CARDENAS.

Statement showing the quantities of sugar and molasses exported from Cardenas, and the ports or countries where shipped from, January 1 to December 24, 1863.

Comparative statement showing the nationality, number, and tonnage of the vessels arrived at the port of Cardenas during the years ended December 31, 1860, 1861, 1862, and to September 1, 1863.

SAGUA LA GRANDE-J. H. HERNCE, Consular Agent.

Comparative statement showing the exports of sugar and molasses from the port of Sagua la Grande during the years 1860, 1861, and 1862, and to June 30, 1863.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, 1863..

47, 571 hhds. of sugar.... 548 boxes of sugar.. 14, 833 hhds. of molasses.

Comparative statement showing the nationality, number, and tonnage of the vessels arrived at the port of Sagua La Grande during the years ended December 31, 1860, 1861, 1862, and to September 25, 1863.

I have the honor to transmit to you my quarterly returns ending on the 30th ultimo, being the third for the present year. Nothing worthy of your attention has occurred within this consulate since the date of my last quarterly report, save what I have intermediately communicated.

The product of the great staple of this part of the island, (sugar and mo

lasses,) as indicated by the shipments, and the best other information I have been enabled to procure, does not seem to have quite equalled the crop of last year, but the falling off is not so considerable as to have affected materially the ruling price, which has been nearly the same for both of the last years. My annual report shall contain prices, &c., &c., &c.

*

I regret that I am unable to give a more encouraging account of the rate of exchange. It still continues most vexatiously against us. * # I am pleased to be able to report to you that no loss of any kind has been sustained by a single American vessel trading to or from this port, by rebel cruisers or otherwise, since my entry upon the duties of this consulate. I can add also, with sincere satisfaction, that such are the friendly relations subsisting between all the Spanish officials within this consulate and myself, that I have not the slightest fear of my ability to obtain ample redress for any wrong or injury that might be done to any of our countrymen, either by design or inadvertence.

OCTOBER 9, 1863.

*

The products of this consulate, as you are already well advised, more from general information than from any of the meagre reports furnished by me, are sugar, molasses, coffee in no large amounts, some rum, honey, wax, tobacco, dried hides. to which may be added mahogany and cedar lumber, the latter produced in considerable amounts in a jurisdiction of this consulate called San Espiritu, of which Zaza is the port.

The probable total amount of all exports from this consulate for the present year, comprising the three jurisdictions of Trinidad, of Cienfuegos, and of San Espiritu, will be about equal to that of last year, or approximating to the sum of $6,645,000. That sum or less amount may be arrived at from the following tabular statements furnished me by intelligent, reliable merchants, to wit: From Trinidad 40,000 hogsheads of muscovado sugar, 12,000 boxes of clayed sugar, 25,000 hogsheads of molasses, 300 tierces of honey, 500 hogsheads of rum, some coffee, lumber, &c., &c. From Cienfuegos the proximate amount is about 65,000 hogsheads of sugar, 5,000 boxes of clayed sugar, 500 hogsheads of rum, and about 30,000 hogsheads of molasses.

Item 2d. There has been no change or improvement since my last annual report, in my direct communication between any portion of this consulate and the United States.

The coast steamers, as heretofore, run from Santiago de Cuba, touching at all the important points on the south side of the island, but stop at Batabano, from whence there is railway that runs to Havana.

Item 3d. There is no depreciation in the value of silver coin of the United States since the date of my last report.

There is but little of our gold coin in circulation here; and although at but a nominal discount, it is not readily taken.

Item 4th. This consulate is without banks of any kind, and we consequently have no paper circulating medium.

Item 5th. Monetary exchanges in Trinidad are regulated almost exclusively by the rates that obtain in Havana, for which reason I deem it most prudent to refer you to the report of the consul general at that place.

Item 6th. The transactions with the merchants and planters are without alteration since the date of my last report of the 1st of October, 1862.

The absence of banks and regular brokers in this out of the way portion of the world renders discounts for cash irregular and fluctuating, and it vacillates at from 1 to 4 per cent. per month.

8th. The usual commission charged by merchants on exports is 2 per cent. 9th. Freights from the interior to Casilda, the sea-port of Trinidad, continue

as last year, at $1 75 per hundred, a distance of from 15 to 20 miles. ** I am unable to report any material change in any commercial treaty, or other provision affecting trade, since the date of my last report.

MANILLA-C. GRISWOLD, Consul.

Comparative statement showing the total exports of sugar and hemp from Manilla from January 1 to November 6, of the years 1862 and 1863.

Every vessel which enters and leaves in ballast pays 183 cents per ton, Spanish. Every vessel which enters with cargo and leaves with same pays 22 cents per ton, Spanish. Every vessel which loads or discharges cargo pays 343 cents per ton, Spanish. Every vessel which loads and discharges cargo pays 37 cents per ton, Spanish.

Tonnage is estimated from register as follows: British and American 100 tons equals 123 tons Spanish.

If the vessel manifests a single package as cargo she has to pay in conformity

with above.

Specie is not considered cargo.

There are extra charges for vessels which come into the river.

Importations generally 14 per cent. in foreign and 7 to 9 in Spanish bottoms. Exports generally 3 per cent., hemp 2 per cent., rice 44, cigars and cordage free. Per Spanish vessel, rice free. Hemp and sugar 1 per cent.

Quotations for imports are duty-paid. Sales are made at three months' credit, and exports are purchased for cash.

The picul is 137 pounds Spanish, or 140 pounds English. The quintal, 100 pounds, is 102 pounds English, nearly.

The Cuban measure of rice weighs about 123 pounds, and of paddy about 85 pounds.

By a regulation of the Spanish custom-house, vessels bound to this port must have their manifests certified by the Spanish consul or vice-consul at the port from which they sail.

TENERIFFE ISLANDS-WILLIAM H. DABNEY, Consul.

DECEMBER 31, 1863.

There having been no arrivals or departures of American vessels at this port during the two quarters ending on this day, I have no returns to

make.

H. Ex. Doc. 41-16