CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES. | 181

It has occurred to me such knowledge might prove serviceable to
our country, and that in.transmitting it (if suecessful) I would be ful-
filling in part the duties of the mission. oe

Without any intention to censure directly or impliedly any of the
ministers to the Central states heretofore, I beg leave to say that an
inspection of their correspondence indicates their attention was not |
much given to such subjects.

You are aware that in these countries there are no statistical tables
collected or published by the governments, and that they have the mis-
fortune not to have newspapers or scientific societies which make it a
business to collect facts relating to the public life of the state.

In order to make the effort to obtain the information, it appears
(from my construction of your instruction No. 8,) to be necessary to
obtain your permission to correspond officially on these subjects with
the several governments of Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, and Nica-
ragua, and also with that of Costa Rica, if relations should be restored
with that state. : | 7

I beg to present an illustration of a beneficial effect that might accrue
from obtaining the kind of information alluded to. I am convinced,
from unofficial sources, the export and import duties in most, if not all,
of these states are so levied as to be prejudicial to our commerce. It
may be this has resulted, ina measure, from the advice of some of our
commercial rivals. | | | .

If the official data could be obtained, it seems it ought not to be |
difficult to point out to these governments how unjustly they discrimi-
nate against the commerce of the United States.

They might be shown how heavy are the duties on those articles we
can undoubtedly furnish more cheaply than other nations, such as
flour, bacon, lard, petroleum-oils, patent medicines; canned fish, oysters,
imeats, and fruits; California wines and liquors, and other articles I
cannot at the moment recall. oe

A knowledge of the tariff-laws of the several Central American states
would seem to be useful, if not quite necessary, in the negotiation of
future treaties. It is hoped you will allow me to present another illus-
tration of the necessity of official correspondence in connection with
the subject of commerce. There being no consuls at the seats of
government of Honduras and Nicaragua, annual official statements of
exports and imports cannot be obtained without incurring an obligation
to the courtesy of some private citizen, which, in my judgment, ought
_ always to be avoided by a minister if possible. —

It seems desirable that our Government should be well informed in
regard to the supply of agricultural and natural products of these
countries, which we import and consume or manufacture largely, par-
_ ticularly coffee, cochineal, indigo, India rubber, sarsaparilla, and sugar
or muscovado. |

_A knowledge of the laws that affect our citizens residing here or
who may. choose to come here would seem to be worthy of acquisition.

I regret to trouble you with this long dispatch, but am induced to do |
so from my anxiety to infringe in no manner the rules of the Department,
and ge conform strictly to the interpretation put upon your instruction
No. 81. : |

I have, &c., :
GEO. WILLIAMSON.