| Imports | £6,453,817 |
| Exports | 4,605,942 |
| Total | £11,059,759 |
The real value of the aggregate trade for 1866, including the other ports of the Republic, cannot be estimated at less than £16,000,000, and has continued since to augment.
The declared value of produce and manufactures exported from the United Kingdom to the Republic in 1867 has amounted to £2,838,037, taking in this respect the lead of all the other South American States, Brazil only excepted.
The export of wool, which is the staple article, from the port of Buenos Ayres alone was as follows:—
| Season 1863-64 | 77,343,200 lbs. |
| Season 1864-65 | 104,688,000 lbs. |
| Season 1865-66 | 120,362,400 lbs. |
and the same progressive increase is observable in the other productions of the country.
Referring to Brazil, every Parisian luxury is found in the cities, Rio de Janeiro being full of French shops, and the Rua d'Ouvidor, one of its principal streets, is almost exclusively French. Of course many important trades and industrial occupations are carried on, and in particular the manufacture of carriages, which equal in elegance and solidity those of any country in Europe. Iron foundries, iron ship-building, and other useful establishments also exist; but there are few cotton, woollen, or silk manufactories. Therefore the commerce of Brazil is almost entirely one of exchange.
As regards the River Plate, a large trade is maintained with France, Belgium, and other parts of Europe, where River Plate produce is extensively consumed. It is only necessary to look at the manner in which the ladies of Monte Video and Buenos Ayres dress to form an idea of the extent of French imports to those places. There are no manufactories in the River Plate beyond such as have been specified in regard to Brazil, carriage making being equally conspicuous.
It is a feature in the Board of Trade Returns that Paraguay, which has of late years caused such a noise in the world, makes no figure whatever. Now of course it is under blockade, but previous to that event the figures were almost nil. Had the ruler of that country used his energies to produce and export 5,000 bales of cotton annually, for which article the land and climate are admirably adapted, what would have been the state and condition of Paraguay at the present moment? It is not requisite to enlarge on such a topic.
Whilst adverting to the commerce of these countries, and to their internal wealth, their mineral products must not be left out of sight, and in this respect Brazil possesses a great superiority from the steady working of her gold and diamond mines, which have always been a source of considerable revenue, even though they are probably not yet very perfectly explored. To do this it requires a large outlay of money and the enterprise of private individuals or public companies. Formerly the mines were worked exclusively for the Crown.