No. 223.
Mr. Read
to Mr. Evarts.
Athens, December 18, 1877. (Received January 7, 1878.)
Sir: Referring to my No. 323, I have the honor to state that the local authorities were recently requested by the government to ascertain the quantity of corn and flour existing in Athens and the Piræus. This inquiry was made on the 6th of December, and it was found that on that day, in the above-mentioned cities, there were 292,210 okes, or 803,577 pounds of flour, and 1,942,992 okes, or 5,343,228 pounds of whole wheat. The daily consumption of the above breadstuff (which is the only one used in this city and the Piræus) is 124,625 okes, or 67,719 pounds, worth upon an average 4 cents a pound, making a total of $2,708 expended for bread in the above-mentioned cities every twenty-four hours.
The inquiry was considered essential, in order to know what supplies would be required for the towns in case of war.
I have, &c.,