^ \T 1^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.25 ■u IM |22 w m ■■■ ^ U£ 112.0 1.4 1.6 6" % .»* a1' ^ ^ ?^ /A V Hwtograiiiic Sciences Corporalion 23 WfST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14.«S0 (716) 172-4503 '^ z CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historicai IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques T«chnical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniquas at bibliographiqurs to Tha instituta has attamptad to obtain tha bast original copy availabia for filming. 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COMPILED FROM NOTES COLLECTED ON HIS RECENT VISIT TO EUBOF E 1\ QUEBEC: PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE " MORNINO CHRONICLE,'' FOOT OF MOUNTAIN HILL. 1861. Tra insi Rej use :,j;--iv;v,:;'*i^ ■ .M-V--. V To Supervisor of Gcllkrs' OmcK, Quebec, Sept. 10, 1861. Sir, — I have the honor herewith to transmit my Report on the Lumber Trade, as far as I was enabled to ascertain on my visit to Europe, under your instructions, during the past winter. I have prepared and annexed to this Report the undermentioned Statistical Tables, which, I trust, will be found useful as a reference on the several subjects to which they relate : — " List of Freights on the 31st May, 1861." "General Statement of Wood Goods imported into the Unit- " ed Kingdom." " Prices of Lumber Free on Board at the different Ports on "the Baltic." " Comparative Statement of the increase in the price of Bal- "tic Timber at the Port of Shipment in proportion to " the reduction of the duties in Great Britain." " Importation of Lumber into France," " Import of Timber into Antwerp." " Statement of Port Charges, &c." I have the honor to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, WILLIAM QUINN, Supervisor of CfuUers. To the Honorable P. M. Vankoughnet, Commissioner of Crown Lands, &c., &c., &c,, Quebec. PT" ' <- ■ * REI>ORT or Tini SUPERVISOR OE CULLERS. SuPKRVisoR OF Cullers' Office, Quebec, July, 1861. To the Honorable P. M. Vankouohnet, Commissioner of Crown LandSy ^c, ^c. Sir, — In conformity with your letter of the 28th February last, directing me to proceed to Europe, for certain purposes as therein set forth, I immedi- ately proceeded to England, and visited the principal ports in Great Britain and Ireland, and also the principal maritime cities in France, Belgium, Holland, and the German Confederation, where the import of lumber is carried on, as directed by said letter ; and nov/ beg leave to Report : — That I arrived in Liverpool on the 14th March, 1861. Upon opening the cases I took with me at the examining warehouse, when we came to that contain- ing the model for illustrating the difference in measurement, I told the officers its use ; they expressed a wish that i would explain it to them, which I did to their satisfaction, proving conclusively and convincingly that both the modes practised in Liverpool are erroneous, at least as far as the cubic contents are concerned, that is to say, the extreme caliper measure as followed by the customs, and the quarter girth as practised by the merchants* Extreme caliper may be reasonable enough for the purpose of establishing the freight, as a piece of timber having two, three or more inches of wane on each corner, will occupy as much space in a ship's hold as if proud-edged, while it must be admitted [that it does not contain the same quantity. Liverpool being the great emporium for Canadian timber, and the fallacious [mode of string measure being that in use, I prolonged my stay at that port to the list April, During that time I had frequent opportunities of convincing all parties [desirous of having explanations as to the erroneousness of string measurement, as ipplied to wany or octagonaily shaped timber. Having placed mysell in com- mnieation with the Chamber of Commerce, I presented the box of specimens of :!anadian woods as instructed. There being no Botanical Society in Liverpool, I availed myself ^f the ad /ice of some of the leading citizens, and presented the other box itended for this port to the Free and Public Museum, with which are jing incorporated the Derby Museum, the Architects' Association, and the Loyal Institution. A meeting of the latter named body took place on the 18th Lpril, to which I was invited. I attended, and replied to some questions of a 1 general nature touching Canada. But few, if any, of the members of the Royal Institution, or of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, are connected with the lumber trade. So far as these public bodies were concerned, no oj)|)<)rtunity was adbrded me of receiving or imparting information worthy of note. I was pres- ent at 8(!veral meetings of merchants, brokers, and timber measurers, both at tiie South Knd and at the Canada Docks, also in private officers, and, on every occasion, I clearly proved, to the satisfaction of all present, that string meas- ure, as applied to wany timber, is not only manifestly erroneous in principle but not even uniform in error — its incorrectness varying with every variation in the extent of the wane. 1 explained that the quarter girth, taken as the side of the Sipiare, will not give the true contents of any figure other than a perfect square, and that any figure deviating from the square, the difference between the actual contents and tliut found by the quartor girth will be in proportion to such devia- tion. If a|)proaching towards the circular form, the quarter girth will give less than the actual contents, and if of an oblong shape, the square of the quarter girth will give more than the actual contents, and, consequently, the quarter girth is so vague and uncertain, that no calculation can be based on it without a previous knowledge of tht shape of the figure the quarter girth of which is given. I illustrated this practically by referring to the measurement of lath- wood. In Canada, lathwood is sold by the cord, of 8 feet long by 4 feot high. In Liverpool, it is sold by the fathom, of 6 feet long by 6 feet high. The same length of string, 24 ftet, will girth eitlier the Canadian cord or the Liverpool fathom, and yet it is manifest that it requires nine cords to make eight fathoms. How then I asked is a person to know whether it is a cord or a fathom he is to receive if he be merely told the quarter girth is 6 feet ? Here, and afterwards in many other places, I exhibited the illustrative mo- del, designed by me for explaining the difference in the measurement, and have much satisfaction in reporting that all, without exception, to whom I explained it, admitted the correctness of its proof, and admired the simplicity of its construction. In the British ports, where the string measure is in use, some of the leading members of the trade have had similar ones constructed, by which to explain the errors of their present system to their customers, among whom I may mention Edward Chaloner, Esq., Liverpool, Allan Gilraour, Esq., of Glasgow, and the Messrs. Wade, of Hull. When proving the absurdity of string measure, I expressed my surprise that the trade in England should ever have adopted a mode so imperfect for taking the dimensions. I re- marked that it could hardly be expected that the people of Canada would follow a system they knew to be so erroneous while they have this simple method of their own by which to arrive at the true contents of the tim- ber. It can scarcely be supposed that gentlemen so reasonable as the mer- chants of Liverpoo' are known to be will long continue to pract.se a mode so vague and unsatisfactory now that they are aware of the means of asceriaining the true contents. A most extraordinary rule which obtains in Ireland, as well as in England, was brought under my notice respecting the measurement of ma- tI hogany, which is as follows : — In Dublin, overy iivo feet Qiieen'M caliper measure counts only for three to the purchaser. In Brisiol, every five i'eet snch measure (Queen's caliper) counts four to purchaser; whih; in Livorpool three feet Queen's Caliper counts two feet to the purchaser, and diHercnt allowances obtain in other ports — Dublin and Bristol being the two exlrt'inos. This prac- tice was cited to me when in Liverpool as an argument in I'uvor of string' mea- sure, which may be regarded as one absurdity qiiotfil lo justify apothev. It appeared to me strange why all th(!He dirt'crcnl riile?