Directory_and_Chronicle_1870 — Page 669

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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.

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