Trade and Manufactures.—From its extensive produce, Buenos Ayres will ever command attention in a mercantile point of view.
The exports consist of ox hides of all descriptions, horse hides, horse hair, wool, tallow, nutria skins, horns, chinchilla skins, salted beef, and silver in hard dollars and bars.
The quantity of European goods annually imported is very great: I am surprised how they find vent for them. The cargoes brought from Liverpool, of manufactured goods, of Manchester, Glasgow, &c. are of considerable value, often from 70 to 80, and £100,000.
The following is a list of square-rigged merchant vessels that entered the port of Buenos Ayres in the years 1821, 1822, 1823, and 1824:—
| In 1821. | In 1822. | In 1823. | In 1824. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British[24] | 128 | 183 | 113 | 110 |
| American | 42 | 75 | 80 | [25]143 |
| French | 19 | 21 | 24 | 21 |
| Swedish | 7 | 11 | 6 | 14 |
| Sardinian | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Danish | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| Dutch | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Under the Portuguese, Brazilian, and Buenos Ayrean flags, brigs and small craft are daily arriving and sailing from and to Rio Janeiro, and all parts of the Brazils, Patagonia, and trading in the River Plate, and up the rivers of the interior.
A number of American vessels are sold, as well as broken up, in Buenos Ayres, which, assuming the flag of the country, trade with Rio Janeiro, Rio Grande, Patagonia, &c. Many of them are under the command of Englishmen and North Americans, who, at no great distance of time will carry the Buenos Ayrean flag to every part of the world. This country must for some time rely upon foreigners for their shipping. The population are not maritimely inclined.
Several persons gain a livelihood by leaving notices, or avisos, of vessels arriving, and their cargoes.