^, inodes, smd cus- toms should prevail in the different ports for timber only, while the geni-r- ality of all other commodities are governed by one uniform system of v/eights or measures all ovei the kingdom. In the course of my communications with Mr. Chalonor, of Liverpool, un extensive limber merchant and broker, I mentioned to him that f was instruef- ed by the Honorable the Commissioner of Crown Lands to procure spciciiiiens of all the foreign timber imported into the United Kingdom, and asked liini where and how I should be most likely to obtain thein. Mr. C. introdneed me to Mr. Bride, an extensive dealer in fancy woods. This gentleman con- sented to get together as many specimens as he possibly (jould, but at tlie same time he did not appear to bj anxious to undertake this businesy. At the ex- piration of nearly three months, Mr. Bride's foreman, with the assistance of one of his clerks, managed to procure, after much trouble and considerable expense, about seventy diiFerent kinds, — for all which Mr. Bride declined com- pensation. Even the parties thus occupied would not accept any remunera- tion for their trouble or time. Thes^^ specimens are nowinmy ollice in Quebec. While speaking of these samples i think it right also lo remark Ihat Mr. Strang (of the firm of Messrs. Gilmour, Rankin, Strang & Co.), of London, is getting up a complete set for me, which he purposes sending out in the fall by one of their ships. Mr. Strang informed me before 1 left that he had already [)rocured thirty-lour. ; Glasgow being the next most important place where string measure is used, ,i I proceeded there on the 1st April. Called on Allan Gilmour, Esq., who noli- I fied the principal men in the trade on the Clyde to meet at his office for the pur- I pose of affording me an opportunity of explaining the different modes of mea- suring wany timber. I found no difficulty in convincing ti /se gentlemen of the fallacy of string measure, and the correctness of the manner in which we take the dimensions in Canada. They were very reasonable, and seemed inclined, from ray explanations, to introduce the system adopted by the Canadian Government. Mr. Gilmour, previously knowing the string to be erroneous, had been doing everything in his power to establish caliper measure. I have reason to believe he would have succeeded had he been supported by the iQuebec merchants. Having presented the box of specimens to the Chamber ^of Commerce, several gentlemen in the lumber trade expressed a desire to have I sets for their own private use, and requested me to send twelve, addressed lo ^Messrs. Edmiston & Mitchell, Glasgow, who would remit the amount of cost ^ and charges of the same. The sets are now being prepared. I visited Port Glasgow and Greenocn.. Was told the stocks of lumber were unu«^ually small, and that if the ordinary consumption were going on, there would scarcely be sufficient to last until the new lumber would arrive. A sale of timber took place at Port Glasgow on the 2d April. St. John2 White Pine, very fair qudlit>, 24 inch average, sold for 2s. Qd. per foot ; some Que- bec, same size, very good, was offered, one lot of w/iich was sold for 2s. 4{d. ; the rest was withdrawn, and would not be sold under the price obtain- ed for St. Johns' timber. There was scarcely any foreign timber in the Clyde then, and not much imported at any time. The a' e rage freight from the Baltic ports to the Clyde is lb«. to 18a. per load. The next port I have to report upon is Aberdeen. I called upon Messrs. Donaldson & Rose, who are pretty largely engaged in the trade there, from whom I received the following information : — They stated that, owing to the recent re- peal of the duty on foreign timber, inferior stuff from the Baltic will come into more general use than heretofore. That timber from Norway and Sweden (if the rubbish I sa\v can really be called timber) can be laid down in Aberdeen at 1«. per foot, and that the effects are already manifestly perceptible and likely to increase. Should the import of Canadian timber to this part of the kingdom not soon considerably diminish, it will be owing to a great reduction in the price a' which it can be laid down here at present, as the freight from the Baltic porta to Aberdeen is less than one-half that from the Canadian ports. There is no Centre here, where parties engaged in this trade frequent, and, by the advice of Messrs. Donaldson & Rose, I left ♦he box of specimens addressed to this place at the Mechanics' Institute. I arrived ir Edinburgh 7th April, and presented a box of specimens to Pro- fessor Balfout ^of that city). Secretary to the Botanical Society, by whom they were greatly admired, and he considered that Society highly complimented by the presentation. He intimated that there would be a meeting of the Society on the following Thursday, after which he would write officially acknowledg- ing the receipt of the same. I next visited Leitb, and had an interview with William Muir, Esq., timber merchant, with whom I made an appointment for the following day, in order that he might have some other members of the trade present I attended at the time specified, and met Mr. Muir, Mr. Thompson, and others eng'^ged in the lumber business. String being the mode by which Canadian timber is measured in Leith, I deemed it necessary that I should also satisfy these gentlemen of the fallacy of that system as applied to wany timber. I did so, and was well assisted by Mr. Muir and Mr. Smith, both of whom under- stand the calculations well. I am inclined to believe, that after the explanations given by me so far on this tour, there would not be any great difficulty in estab- lishing our method of taking the dimensions if the Quebec merchants would only hold out ; but most of them have been selling by string measure, and, of course, so long as they continue to do so, the purchaser will not adopt any other mode, which does not leave so large an overplus to the consumer. I would hope, howiwer, that our merchants will not have so much to contend with next wiuter as they have had during the past. At all events, the purchasers will not be able to hold out the same argument that the string is correct, as they have been fully couvinced to the contrary, and that the method adopted by us is correct. I deem it worthy ol remark that while at Leith I counted ten foreign vessels in that port discharging battens, the produce of Norway. These battens are chiefly eighteen feet and upwards in length, and six and a-half inches in breadth, by two and a-half inches thick. I observed that they are all sawn from small stuff, p" the pith is to be seen in almost every one of th^m, either in the centre or near the side. 1 am under the impression that the cutting of such young trees as these battens are made from must be very destructive to the forests of Norway ; and when it is taken into consideration the Immense quantities of these battens that are poured into the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium, I am led to be- lieve that the forests of Norway cannot long hold out to furnish the same supply. The prices at which these battens are sold in Leith are