No. 55.
Mr. Putnam
to Mr. Evarts.
Brussels, July 27, 1880. (Received August 9.)
Sir: Referring to dispatch No. 3, I have the honor to state that I at once conferred with Mr. Wilson, our consul, and for a time acting chargé d’affaires. He read me his consular dispatch of April 8 last, No. 141, also his consular dispatch No. 123, of date May 27. * * * lad-dressed myself at once to the authorities requesting further copies, but have since learned that the edition was exhausted. There have been some changes in detail, not in substance, which will undoubtedly be published in a new edition. I shall keep myself informed on the subject and report anything further of interest that comes to my knowledge. I send a catalogue I obtained to-day at the exposition, showing the nationality of the exhibitors.
I can but confirm Mr. Consul Wilson’s dispatch No. 123, fully concurring with him in his general statements and suggestions.
This vast building, admirably adapted to the uses of such an exposition, having been rented for a term of years (eighteen, I think), the exposition must become institutional in the country, and a well known center of samples of the great industries of the world.
While Belgium, as the national semi-centennial exposition now in full operation reveals, has made creditable progress in many of the arts, and discovers great skill in many of the branches of mechanics, I cannot but feel with Mr. Wilson that it would compensate them should some of our manufacturers place here specimens of their wares and productions. I thought at first that our agricultural machinery would be highly appreciated, but I am inclined to think that, owing to the very small land-holdings, and the great abundance of common labor here, they are not a necessity. Belgium is an infinite series of little agricultural gardens, so to say, rather than large farms, and it does not seem well adapted to the use of that machinery which so dominates the agriculture of our farms and prairies.
I notice what Mr. Wilson speaks of in his dispatch, that American exhibits come from England, and while labeled as products of the [Page 72] United States, are exhibited by English houses. I noticed our grass-mowers, made in Philadelphia but exhibited by an English house.
China is here in large force with the most exquisite workmanship in house furniture, as well as in articles of ornament and luxury.
I shall endeavor to further inform myself on the general subject, and shall advise the department of anything of interest that comes to my knowledge.
I have, &c.,