fall back in its usual stagnation, and from the 27th of December up to this day nothing of importance has been done.

This whole business of December was very unnatural, and in the same time, while such great quantities of silk goods were exported, the price of raw silk lowered over 30 per cent. Only since yesterday higher quotations arrived from Italy, and the French kilogramme (about two American pounds) was sold four francs higher at once.

F. HILGARD, Vice-Consul.

APRIL 7, 1862.

Enclosed I take the liberty of forwarding the quarterly statement of goods sent on consignment to the United States during the first quarter of 1862, the papers of which passed this office, together with the amount of fees received on the same during that time.

The amount and quality of goods sent to the United States upon consignment during the past quarter, the invoices of which passed this office, are as follows:

I have the honor to transmit herewith the statement of goods sent to the United States, mostly on consignment, during the quarter ending the 30th ultimo, the invoices of which passed this office, together with a statement of the fees received for the verification of the said invoices and for other consular services during the same period.

ITALIAN STATES.

SARDINIA.

GENOA.-D. H. WHEELER, Consul.

FEBRUARY 16, 1862.

I have the honor to forward herewith a statement showing the arrivals and departures of vessels at this port for the quarter embraced between September 30 and December 31, 1861, stated in brief as follows: Arrivals of vessels of all classes, 38; departures, 27; sold in this port, 5; remaining in port, 6: total of tonnage, 21,823 tons. During the corresponding quarter of the previous year the arrivals were only 13, departures 6.

The very large increase is traceable to the influence of the rebellion in the south. The exports from that section of the Union having ceased, the vessels formerly engaged in the trade between southern ports and Europe have taken up the carrying trade between England and the Mediterranean. During the corresponding quarter of the previous year cotton was received here in American vessels to the amount of 3,213 bales, of the value of $213,290. None has been so received during the same quarter this year. The principal American export during this year from the United States has been tobacco, of which there bave been received in our bottoms 1,698 hogsheads, valued at $1,054,766. During the same quarter the previous year there were received 3,914 hogsheads, valued at $1,022,412.

It will be seen from the report enclosed that the cargoes were principally from England, consisting of coke, coals, railroad and other iron, our vessels, being of heavier tonnage than those usually engaged in this trade, having been able to compete successfully with the ships of rival nations. It is proper, however, to add that during the last three months more or less difficulty has been experienced in obtaining cargoes, from the presence of southern privateers in English waters.

As the exports of Genoa are very slight, vessels are obliged to seek return cargoes elsewhere, and usually proceed in ballast to Sicily for salt or fruits.

NOVEMBER 10, 1862.

It is made my duty, by section 153 of the consular instructions, to report on the 30th of September upon the trade of Genoa for the year preceding that date. At that time I forwarded abstracts showing, in full, our own commerce in our own vessels with Genoa for the year then closing. I then hoped, by delaying for a short time the general trade report, to obtain such information as would enable me to make such a report as the instructions contemplate. Statements were furnished me by parties able to make them, which are yet delayed; and although I have spent as much time as I could spare from the duties of the office and some money, no facts relating to the commerce of Genoa for the last year are yet obtained. Weary of waiting for facts, I give such information as I have obtained, and promise better things for the next year.

I have obtained some statements regarding the commerce of Genoa for the year 1860, the latest period of which any trade statistics are yet published. And it may be added, that these statistics are published not for commercial, but for political purposes; that is, in order to show by comparative statements the blessings of the new order of things.

As no statements of the commerce of Genoa for 1860 were ever furnished by this consulate, I deem it not improper to condense and furnish such facts as seem to me of special importance.

In 1860 the whole number of vessels arrived in Genoa was one thousand and eighty-two, (1,082,) of an average tonnage of one hundred and eighty (180) tons. There were fifteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-one (15,921) Genoese mariners of all classes. The following is a statement of the arrivals and departures of vessels for that year:

The very large number of arrivals and departures of national vessels is due to the fact that the large majority of these vessels were small barks engaged in the coasting trade. The steamers were also mostly coasting steamers.

The total value of importations for the year 1860 was.
Value of exportations...

$55, 429,000 22, 624, 346

32,804, 654

As a comparative statement, it may be added that for 1859 the

From this it appears that the imports increased in 1860, over 1859, $4,084,300, and the exports fell off $8,579,304.

The following table shows the countries with whom this trade was carried on:

The following statement shows the imports and exports of staple articles, by a classification of the countries which principally supplied or received them:

It will be seen from the above that Genoa distributed a large portion of the goods she received from western countries to other Italian ports. This is par ticularly the case with cotton and woollen goods, hides and leather. It is impossible to distinguish the amount of articles manufactured in this kingdom. The rice and corn exported were the produce of Piedmont and Lombardy. A large portion of the wool exported was the produce of the province of Ġenoa. The average price of wheat for 1860 was one dollar and thirty-five cents per bushel; of cotton, thirteen cents per pound; of wool, twenty one cents; olive oil, thirteen cents; unrefined sugars, seven cents; coffee, thirteen cents.

DIRECT TRADE.

I think the direct trade between the United States and Genoa might be profitably increased. Our agricultural implements are generally superior in quality and cheaper in price than the English tools introduced, wherever agriculture is being improved. We must eventually supply this market with breadstuffs. At present, however, Russia undersells us.

Petroleum is being imported in considerable quantities. Thus far it has been generally transhipped in English ports. It should be imported direct. One cargo, at least, is now on the way from New York.