as follows : — 1st quality, ly"a'^' peJf lineal foot. 2nd « lj\d. « «« 3rd « lj%d. u u Presented the box of specimens addressed to this place to the Chamber of Commerce. The average prices of the following goods in Leith, in April, 1861, were as under: — Fir Timber : Riga Redwood, 19d. to 20d. 658. " " " Or Coal Ports, S 50s. « « " « to British Channel 65s. •' « «« Hudickswall to London or East Coast, 55s. " " « Soderhaum, Sandarne, Ljusne, or Nyhaum to London or East Coast 55s. " " « <' to Sunderland or Blytb, Timber and Deals, SOs. Od. " " to Grimsby, ^ 52a. 6d. and 6 per cent. " Or to Leith or Dundee, \ 55s. per std., in full. " to Jersey, 658. and 5 per cent, per std. Gefle to London or East Coast, 658. and 5 per cent. " " A Coal Port on East Coast, SOs. and perhaps 5 " " « Leith, Dundee or Grangemouth, 52s. 6d. to 55s. Od. " « Aberdeen or Dunbar, SSs. per std., July shipment. " English Channel, 60s. and 5 per cent, per std. Weaborg to London, Hull or Grimsby 60s. to 62s. 6d. and 5 per cent. <' " Granville, 100 fcs. " " " " Liboume, 70 to 80 std., Deals, 100 fcs. " " " Gamla Carlely to London or East Coast, 60s. " " *' Oristinestad to London, Hull or Grimsby 608. per std. in full. Frederickshaum to London or East Coast, 45b. od. per std. Wyborg to London, Hull or Grimsby, Deals, 45s. Od. '' « East Coast (small ships) 476. 6d. " " British Channel, ^ Q7s. 6d. to 608. Od. " OrtoTroro $ 578.6d. " N Li Rb Ha Sik Urn Kra Her Snr Cro Narl Bigii ; Liet 15 u i( (I ,d., in full. per aid. «( <( iC BhipmeQ*' per std. (( (C II JE16 Ob. Od. «« Or to Liverpool, J X18 Ob. Od. " <* <* or East Gcast, Timber and Sq. Sleepers, . . 17b. Od. per load. " Cliestcr, Timber, \ 208. Od. " Or to Dublin, Square Sleepers, > 208. Od. ■< Round Sleepers, ) 228. Od. " '< Torquay, Timber and Deals, 188. 6d. " " English Gtiannel, between Dover and Southampton,. IBs. 6d. <' " British Channel, Timber or Square Sleepers, lOs. Od. to 198. Gd. '* " Wexford, 200 loads Timber, 238. Od. to 24s. Od. " " Table Bay, or Algoa Bay, deals, X7 ISs Od. " Or Dantzic to Newport or CardiflF, Sq. SI. or Tim., i 238. Od. to 19d. Od. " Or Round Sleepers, at ) 20s. Od. « Pillan to Combwich Pill, Square Sleepers, i 2l8. Od. " Or to Drogheda, \ 228. Od. " Dantzic to London or East Coast, Timber or Sq Sleepers, . . 168. 6d. " " Sunderland or a Coal Port, Oak Timber, i 18s. Od. '* OrtoHuU, \ 208. Od. " " Shoreham, •\ , 18s. Od. " Or to Milford, Timber, > 198. Od. " Or to Bristol, ) 19s. Od. " " Or to Truro, Timber 198. Od. " Gothenburg to London or East Coast, Deals, 32>. 6d. to 3Ss. Od. per std. " Storeham, 70 Fathoms Firewood, ' " 458. Od. per fath. Dramman or Fredericlcstadt to London, Deals, 26s. Od. per dram std. I have also compile 1 a table, which I annex, shewing the prices of lum- ber in the principal purts of the Baliic at a given time, and a table of all lum- ber imported into the United Kingdom for the last four years, shev'ing the quan- tities imported each year, distinguishing the lumber imported from British North America from that imported from all other countries, and also shewing the quantities carried in British and foreign ships respectively, for the years 1857, 1858, and 1859. The Annual Report of the Trade and Navigation of the Unit- ed Kingdom, from which the import of lumber has been compiled, does not distinguish the quantities carried in British and foreign ships, rsepectively, for 1860 :— 1 \ PRICES OP SWEDISH TIMBER AND DEALS ON THE 20th MARCH, 1861, FREE ON QOTBKNBORe. Mixod. Planks, Deals, Baiiens and Boards. £ 8. d. Redwood, 3 X 11, 3 X 9, 4 X 9 & 2 X 9 per St. Ptg. std,, 8 15 O " 3x8, 3x7, 21 X 7&2Jx9, " " 7 15 O " 2) X 6, and undersizes, " » 7 5 « H X 9 4 8, li X 9, 8 & 7, & 1 X 9, 8, & 7, per St. Ptg. std ,. . . 6 5 O NORBKOPIIIG, GBFLE, SODEBHADU, LJDBNI, AMD PORTS OF SIUUAR PBOOTJCTION. Planks, Deals, Battens and Boards Redwood, 3 X 11, 3 X 9, 4 X 9 & 2 X 9 per St. Ptg. std. 7 10 « 3x8,3x7,2ix7&2ix9 " « 6 10 O " 21 X 6, and undersizes, « « 6 O O " 11 X 9 & 8, li X 9, 8 & 7, & 1 X 9, 8 & 7 per St. Ptg. std., .... 6 6 BOARD. W Thirds. m £ 8. d. m 7 10 m 6 10 ■w gjj^ 6 'mk 5 --cM Whi 6 10 ■^mm 5 10 :^m She 6 aB 4 1 17 BUNOBVALL, nBRNOBAND, lYIiARD, AXD POSTS Or SIMIIiAn rBOOCOTION. Planks, Dealt, Battent and Boardi. Redwood, 3 X 11, 3 X 9, 4 X & 2 X per St. Ptg. Bid., 7 " 3x8, 3x 7, 2i X 7 & 2i X " " C <* 21 X G, and undersides, " " 5 10 «« IJ x9, 8 & 7, U x9, 8 & 7, & 1 x9,8& 7pcr St. Ptg. 8td., .. 5 BKILLIITTaA, LULKA, i'lTKA, AND POBTI OF BIUILAR PRODUCTION. Planks, Deals, Battens and Boards. Redwood, 3 X 11, 3 X 9, 4 X 9 & 2 X per St. Pig. fltd., G 10 10 u (I (( (I !•«••• ••!«•«•• 10 10 10 10 £ 1 1 6 s. 8 6 10 d. per load. (I per 8td. 3x 8, 3 X 7, 2i X 7& 21 x9 21 X G. and underaizcs, 11 X 9, 8 & 7, li X 9, 8 & 7, & 1 X 9, 8 & 7 per St. Ptg. std.,, I BUNDSTALL, nUDIKBVAIiL, NTnAUN, NYLAND, ETO, Timber. Best Redwood Square Timber, 9 to 14 in. and upwards, 30 to 31 ft. av.. Best Redwood « 9 to 13 " " 2fi to 27 «' Red Deals or Battens, for stowage only HKILLGrTBA, LULIA, PI'"«A, ITC. Timber. Best Redwood Timber, 9 to 13 in. sq., averaging 20 to 22 faet per pc , . Under 9 inches and Whitewood, 5s. per load less. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE PRICES OP LUMBER, FREE ON BOARD, AT MEMEL. IN MARCH, 1861 :— ... - , f- Crown Fir Timber, 12 inches and upwards, \ 25 feet average, at « . . (I 1 1 per load. 11 First Midlg. 12 11 Second " 12 (1 11 Inferior " 12 )26 )27 25 708. Od. per load. 68s. Od. 64s. Od. 62s. 6d. «« ^ . 64s. Od. 623. 6d. 45s. Od. 90s. Od. per 50 run'g ft. 3s. 6d. per rnn'g foot. Oak Timber.— Crown, 100s. Od., Second quality, Wainscot Logs. — Crown, 5s. Gd., " Deals, 3 x \^i and 3x9 inch, averaging 17 to 18 feet. « • ■ Red. — Crswn, jC12 ; Seconds, £7 ; Thirds, £6 63. Od. ) per 750 run'g. White.— '^ 7 « eS3. " 6 5b. Od. ^ ^t., 3 x H* in- Staves. — Crown Pipe, £150, 1st Brack, 125 Os. Od. per 1200 pieces* PRICES AT DANTZIC IN SPRING OF 1861. Square Red Fir THmber. Best Middling, 25 feet average length BSs. Od. ' Good " 26 « « 473. Od. Common" 27 " " 42s. Od. The usual dimensions are 15 feet and upwards, averaging as above, by l\ to {^ inches square. Shorter average lengths might be supplied at a reduction in price, whereas greater lengths are scarce and considerably dearer. Small-sized Square Red Fir Timber. f to {^ inches square, 28 feet average length. Best Middling, « 45s. Od. Second " 36s. Od. Whitewood Square Timber. ^ to l^f inches square, 32 feet average length, .' &8s. Od. Sleeper Logs, Red Fir. ^ inches square, 8^^ feet long, 25b. Od. j[j " sll « i SlS.Od. o o M O Pi 18 r^, , Round Loga, 10 inch diameter, 8\\ feet long, coit 2i. 2d. per piece. Prices of other dimensioni of sleeper logs and sleepers vary from 308. to 34s Dtck Deal$, Dtah and Deal Endi, Red Fir. Deck Deals, Grown, 26 to 50 ft., av. 33 ft., 11 to 12 in. wide, 3 in. thick, Crown, Brack, « " Deals, « 12 to 24 " 18 Crown, Brack, " " Deal Ends, Crown, 6 to 11 " 8 Crown Brack, " ii (I (C « (I thick, 6 to 30 ft., aver. 17 ft., 10 to 12 in. wide,. . 178. II I II II II II II 1^3, Crown Brack, IJ " " " IB to 10 " 10s. 1 (I ( « II II II II II II II 67 66 2 86 18 61 30 47 25 13 1 1 1 1051 II II II II II II It II II II II u (I 4 167810 71a781 '.'111 I'vm" 2II1I6 In llrI'Mi Vedarls. Load*. In Foreign ' Vc««eln. I Compntcd I real value. Total. In Uritiab VeiieU. Iioada, Loada. 32ii!'il llil7^ 'iro Jl.)!;; ,10831 111673 708(13 2l7o;i0 71027 121.115 71532 28855't 2051.10 310815 213274 850005 .1800 1100 2UU13 0200 10.1134 2213 IMS 40'.il7 787 11480 j 3U4U 043 01307 8097 1980 228003 T 482795 143455- 9C2 41S,rO llbSlil 153UI2 1.11171 37.'>35 183 1125 100046 692 59SI08 2U32 ! 5098 971820 2770808 i 47U150 lilO Nil M19 2473 02IS03 35004 437 12 1700 fiOO 520158 514814 1947 S.