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378
MANILA.
their trade, even with its late increase, may excite surprise. This, however, is entirely in consequence of the wretched policy of the Spanish government, which persevered until very recently in excluding all foreign ships from the ports of the Philippines, confining the trade between them and Mexico and South America to a single ship!—even ships and settlers from China were excluded.
"Provisions," says
La Perouse, "of all kinds are in the greatest abundance here, and extremely cheap; but clothing, European hardware, and furniture bear an excessively high price. The want of competition, together with prohibitions and restraints of every kind laid on commerce, render the productions and merchandise of India and China at least as dear as in Europe!" Happily, however, this miserable policy, the effects of which have been admirably depicted by M. de la Perouse, has been materially modified of late years. The events of the revolutionary war destroyed for ever the old colonial system of Spain; and the ships of all nations are now freely admitted into Manila and the other ports in the Philippines. An unprecedented stimulus has in conse quence been given to all sorts of industry; and its progress will no doubt become more rapid, according as a wider experience and acquaintance with foreigners make the natives better aware of the advantages of commerce and industry, and disabuse. them of the prejudices of which they have been so long the slaves.
Comparative Export of Hemp and Sugar to Great Britain, United States, Europe, and Australia.
1858.
1859.
SUGAR.
Great Britain.......Piculs 315,768
United States........
Continent of Europe
38,912
1860.
350,190 392,496 422,495 16,030 109,526 211,262 78,161 103,708 17,252
47,205
4,154
1861.
1862.
1863.
601,641
430,170
54,751
18,594
13,098
Total Piculs 349,053 498,628 646,963
504,810 | 723,943
498,019
HEMP.
Great Britain ....................Piculs|
United States.....
Continent of Europe
105,633 136,072 102,039 288,953 6,650
192,662
192,662
183,660
"
Total Piculs
401,236
284.657 4,6-14
425,973 396,238
281,477 2,723
160,978
160,970
221,804
972
972
4,325
354,612
354,612
409,789
1864.
1865.
1866.
1867.
1868.
1869.
SUGAR.
Great Britain........ Piculs
669,6-58
United States.....
101,537
334.596 68,6-40
396,235
656,705
261,428
72,090
166,515
376,141
12
Continent of Europe
"
6,869 15,026
23,895
9,900
***
Australia.....
3,060
""
Total Piculs
778,074
418,262
651,873
493,240
833,120
640,629*
HEMP.
Great Britain
Piculs
226,258
United States.....
249,106
79,316 289,444
95.085
118.425
250,245
**
252,540
50,374 219,041
Continent of Europe
1,134
3,342
11,230
200
Australia...........
7,290
"
Total Piculs 476,498 | 372,102
370,596 35,560 371,165
276,705**
* These Totals only extend to November 24th.
Digitized by
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