Office of the Historian

Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward

No. 34.]
Legation of the United States, San Salvador, November 6, 1867.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 12, October 3d, 1867, kindly acceding to my request for leave to make a trip to Panama for the benefit of my health. I am much better at present, and may not find it necessary to avail myself of this leave.

There is nothing of especial importance to communicate.

The reports from the custom-houses for the fiscal year, which closed on the 30th of September last, have been received at the proper department here. They exhibit a gratifying increase in the trade and commerce of the country compared with the preceding year, as follows:

Exports for 1866–’67 $2,737,244 34
“ “ 1865–’66 2,434,801 50
Increase in 1867 302,442 84
Imports for 1866–’67 $1,856,389 90
“ “ 1865–’66 1,644,344 51
Increase in 1867 212,045 39

The business at the three ports of entry of the republic was as follows:

Ports. Exports. Imports.
La Union $1,010,469 50 $657,217 31
La Libertad 1,159,534 90 953,770 14
Acajulta 499,239 94 245,402 45
Frontiers of Guatemala and Honduras 70,000 00
Total 2,737,244 34 1,856,389 90

The principal articles of export were as follows:

[Page 794]
Indigo $1,905,790 00
Coffee 242,073 40
Sugar 165,653 32
Cotton 80,394 67
Rice $43,770 55
Tobacco 34,498 90
Balsam 27,675 63
Rubber 12,062 83
Hides 16,556 99
Silver ores 80,196 00
Other articles 128,572 05
2,737,244 24

These reports do not designate the countries to which the exports were sent, and as we have no consular officers except at La Union, I am not able now to; say what portion went to the United States

The same remark applies to the imports, which are generalized as “merchandise and machinery from United States, Europe and South America.” The exportation of coffee and sugar, without doubt, will be greatly increased the current year. The crop of indigo now being brought to market, it is estimated will exceed that of last year a half million of dollars.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

A. S. WILLIAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.