%3 2768 3144 1S01300 5803 3134 8044 9840 1141959 3080280 Iior.di. In Foreign Veaacla. Tola , Computed ical valus. Iioadi. Load I. 203702 340107 03C0I7 109.1413 530340 266004 I lUU'flS I 131890 51202 i "IIO :iH Ci;;t78 1105 125.- .30 094121 I 51S350 ,! 375430 ' ■ 139112 jl 3291 !| 6077 i 1417.102 ;; 3202 :: 3187200 i: 128110 45/25 0779 11319 1002 2r.29 1 35,135 432 120194 200350 152094 £6559 125 803 297926 415 255104 780402 252075 ! 777808 158873 ! 488603 07878 1 200030 1187 ! 3620 8392 , 10741 733281 2194574 897 : 2774 2117007 142820 5061 !3 1273117 2260 J8 ■1^10135 J352Si9_ TS33i3 1533528 0.)21ll S4052A 1472007 4470703 634015 95683 219222S 344389 1453806 4853533 : 1388 34943 2890 I 4794 17058 i 23272 4119 I 30S54 850 I 2373 323948 40271 176918 20S312 22200 0983 2922 rsu S6A53 1003 20032 6056 17610 5378 "227 36015 8977 26124 41030 1835 30005 24 56 91 105236 137 111 32 3 777649 1160 1083 59579 I .55302 ISO 25 273 fatkoma. | Fathoma. 17 34 17 387 2378 17101 103 200o9^ Nuirlier. 34 715 2773 17217 169 ^157 68 I .140 2 2 42 223 32 03 114881 563 34 05 42 1 365656 00612 183050 200133 16073 855537 5674 346 668 205 15 08 2283 8874 55090 500 .«.87 FntUom!'. 29 348 735 6908 Fathoma. | Fathoma. 42 I 71 3 I 4 31 254 230 46 87 _44_ 641 4030 33C.6 131 2087£ Number. 60707 617 Number. 26748_ Number. 705 4260 22102 208 27365 Number. 142 8 150 3182 17041 88410 810 109462 6176525 S360 22647440 lOSOO 11076 3071 6184835 Fathoma. 700 1032 2403 229 40 4493 3140 Iiooda. «15 7M8 8 8M1 238 37 80 161 37 630 22673046 Fatboi .a. 3104 1300 3216 3146 50 30612 18 30 5 36655 24074 0948 34060 19533 378 17173020 3400 36003 1640 4912165 10800 3875 000 22035785 13200 28778 2.-i40 33605 20 43 i 76341 nECAPiTULATny Of the quantities of Timber and Wood Ooods imporicil iuto tha United Kingdom (Furniture and Fouey Wooda excepted) for the four years ending A\at Di'cimbcr, 1800, diatinguiahing that from British North America from nil othor couutric, r.nd sbcning the quantity briin|;lit in Britifh and Foreign shipping reapeetively : — Total loads in 1867, " 1868, '• 1850, " 1800, Wholo quon- 'ily importcil, (iuarf.tyfr'm tiuimtity fr'ini Quantity liriliaj Xortlii all other I carried by Aniciica. ! ciuntriea. Dritish *4htp3. Quantity car- ried by For- eign ships. I Loads. 2781053 2508061 2956480 2802284 Loads. liOi'da. Loads. 1398563 1160350 1301243 1204304 1332490 IS.'.Sin :il55332 1537920 1636458 1.146406 1307465 Loads, 1104005 1102106 1660015 fOOU Ot.Unndr'ds, 135 224 1802 64 108 113 43 38 13 2708 Loads. 7819 17203583 ! Fathoms. I ,1954 I 274 j 008 1 31.'>2 i 85 I 49 20740 Fathoms. 1358 1701 3370 363 63 22130.103 33673 Fathoms. 6313 3036 3938 3510 147 73589 1241 24(7 29020 13 '6 1340 3470 703 600 106 39398 70623 37836 10 306943 103 8! 33 Ot. llundr'ds. 03 IS 77 i 07 9 Ot.Hundr'da. r 3010 1859 122 65 08 9 2270 Loads. 4673 .1.101 19180 800 46714 353 297 76 4948 161 313 8047 467007 24743 Loads. 40i"fl' 14842 ^t.Hundr'di 184 329 2696 41.197 16126 31097 22279 1101 113060 1874 3804 36131 304 2i23 18270 34 166 3987 5 60 047 74 085 6 15 137 5637 4016 2617 063 668 43248 1420 103;i 40643 57 46 1460 73 4512 488 22J Loads. 4073 G4I34 36603 24096 890 20650 63 0211 311 36 062 545 368 1460 78 4733 89 7163 258558 8307 303368 4414 1752 10809 634 33406 666 56740 By these figures it will be seen that the proportion of L'jmbcr imported iuto the United Kicg- dom from British North America, during tbo last four yoarp. Was in 1357, 60 per font, of the whole. " 1368 48 " 1869 44 « " " " 1S60, 45 By this it appears that the average DECRr..vsK in the imports of Lumber frcm British Xorth America to the United Kingdom, during tho abovo period, is about 1 1 4 per cent., while the 1XCC8ASI on the import of Foreign Lumber is nearly 10 per cent. The proportion of he abovo Lumber, carried in British vessels. Was in tho year 1867 57 per cent, of the whole. 1368,., I860,., 1860,«'.. 53i 47 * The qaaotltlea are not given, but I 'lave no rtoubt that the proporlljn Is area Krialer In txror ot the Foreign ■lilp.owner tbau durtug tl ,■ 52 t i * 62 63 50 1 40 34 50 42 ! 37 6 51 1- Common ' i 45 1 1 39 1 41 i 37 43 ! :)7 ie - i i in Quebec. 1 1 f ' i t r Oak, > 14 20 i 18 18 IS ' 20 19 10 Elm, 36 f ■ ■•'•• ; [0 i 11 lOJ 13i 12 12 10 id "*. White Pi ' 61 7J' 61 1 i 7J 8 n 64 6i at Deals, Is 190 1 160 180 200 180 :J20 220 » " 2( 6 130 105 100 100 120 110 110 f // IS 1 also annex a statement, furnished me by Allan Gilmour, Esq., Glasgow, shewing the comparati on foreign timber in the year 1842, by which it will be seen that in proportion to the reduction in the increase in the price of Crown limber from the year 1838 to 1860 is over 44 per cent., while the averaj TIMBER DUTIES PER LOAD OF J FreviouB to October, 1842, . After 10th « 1842,. « iota " 1843,. " 6th April, 1847,. " 6th " 1848,. " 16th " 1851,. « March, I860,. Tl Foreign. 65i. 80i. 25a. 208. 158. 78.6(i l8. PRICES OF TIMBER AND 1836. 1838. 1840. 1841. 1842. 1 1843. 1 1844. 1845. 1846. i 1847. 18 Memel Timber and seals. Crown Timber, ") 8. d. 38 35 27 130 100 8. d. 37 33 26 150 100 a. d. 8. d. 40 36 26 160 106 s. d. 8. d. 1. d. 46 42 8. d.' 8. d. 1 8. d. 50 > 50 8 Best Middling, 37 26 160 100 45 2d " Crown Deals 146 105 160 160 170 120 170 110 170 107 6 2d " Dantzic. Best Middling 1 Good " Common " Quebec. Oak, 1 21 9 L 176 112 6 12 4 4 160 100 11 6 3i 200 183 4 16i 8 bi, 129 7 82 10 17 9i 6 140 90 14 7i 4i 126 82 10 i: Elm, 36 feet ^. White Pine. 60 feet. Deals, Ist, " 2d, 1 2S wing the comparative prices of Baltic and Canadian lumber, both before and since the repeal of the duties he reduction in the duties the lumber rose in value in tne ports of shipment in the Baltic. The average nt., while the average increase in the Canadian timber ftr the same period is only 17 per cent :— UTIES PER LOAD OP 60 CUBIC FEET. TIMBER. DEALS. Foreign. Colonial. Foreign. Colonial. 1 658. 10s. 55!). 10s. 30a. Is. 388. 2s. 25s. la. S2b. 2s. 20s. la. 20b. 2s. 16s. la, 20s. 2a. 78. 6d. Is. 10s. 28. la. Is. 28. 2s. IICES OF TIMBER AND DEALS. 15. 1846. I 1847. 1848. 16i 8 7 10 s. d. I a. d. 60 > 50 8. d. 1849. 1850. 1851. 8. d. 8. d. a. d. 1852. i 1853. 1854. 1855. I i 1866. 1867. 1858. 1359. 1860. 8. d. s. d. s. d. ' 8. d. 8. d. 8. d. '. s. d. s. d. s. d. 47 170 110 17 9i^ 6 140 90 170 107 6 47 , 47 48 64 70 67 6 i ■' 42 , 43 4J 65 62 6 I ; 40 60 50 170 00 14 7i 4} 126 82 10 13 7 a 120 80 14 7 41 120 94 8 170 ; 170 I 180 I 20( 230 I 260 '111 100 110 125 j Ui 170 1 200 68 63 56 270 210 67 6 62 6 50 250 160 .1 4;. 52 ' 62 53 50 , 14 14 I 14 9 4i' 6^1 6i I 37 ' 45 i 39 65 60 45 230 120 47 I 40 ' I I) 14 20 ! 18 41 I 37 34 18 65 67 6 60 . 62 50 52 6 205 230 130 , 135 50 51 42 6 43 37 I 3V , 10 ; 11 i 5j' 71- Oil lOij 7i' 18 ' 20 13i 12 8 7i 120 ; 135 i 150 160 I 190 80 96 95 107 6 130 105 160 , 180 100 200 , 100 ! 