

Table showing the number of steamships which run between Bilbao and the following ports:

London...
Liverpool.
Antwerp.
Santander.

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