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agents to study the needs and wants of the people, to offer their goods of various kinds, to state and compare prices and makes of similar foreign goods. Orders should be executed through commission merchants in order to compete with the European credit system.

A constant advantage to the American manufacturer is the difference of about 50 per cent in freight charges, the European average being about 25 cents per cubic foot and the American (per steamer from New York) about 12 cents.

In cotton goods prices have been steadily increasing in recent years. Cotton domestic, blue checks, denims, and prints promise to drive out the corresponding English articles. In percale prints, 30 inches, we have not succeeded in competing with the French (Mulhouse) percales, because the latter are believed to be superior in pattern and finish. Garner batistes, 30 inches, however, are generally regarded as equal to any produced in England or France. The local demand comprises several conditions, the most important of which are price, dimension, pattern, and packing. The prices of goods of constant weights vary with the price of cotton. In some parts of Haiti the consumers can not understand these fluctuations-why, for instance, a yard of the same cotton cloth should cost more this year than last. The obliging European manufacturer overcomes this difficulty. At the order of a merchant he will produce for the same price an article of the same pattern and width as that made when cotton was cheaper. He is careful, however, to introduce into the fabric inferior Egyptian and Indian raw material to reduce the weight. Though one would not desire to appear even to suggest competition in practices of this character, still this deception must be reported as a commercial fact. I am reliably informed that it is practised to a great extent. The Haitian customs laws make it more profitable for an importer to buy at certain widths. The European manufacturers make any widths required. I am informed that American manufacturers are reluctant to depart from the dimensions usual in their home markets. The Haitian retailers prefer short pieces, and the European manu

facturer cuts his cloth for the market.

The American manufac

turers, I am informed, prefer not to depart from their rule of making 40 and 50 yards to the piece, and importers here are often compelled to have these cut, before shipping from New York, into 10 and 20 ell pieces for the Haitian retailers. Those European manufacturers who sell through commission men give them long credits, while New York commission men must buy for cash or on short

terms.

Thread and worsted, spool and machine thread, twine, cordage, etc., are principally from England and Germany. Prices are slightly lower in Europe, but the difference is scarcely appreciable, in view of the cheaper freights and greater convenience in buying from New York. It seems that a proper effort to open this branch of trade has not been made by American houses.

Carriages, wagons, etc., come chiefly from the United States. New York and New Haven are the principal competitors.

Drugs, chemicals, etc., come principally from the United States. Food and food products come almost entirely from the United States through New York and Boston. The exceptions are European specialties in canned and preserved goods.

Furniture and articles of housekeeping come almost entirely from the United States.

Hardware, cutlery, etc., come from the United States and Germany. The American trade is rapidly supplanting that of Germany. This fact is due to the thorough manner in which the market has been studied by our representatives of hardware houses; for, though the American goods are regarded as superior, they are dearer. The market has been well gone over, and we are doing well in competition.

The linen from the north of Ireland and the hemp and jute of England and Scotland are preferred, as being cheaper and more suitable to the market than the corresponding American products.

Attempts to introduce American shoes have not succeeded.

France may be said to control the market. Expert opinions differ as to the cause. Some say that the French produce a better shoe than the Americans for less money; others say that the Americans have not studied the market.

Saddles and harness are principally English. They are much preferred over the American articles, and they are declared to be both better and cheaper.

Rubber goods are not generally used, and the excessive heat is unfavorable to the development of a market. The few rubber shoes and mackintoshes used come from New York.

Liquors of all kinds, except beer and native rum, come from France. Hamburg attempted to build up a trade in inferior imitations, but was not successful. Beer comes from France, England, the United States, and Germany. It is generally of an inferior quality. There seems to be an opportunity for American producers to build up a large trade in a good article, well preserved to resist the influences of this climate without resort to too heavy fortification by alcohol.

Sugar machinery is used comparatively little in this country. Liverpool produces cheaper small mills, but those from the United States are often chosen for the convenience in shipment and delivery.

In saws, bolts, files, etc., the American goods are rapidly supplanting all others.

Musical instruments generally come from France. In later years Vienna has competed. Paris pianos appears to be the most popular. An upright of this make, I am informed, costs in Paris 1,800 francs ($347.40), less 30 per cent discount; and a grand, 3,000 francs ($579), less the same discount. They are regarded. here as good instruments.

Paints and painters' utensils and supplies come from the United States.

Illuminating oils come from the United States. They comprise a large and growing trade.

Table glass of the better grades comes
Lamp glass comes chiefly

No window glass is sold, from France; it is said to be cheaper. from the United States.

Stationery, writing, bill, and note papers are said to be dearer in the United States, but are generally perferred. Cheap papers come from Paris.

Watches and clocks formerly came from Paris. During the past five years, however, the sale of American articles has been steadily increasing. The cheap nickel makes were the pioneers; now the fine grades of American clocks and watches are in demand.

Silver-plated ware comes from the United States. Solid silverware comes from Paris.

Wearing apparel of all kinds comes from Paris, with slight competition from Germany.

Though lamps are not mentioned in the Department circular, it ought to be said that the demand for lamps offers a thriving trade to American manufacturers. In the cheap grades we now sell a considerable number, but the more valuable grades are said to be cheaper and more artistic in Paris. My personal observation is that the burners made in the United States are superior; and, if American invention has solved the problem of giying a more steady and brilliant light with the same expenditure of oil, the matters of price and decorative design ought not to present serious difficulties. The decorative work now done in the United States ought, it seems to me, to become popular if properly introduced into Haiti. This branch of trade is important, because this country is estimated to have 800,000 inhabitants, and the streets and houses are lighted exclusively by lamps and candles. JOHN S. DURHAM, Consul-General.

PORT AU PRINCE.

APPENDIX D.

Weights and Measures.

The old weights of Haiti are about 8 per cent heavier than the English. The French metric system is also made use of. The old weights and measures are: Of length, the aune =46.77 inches, the pied (12.78 inches) of 12 pouces or 144 lignes; of weight, the quintal (107.92 pounds) of 100 livres of 16 ounces each; the French livre of 500 grammes (1.1 pounds) is the one most in use; of capacity, the gallon (4 quarts, liquid), and the pinte (0.95 quart, liquid).

The toise of 6 pieds and pas of 3% pieds are also used, and the carreau de terre, the measure of land=119.6 square yards.

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