180 120 19 16 12 10 6i 6i .120 220 110 110 S I \ S5 I am decidedly of opinion that the only reason which can be given why our timber did not increase in value with the increased consumption in the United Kingdom in the same proportion as the Baltic timber has done is mainly due to overproduction, as none of the Baltic timber that I have seen can supply the place of our best white pine. We are therefore, merely de- nuding the country of our best timber, without benefitting any one. And as the Government is doing all in its power to put the trade on a proper footing if it succeed in preventing or curtailing the wholesale destruction of our forests it will have deserved well of its country, as any person seeing the consumption of timber now going on all over Europe, and which is rapidly increasing every year, must come to the conclusion that the day is not far distant when the prices of lumber of all kinds in this province must be double what they are at present. I have now to Report that I arrived in Paris on the evening of the 24th April, and on the following morning delivered to the Secretary of the British Embassy the letter of His Excellency the Governor General, addressed to His Excellency, Lord Cowley. I received a note from the Embassy in the evening, informing me that His Excellency would see me the next day. I attended at the hour specified. His Excellency was very desirous of affording me all the assistance in his power for the attainment of the object you had in view in sending me to France. He gave me a letter of a general nature, addressed to the British Consuls in France, directing them to render me their assistance in obtaining the information I required. His Excellency also gave me letters to the British Ministers at Berlin and Stockholm, I presented my letters of intro- duction from Monsieur le Baron Gauldr6e Boilleau, Consul of France in this Province, to Monsieur Herbet, Conseiller d'Etat charge de la Direction des Con- sulats et Affaires Commerciales au Miniature des Affaires Etrang^res, to Mon- sieur Basange, and to Monsieur Ducot. Those gentlemen took a lively interest in the object of my mission to France. Monsieur Herbet gave me letters of introduction to most of the Public Departments, and to parties having contracts with the Government, among whom were Monsieur Ozienne, charg6 de la Direction du Commerce Ext6rieur au Minist^re de I'Agriculture du Commerce et des Travaux Publics ; Monsieur Vicaire, Directeur G§n§ral des Eaux et Forets au Ministere des Finances ; Monsieur Behic, Directeur du Service Mari- time et des Messageries lmp6riales ; Monsieur De Lorme, Conseiller d'Etat, Directeur du Materiel au Ministere de la Marine et des Colonies ; Monsieur Gauthier, Conseiller d'Etat, Secretaire General au Ministere de la maison de PEmpereur ; and one to Monsieur Armand, who has a large lumber concern in Bordeaux. Monsieur Basange gave me a letter to (the famous free trader) Senator Michel Schevallier, and another to Monsieur Armand. I must here remark that I should consider myself wanting in courtesy if I did not inform you that the French Consul, Monsieur le Baron Gauldr§e Boilleau, put me, by his letters, into the hands of the proper men in France. Those letters ob- tained for me introduction to all the principal parties engaged in the lumber trade of that country — all of whom entered upon the discussion of the feasibility cf ! opening up a trade with Canada with a heartiness which I did not expect. After explaining to those gentlemen in Paris, to whom I had been introduced, the varied assortment of our timber, its average sizes and lengths, its nature and qualities, and the uses (as far as I was enabled to do so) for which it is best suited, I presented a set of specimens to Monsieur Behic, and another to Monsieur Armand. In the course of conversation with these gentlemen) to whom I had been introduced, especially those of them whose establish- ments are in the south of France, I found that they are earnestly looking round to see where they can best supply themselves with suitable lumber to carry on their business. They informed me that there is no doubt but they — at least, of the south — must now look to other countries in addition to those whence tiiey have been in the habit of getting their supplies. That lately the consumptiDn of timber has been so great, in consequence of the large num- ber of ships built and being built by France, Spain and Sardinia that the tim- ber in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea will soon be exhausted. And that even now the import of lumber into France is very large and must increase. I have annexed a table to these remarks shewing the quantities of lumber imported into France of late years (see page 26 i) ; but I regret to be unable to show the import of 1860, not having been able to obtain the necessary data when in that country. The railways are consuming large quantities of timber not only for their con- struction, but they are creating other branches of business which require lumber. There have been five new lines of railways approved of at the late sitting of the Legislature of France. Monsieur Behic and Monsieur Armand expressed a wish that I would visit the South and explain to the trade there about our timber, and gave me letters to their own men of business and other gentlemen in Bordeaux and Marseilles. \ visited Dieppe, Havre and Honfleur. There seems to be an opening at all these ports for a considerable trade. The chief part of the supplies to these places is brought from the Baltic and although the same cause that enables the Baltic merchant to undersell the Canadian merchant in many of the ports of the United Kingdom also exists there — namely the rate of freight — ^nevertheless there are many descriptions of lumber pro- duced in Canada which are not to be had in the north of Europe at all. Our yellow pine, long and large red pine, rock elm, tamarac, oak, ash, and se- veral other kinds of our timber are wanted. Deals, if cut in long lengths and to metrical measure would sell to pay. Our deals are cut too short, and besides, it intended for the French market, as stated above, they should all be cut to me- trical measure. Our 12 feet deals go for 11 French, but IS feet counts no more, as 13 does not come up to 12 French, and therefore counts but for 11 feet. I am happy to be enabled to state that several cargoes have been ordered for the above ports from Quebec during the present summer, and from the well known character and standing of the houses to whom those orders were ad- •4 I 8 s 26| I. M- n» o K tr ►? 5 S S- ^ OD ^ « ra po g^ ^ ®. 25. fi & S* & 5' 3J -P »«» p 3 B* o ?■ 3 I - S- N- pj H, - So S J? S "• ST *3 tS P 5 o Oi 5- o- g- (5 !-♦ ^ CO ^ J-. a g: P g :* f5 Q fo p »ja n o p o p 00 SK ^ o g B- s •^*a P r ? f B O B a. 5- n o S' g a a o M CO to ti; Oi OO o tn to -f M ^ 00 to d CO o> ^ O) T 05 00 ^* Krf c* e 9 n o w< o "5 r K H « I o w H H o o It* a H O / About £35. 643 64 opening np a trade with Canada with a heartineis which I did not expect. After explaining to those gentlemen in Paris, to whom I had been introduced, the varied assortment of our timber, its average sizes and lengths, its nature and qualities, and the uses (as far as I was enabled to do so) for which it is best suited, ) presented a set of specimens to Monsieur Behio, and another to Monsieur Armand. In the course of conversation with these gentlemen* to whom I had been introduced, especially those of them whose establish- ments are in the south of France, I found that they are earnestly looking round to see where they can best supply themselves with suitable lumber to carry on their business. They informed me that there is no doubt but they — at least of the south — must now look to other countries in addition to those whence they have been in the habit of getting their supplies. That lately the consumption of timber has been so great, in consequence of the large num- ber of ships built and being built by France, Spain and Sardinia that the tim- ber in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea will soon be exhausted. And that even now the import of lumber into France is very large and must increase. I have annexed a table to these remarks shewing the qtinntities of lumber imported into France of late years (see page 26^) ; but I regret to be unable to show the import of 1860, not having been able to obtain the necessary data when in that country. The railways are consuming large quantities of timber not only for their con- struction, but they are creating other branches of business which require lumber. There have been five new lines of railways approved of at the late sitting of the Legislature of France. Monsieur Behic and Monsieur Armand expressed a wish that I would visit the South and explain to the