No. 53.
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish.
(Petropolis) Rio de Janeiro, December 20, 1871.
(Received January 23, 1872.)
Sir: I had hoped to be able, by this packet, to transmit to the Department certain statistical information which I have sought from the consulates and other sources, in relation to the movement of commerce and navigation between the United States and all ports in Brazil, under all flags, so as to show the condition of that commerce and movement in American as compared with foreign vessels. This I have already done in my No. 18, in respect to the commercial movement to and from this port with the United States.
I have not yet, however, received all the dates, nor reports from all consulates, upon which, after they shall be received, much labor would have to be expended before they would be reduced into precisely the shape I intend to give them, so as to place before you, at a glance, the condition of those interests and movements.
I hope to be able to do this by the next packet, and I think, from what I have already ascertained, that the tables will show a continued reduction of the consumption in Brazil of productions of the United States, or, at any rate, no increase therein, while we largely increase our consumption of Brazilian coffee and India rubber. Upon these two articles, chiefly destined to the United States, the government levies an export duty, on the former of 14 per cent., and on the latter of 22 per cent, ad valorem.
Their answer to any proposal for reduction of these extravagant exactions is, that not being able to impose any direct tax whatever on lands or property, incomes or produce, they can only subject the cultivated land of the country to what is, in effect, a tax, by this imposition on its produce at the place of export. And as coffee and rubber are always sold subject to the payment of that tax by the purchaser, (who exports them,) the exaction is not felt, though really paid by the producer.
It is safe to say that there is very little, in my opinion no, hope of inducing them to reduce the export duties on these articles, but it may possibly be somewhat different with the import dues charged on articles from the United States., Indeed, next month, there will be a partial reduction of certain extra duties imposed during the late war with Paraguay, and in consequence of the depreciation of their currency to meet the interest on their heavy debt.
[Page 90]In compliance with the observations in your No. 21, I will endeavor at suitable opportunities to learn at least what hope or probability there may be of inducing them to meet the liberality of their best customer. But, as I have already suggested, we must look to our own legislation, providing bounty or assistance, in some shape, to American shipping, and a continuance of at least the present duty on Brazilian coffee, for the restoration of equal share in the commercial movement between this country and our own.
I have, &c.,