Directory_and_Chronicle_1868 — Page 644

GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL,

361

But the exports have increased very greatly since 1850. Thus, the exports of sugar to England and Australia only amounted in 1856 to 626,075 piculs, the whole exports of the year having exceeded 50,000 tons. The export of hemp during the same year amounted to 21,986 tons, of which by far the largest portion went to the United States.

Port Charge.- Cn foreign vessels, 2rs. per ton, and one-half on such as neither load nor unload cargo, besides fees amounting from $5 to $15, according to the size of vessels. Import Duties.--Spanish commodities, by Spanish vessels, pay 3 per cent, ad valorem, and 8 by foreign. Foreign commodities, by foreign vessel, 14 per cent. and 7 by Spanish; the general being 8 per cent. under national flag from Singapore, and 9 from China. Spirits and strong liquors, produce of Spain, by Spanish vessels, 10 per cent., and 25 by foreign; if they be foreign produce, by Spanish vessels, 30 per cent. and 60 by foreign. Cider and beer, produce of Spain, Spanish vessels, 3 per cent., and 10 by foreign; if they be foreign produce, by Spanish vessels 20, and 23 foreign. All Spanish wines, by national vessels, 3 per cent, and 8 by foreign. Foreign wines, by Spanish vessels, 40 per cent. and 50 by foreign, except champagne, which pays, by Spanish vessels, 7 per cent. and 14 by foreign. Cotton twist, grey, black, blue, and purple-knives, or bolos, such as the natives use-ready made clothes, boots, shoes, preserved fraits, confectionery and vinegar, by Spanish vessels, 20 per cent. and 30 by foreign. British and other foreign cotton and silk manufactures, made in imitation of natives cloths, chiefly stripes or checks of black, blue, and purple colors, Madras and Bengal grey, white, and printed cottons, towels, table-napkins, and table-cloths, 15 per cont. by Spanish vessels and 25 by foreigu. Biche de mer, rattans, diamonds, tortoiseshell, mother-o'-pearl shell, and birds nests, 1 per cent. by Spanish vessels, and 2 by foreign. Machinery of all sorts for the promotion of the industry of the country, cotton twist of red, rose, yellow, and green colours, gold and silver, coined or uncoined, plants, and seeds, free. Tropical productions similar to those of the Philippines, also arrack and gunpowder, are prohibited. Opium is only admitted to be deposited for re-exportation. Swords, fowling-pieces, muskets, pistols, and warlike stores may be deposited for re-export, and cannot be introduced without the special licence of government; but cannon and dress swords are admitted.

Export Duties.-Commodities and produce of every description to Spain, by national vessels, pay 1 per cent. and 2 by foreign. Elsewhere, 1 by Spanish vessels, and 3 by foreign. Hemp, by national vessels to whatever destination, 1 per cent. and 2 by foreign. Rice, by Spanish vessels, free, and 44 per cent. by foreign. Manufactured tobacco, and cordage of Manila hemp, free by all flags. Gold dust, gold in bars, and silver in bars, free.

Entrepot Duties.-One per cent. ad ralorem, and 1 per cent. at the exportation, with 1 per cent. more if the commodities should be kept there more than twelve months, two years being the longest time allowed for it.

Port and Custom-house Regulations.- Vessels newly arrived are not to communicate with the shore until having been visited by the port captain's boat; and within thirty hours after this visit, a manifest must be presented, stating packages, marks, and numbers, but the vessel may retain her cargo ten days in transit without stating whether for consumption or deposit, and without being obliged to land or incurring any charge on the same, except gunpowder, pocket pistols, and forbidden arms.

Terme for Soles and Purchases.--Sales and purchases made, duty paid, at three to five months' credit, occasionally at 24 per cent. discount, for prompt payment, and exports are bought for cash.

The principal currency of Manila consists of Spanish dollars, of 8 reals and 96 grains, but South American dollars are also current. The weights in use are the Spanish Ib., which is nearly 2 per cent. heavier than the English; the arroba=25} English lbs. nearly; the quintal=102 lbs. ; and the picul of 5 arrobas or 14 cwt. English. The coyan is a measure for rice, &c., varying from 96 to 135 lbs.

Considering the great fertility and varied productions of the Philippines, and their peculiarly favourable situation for carrying on commerce, the limited extent of their trade, even with its late increase, may excite surprise. This, however, is entirely a 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

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