trade there about our timber, and gave me letters to their own men of business and other gentlemen in Bordeaux and Marseilles. \ visited Dieppe, Havre and Honfieur. There seems to be an opening at all these ports for a considerable trade. The chief part of the supplies to these places is brought from the Baltic and although the same cause that enables the Baltic merchant to undersell the Canadian merchant in many of the ports of the United Kingdom also exists there — namely the rate of freight— -nevertheless there are many descriptions of lumber pro- duced in Canada which are not to be had in the north of Europe at all. Our yellow pine, long and large red pine, rock elm, tamarac, oak, ash, and se- veral other kinds of our timber are wanted. Deals, if cut in long lengths and to metrical measure would sell to pay. Our deals are cut too short, and besides, il intended for the French market, as stated above, they should all be cut to me- trical measure. Our 12 feet deals go for 11 French, but 13 feet counts no more, as 13 does not come up to 12 French, and therefore counts but for 11 feet. I am happy to be enabled to state that several cargoes have been ordered for the above ports from Quebec during the present summer, and from the well known character and standing of the houses to whom those orders were ad- i t I J l - I I i" s g- " 2 CD -q b^ 5 'Z I' B- § K CO «9 03 0( CL to n P £• Or P 9 P ^^ M sr 8 en Ox P rt 00 CD P 8 ? <: 9 3? 1 . 5^ i ■ 2. 5 . fi 1 s A. 1 2 1 » ? 9 I 2 fe- 1 i "^ M. ll. M m 1 5 a. d a 3* 3 -» r 14 r 2 ? i »■ 1 ^ • , >r !!■ ! T n Ml u It 4» ■n 2 j5 ^, r !0 N^ o c> s » s> *• CB ■r lO •jo v< £ -r M •w. 3 i. 3 ^ : r ? ? 1 1 11 «. A ii S ■1 1 •. • 1- CO mm* K 9 1^ "• « to N» S to C> M sa VO CO o> •-1 ^ s • s V C« ^^ * ^ n e c t: •. s ^ . -- -.__! l-S to iJ C. to Ci o» to 4- ^ CO l<9 CO K3 tsS U ! K9 CO QC Kd >(* CO % O to W >— CO o> *. O •- CO oo o» > 4* CO i-d iK "H. B S^ B ; n f 5 » (T « ra • • i 2 2 i 2 _ , , ►1 p c B CO c;< to H- k-« H-l Ci i— f -^ CO Cn to Cn ^ 0» 0» c* C/1 ^ -• 00 10 M to C C5 to 4^ bi to to ts9 o o> -> M -J a a- M* ». « ^ A •l ^ r*- Ni4 CO ImJ Nrf 0» CO QD CO C;i *. ^ to C7< o t.s lb, «o Eo KS K) to *» O -J «e> o» M o ■ -T t)« -^r )-<• lo H u 4. e to CO <0 fr^ ^ 00 O Ci CO "2. B S. B c- (0 ft o ce 2 - ' 2 3 S 3 S 1 1 ( i^ «. » 1 CO en CO '-' M to ^J O ^ CO ^ 5^ 00 M -» -J "J to «i M OS J? 0> ^T to CO ^ OO 1— CO l-l o O 0) O Co ^ St R ^' - s> 1 o w H > H M O o H O n o CI 9) M c H O o en ^ Ill I aoove^ p ong iiui i i hulull uuruig me preHtiHl Bum m e r , and Irori f the well known character and standing of the houses to whom those orders were ad- 27 dressed, there is no danger to be apprehended but that the shipments will give satisfaction. There are large quantities of Mcmcl staves imported into this part of France, the great bulk of which are used for flooring. All the floors that I have seen in Paris and this part of the country that arc not made of stone are of oak, laid down very neatly in diamonds. The pieces are uot more than 40 inches in length and highly polished, and when made of Memel ntaves they must bo very expensive indeed. From the conversations I have had with the parties in the trade here, I am fully e Usfied that Canadian oak sawn to the re- quired scantling for the above purpose would supplant the Baltic ntavcs, at least as far as flooring is concerned. The dimensions given to me arc as fol- lows : 5 inches broad, 3 inches thick, and in lengths to cut into pieces of 40 inches long. Feeling quite satisfied that Canada can compete with the north of Europe for the trade of this part of France on at least as favorable terms as for any part of Britain and much more so than for that of any of the Coal Ports, as the return cargo from those ports to the Baltic enables vessels to carry lum- ber to them much cheaper than even to this part of France. Such being the case, I felt anxious to proceed to the south-west and south of France, judging that there is a better prospect for Canada there in consequence of a more equable rate of freight. HAVRE. Havre is in fact the sea-port of Paris. The harbor, which is the best and most accessible on this part of the French coast, consists of three basins, separ- ated from each other, and from the outer pori by four locks, capable of accom- modating about 450 ships. Charges on a British vessel of 120 tons register, or 129 French tons, with cargo inwards — p. c. Haulers into dock, 3 00 Bridge men, *? 20 Pilotage, 10 feet inwards, 47 60 Help boat, 12 00 Custom house duties, 430 89 Stamps, 6 00 Brokerage, 95 00 Protest, 9 05 Surveyors on cargo, 10 00 Board of health, 5 00 Outwards in ballast : Pilotage, 11 90 Help boat, 6 00 643 64 About £25. I t8 DOCK AND BUOY DUES PER ADMEASUREMENT. '"I ' ' ' DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL. French vosaol, viz., fishing vospels, " passage boats between Havre, Uonfleur, und Rouen, " Coming down the river of 40 tons aid upwards, " less than 40 tons, " vessels engaged in the great ooastinf; trade from the Colon ios, , " from foreign ports in Europe " from Grout Britain or her colonies in Europe, " from other powers, Spanish, Mecklenburg, and Venezuelan vessels pay as French ves- sels. American vessels from British ports or colonies in Europe, " " from other ports, Mexican vessels as the above. Brazilian " from British ports in Europe^ " " from other ports, English vessels from British ports or from British possessions in Europe, , English vessels from other ports in ballast, " " " laden, Other foreign vessels, from whatever ports, " of flags, entirely laden with fir timber, for half month, plus the decime, " for first two months, per month, " for three or four months, per month, " five months and during the remainder of ship's stay, per month, DOCK UUB8. Vess'kafloot. F. 'J. JO 30 M) .30 75 00 2 ."iO 75 2 60 76 2 50 2 02i 2 50 76 2 60 2 60 37i 76 37J 18i Vessels not afloat. BUOY BUBS. F. C. 00 00 00 15 37i 00 1 65 37i 1 65 37i 65 40J 1 66 37i 65 66 185 374 IBS 091 F. C. 00 00 00 00 00 00 05 C5 06 05 06 05 05 05 10 00 10 10 The pilotage, light duty, custom house and officer's fees, and other charges, are trifling at Havre. HONFLETTR Is situated on the estuary of the Seine, nearly opposite Havre, from which it is distant six miles south-east, and is thirty miles north-east of Caen. 400,000 francs were voted by the French Government for the improvement of this harbour. The following are the expenses on a British vessel of 226 tons register, drawing 14 feet in and 9 feet out, with cargo of coal in and ballast out. The full charges are as follows : — - - w. . ^ ^^ Pilotage in (13 days), 139 43 Boat of help in, 12 00 Landmarks, 3 00 Hawsers, 3 00 Clearances, 4 50 Consul's fees, 5 75 Tonnage or dock duty, 226 45 Pilotage out, 42 90 Ballast, 68 tons, 115 65 Clearances out, 12 00 Brokerage, 178 00 Protest to Consul, 11 50 At 25 iiancs exchange, about iS30 5s. Od. 754 18 F. C. 00 00 00 00 05 05 10 29 I left Honfleur on the 3rd May, and arrived in Bordeaux on the 6tli, on following dciy I presented my letters of introduction which I had from Paris to the principal men in the ship-building and lumber business in that city. I find that the import of lumber into Bordeaux is very large, especially in staves. In the year 1 859 the whole import of lumber was as follows : — Staves, 22,068,241 Pieces. " Boards, 1,354,824 «' Deals, 241,511 « Logs, 19,786 " About three-fourths of all the staves imported to this place come from the Unit- ed States, and the balance from different countries in Europe. When I first heard of this immense quantity of staves being imported into one city in Europe in one year I could not believe it. It certainly astonished me when I found that about equal to three times the whole quantity of staves exported from Quebec is consumed in Bordeaux alone, and was scarcely less astonished to find that few, if any, of those staves are exported from Quebec. Messrs. Donflou & Pou- chon are largely engaged in the stave trade of this place, they told me that Ihoy have had forty American vessels all at one and the same time in Bordeaux laden with staves. Those gentlemen supply the Government wath staves, and at the time I was there they had an order which they were then executing for 900,000 to 1,000,000 pieces, to be used in the manufacture of powder casks. The great bulk of all the boards, deals and logs are brought from the Baltic, and the average freight from that sea to this place is 70 francs for 80 cubic feet, English, which is ove* 368. per load. I am therefore under the impression that we ought to be able to compete well with the people of the Baltic for the trade of this port. I may mention that one gentleman here, Mr , im- ported ^ cargo from Quebec in the year 1853, — at that time timber was not so valuable in France as it has since become, and it so happened that the prices in this country ruled high, and had the effect of discouraging and preventing fur- ther orders being sent. The prices of the cargo in question, free on board at Quebec, were as under : — , ..:, Oak, 12 to 16 inches, 2 ^^5 francs per foot. " 16 inches and upwards, SyVw *' " , Elm, 10 to 14 in., 40 ft. long and upwards, 2,-^5 " " Ash, 30 feet long and upwards, 13 inches square and upwards, 1 " " Pine Deals, 3rd quality, £4 10s. Stg., per St. Petersburg standard. Staves, 5^ and 4^ feet, IJ inches, £57 10s., Sterling. On my assuring this gentleman that he could purchase on much more fa- vorable terms at present in this country, he promised to write to Quebec, with a view to make another trial. Several other parlies promised to do likewise. And I feel great satisfaction in being able to report that those gentlemen kept their word, as several cargoes have already been shipped, and large contracte so I, '' are now offering in this market, from those parties, for stuff, to be delivered in this port in 1862. I may remark here that all the parties in the trade in France, with whom I had communication, seemed desirous to open a trade with this country, if they could only see their way clear. NANTES, On the Loire, about 34 miles from its mouth, lat. 47, 13, 6 N, long. 1, 32, 44, W. The depth of water on the bar at the mouth of the harbor varies from 2 to 2 1 fathoms. At springs the rise is 14, and at neapsj 7 or 8 fesi. High water at full and change 3| hours. The following are the charges on a British vessel of 60 tons, with cargo of coal inwards, and ballast out, drawing as under : — F. C. Quarantine boat dues, 9 00 Pilotage, sea to Paimboeuf, 10 feet, 57 50 « Paimboeuf to Nantes, 10 feet, 28 00 Tribunal of Commerce, 7 75 Measure bill,,. 12 00 ' River dues, 11 35 Tonnage dues and passport, 84 13 Pilotage out from Nantes to Paimboeuf, 8 feet, 17 00 ' 226 73 About £8 18s. '^ -A ' BORDEAUX. The depth of water in the river allows large vessels to come up to the town^ The trade of this city is very considerable. There are two main channels for entering the river, — Passe du Nord, and Passe du Grave. Neap tides rise 7 to 8 feet, Spring 14 to 15 feet. Charges on a British vessel, 300 tons register, from England, with cargo in and out : — Report and pilotage from sea to Bordeaux, for a vessel f. c. drawing 14 French feet of water, 218 93 Lazaretto dues, 61 00 Moving vessel and mooring her, 10 00 Entering vessel at Custom house, and brokerage inwards, 100 00 Tonnage money and navigation dues, 495 00 Visiting officers, clearances, harbour master, &c., 14 75 Manifest and freight list, 15 00 Consul's bill — usual fees, 17 25 Pilotage from Bordeaux to sea, 220 00 •Broker's commission outwards, care and attendance for expediting the vessel, loaded per charter or on own- er's account, 1 franc per ton, 300 00 At 9id., is £57 9s. 3d. 1451 93 * If in ballast, 60 cents per ton, say 120 francs at most. Loaded in freight, 1 frano 50 cent, per ton. British Tessels are on a perfect equality with French vessels when they come from British ports in Europe, otherwise they pay the foreign pilotage and tonnage dues, which would be on the former about 55 francs, and on the latter 744 firancs, in addition to the above. 31 I left Bordeaux on the 7th May, and proceeded to Marseilles, whe'-e I arrived on the 8th. Presented letter of introduction from Monsieur Behic, of Paris, of the Soci6t6 Nouvelle Des Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterrann6 to the Superintendent of the works at this place, and at Toulon. That gentleman requested me to meet him at Touloa the following day, for the purpose of my giving a full explanation of the specimens I had with me to the engineer at that place. The result was that a cargo of Quebec timber was at once ordered. This is a large concern. There was an iron steamer of 3,000 tons launched the morning 1 was there, and there were twenty-four others (chiefly of iron) in course of construction. This company alone have 3,000 men employed at Toulon, and about an equal number at Marseilles. The Superintendent in- formed me that they require a large quantity of timber, and that they are at a loss to know where to procure it on the most advantageous terms, and that if the cargo now written for give satisfaction it will lead to large transactions. They have already contracted this year for 200,000 feet of oak — part from Dant- zic, part the giowth of France, and about 50,000 feet from the United States. I find that the import of lumber to Marseilles is considerable. From 70 to 100 cargoes annually arrive from the Baltic, and that the freight upon which is from 100 to 120 francs per St. Petersburg standard. There are also considerable quantities of pitch pine, oak and staves imported from the United States. There were 100 M. of staves of 4 J feet, 1^ to 3 inches thick, and 5 to 6 inches broad, received from that country last year, and were selling when I was there at 150 francs for 103 pieces; and if all 3 inch, 200 francs for the same quantity. MARSEILLES. A large commercial city and sea-port of France, on the Mediterranean, lat. 43, 17, 49 N., long. 5, 22^ E. The access to the harbor, which is defended by several strong fortifications, is in the centre of the city, forming a basin 625 fathoms in length by about 150 feet in breadth. The tide is hardly serviceable ; >ut ihe depth of water at the entrance to the harbor is from 16 to 18 feet, being ; V -,:it when the wind is north-west, and highest when the wind is south-west. V» i? . the basin the depth of water varies from 12 to 24 feet, being shallowest on the lorth, and deepest on the south side. Dredging machines are constantly at work to clear out the mud, and to prevent the harbor from filling up. Though not accessible to the largest class of ships. Marseilles is one of the best and safest ports in the world for moderate sized merchantmen, of which it will accom- modate above 1,000. Ships in the basin lie alongside the quays, and there is every facility for getting them speedily loaded and unloaded. The Isle de Rottoneau, Pomeques, and the strongly fortified islet or rock of If, lie W.S.W, from the port ; the latter, which is nearest to it, being only 1| miles distant, and not more than three-fourths of a mile from the projecting point of land to the south ol the city. There is good anchorage-ground for men-of-war and other large ships between the Isles de Rottoneau and Pomeques, to the west of the Islo d'If. f' M m I The following are the charges on a British vessel of 134 tons : — r. c. Pilotage in and out, 37 70 Pilot on board, 3 francs a day. Stamps for manifest in and out, 5 90 Stamps at the excise custom's notes to make out the out- ward manifest, &c., 13 80 Custom house passport, 2 60 Bill of health, 5 00 Noting, extending, registering, and interpreting — protest at the tribunal of commerce, 00 Excise duty on ship stores and provisions, 2 60 The Consul's legalization, 00 Gunpowder storekeeper, and for having it brought down to the patache, 00 Measuring the vess*'! by the Custom house, 3 50 Extracted certificate j ■• .V>g-book for the Custom house, 00 Translation of the certii j of origin — Consul's account, 28 25 Accompanying manifest of the outward cargo, 6 25 Certificate of captain's declaration at the health office for the Custom house, 00 Custom house permit for re-exporting, 6 25 Towing boats, 00 Advertisement in papers, 00 Franking letters and postages, 2 40 Boat hire, 3 70 Cash, 00 Health office interpreter, 5 00 Ballast, 00 Health office fees, 5 00 Agency, 60 OQ Cooking on shore, 3 00 Boat of help out, 25 00 Water, 15 00 229 95 Or about £9. I left Marseilles on the 12th May, and returiied to Paris on the 13th, feeling fully satisfied, from the information I received and from my own observations, that there is every reason to expect a good and extensive trade between France and Canada, more particularly with the south and south-western parts, for the follow- ing reasons : — Firstly. (As will be seen by the table I herewith annex,) the import of lumber is very large. Secondly. To the majority of the lumber-consuming districts, the rate of freight would be in favor of Canada, in as far at least as ^-li as the north of Europe is concerned. Thirdly. At the time I was in France, it was expected that on the Ist of October, of the present year, British ships would be admitted into all the French ports on the same footing as those of France. This is much to be desired, as far as Canala is concerned, as certain privileges are granted to British ships, sailing from British ports in Europe to France, which are denied the same vessels sailing from Canada. There are some causes which may, to a certain extent, retard this trade. In the first place, our sawn lumber, as prepared for the United Kingdom, is not exactly suited for the French market. Mill-owners and others who produce this description of lumber could scarcely be expected to change their system by manufacturing an article which would be altogether unsaleable in the United Kingdom, without having the certainty of a market. This would probably, for some time, cause disappointments, as until a regular and permanent market is established, from six to nine months' notice would require to be given in order to prepare this description of goods. This only applies to sawn lumber, as square timber can at any time be supplied. Freights, I should suppose, would also be higher to French than to British ports of the same class, for some time at least ; but ultimately this would come all right. After I left France, and while travelling in Prussia, a party with whom I had been conversing in the south of France telegraphed to a House in Liver- pool, connected with Canada, to know if they could supply 1,000,000 pieces of railway sleepers within five years, — say 200,000 pieces each year, and to stale price. Before closing my Report on the trade of France, I would remark that com- paratively few of the people in the lumber business in that country have any idea of what our square timber looks like in the log. I of course explained to them as far as possible ; but from their seeing scarcely any other timber than that produced in Europe, they are unable to form a comet estimate of ours. I was therefore under the impression that some of our merchants should send a small cargo of well-selected and well-assorted timber into each of the principal ports, and, on my return to this country, I suggested this idea to some of them ; but I regret to say they declined, not wishing to take the risk. I had an inten- tion, before leaving France, that in the event of no timber being ordered, and the merchants not consenting to send any on speculation, of suggesting to the Government, for the extension of the trade of this province, the propriety of send- ing three or four small cargoes, to be sold for and on their own account ; and I am confident there would be no loss sustained. However, I trust this proceed, ing is rendered unnecessary, as several cargoes have already been ordered and despatched, which, it is to be hoped, will answei all the purposes required. I again left Paris on the 14th May, proceeded to Belgium, and arrived in Antwerp on the 15th. I presented letter of introduction from M. I. Wilson, Esq., Liverpool, to — Kennedy, Esq., who introduced me to the principal men in the trade. There seems to be a brisk business in lumber in this place — prices good, and consumption increasing rapidly. I find that the import of lum- ber has more than doubled within the last five years, and regularly on the in 11 S4 crease. In the year 1866, there arrived 181 vessels, timber laden, having a ton- nage of 39097. In 1860, there were similarly employed 277 vessels, with a ton- nage of 62096. The following is a comparative synopsis of the lumber imported for the last five years. For further details of same as to description and place of growth, I refer you to the table I herewith annex, being an extract from the im- ports and exports of Antwerp during that period : — 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859. 1860. Pieces. Pieces. Pieces. Pieces. Pieces. Deal8,Boards and Battens,. 828561 1216805 1141945 1386044 1480459 Logs, 43768 70065 70405 78951 109167 "1; it |ng a ton- [ith a ton- I imported place of the im- m. Jces. p0459 9167 ^^^\V FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. jnparative figures for the last five years will give anj^j^g register; and the importations in 1860 ose to ^igequenee of the transactions between this place a\ncreasc considerably year after year. We finish th ■=1- bito. 8-4. **°r'' ^^160 I 501 .. 2^474 " Jsfe : ^^ ^^%28 i !!!!!!'.'."..'."!.'.' Total. 5G9577 639729 642B62 320591 82965 97258 63400 OTTQH ■1..^:'^ rt*%/..v4a«..>:V Xi:-' have linly !here jThe noti phat un- 9ci- de. leg up ast Exchange, a. ,s. 8d. per florin, is «S ,4. lod., nearf/g. 'pi, .„„. WXTIIACT FROM TIIK CIIICIJLAK OF Mr. A. U. SOLVAY, ON THE IMPORTS As tlx! following siutcmnnt will bIiow, the Imde in timber is becoming of considerable give an idea of its ininicnse devclopinciil. In the year 1866, the arrivals of timber from the > rone to the figure of 277 vesselH, registering 62,095 tons. This is caused partly by the scarcity place and the north of France, which are increasing perceptibly. It is to be presumed thi finish the year 1860 with a stock infinitely less than last year, and with prices having an upwa COMPARATIVK IMPORTATIONS OP YEARS 186( DUAnns (mrmkl, niaA, and n Momcl 18rt0, tt 1859, u 1858, it 1857, tt 1850, RiK*. 1860. « 1859, It 1858, 1/ 1867, II 1856, DaiiUio, 1860, II 1859, «< 1868, II 1857, II 1856, 3x11. 1367 17115 8107 5000 109 1000 2132 200 2196 Red. 6-4 17626 24824 38168 16671 33316 6472 7202 6083 12446 19822 18326 17449 9313 16633 20006 Whi 6- 25( 29! n: 24: 10! 4< 51 101 28( DEALS, BATTE^3, AKD ?.( _ 1 4x 9. 3 X 11-13. 3x9. 1 1 3x8. u X Swodon ftud Norwav. 1860 811 1353 26857 21282 12616 14883 12629 ! 208390 243622 1 96443 105819 ! 122300 i 1 14860 I 18355 ' 11935 10800 12831 ' 32; 1859 43 28 61 32 1858, 1857, 1 1 1866, 1 ri R BEAMS OP Rl( >A. i 1 1 1 li li 1« li If Red. Wh ite. Total. Ist quality. 2Dd qufllity. Holland. i English. I860, 3736 3673 4600 10117 7078 12068 13290 10721 21751 1 12035 14697 11427 10169 8072 7053 100 746 2660 4168 801 31601 29136 28040 44108 27867 1859, 1858, 1867, 1886, OAK STAVES. RIGA. 3i X 7, 108. 31, 2x7, 96. 3 X 6, 86. 3x6, 84. 21 X 1860, 1840 1620 780 6847 1620 180 2160 3351 16616 14493 : 1859, 1868, 13600 i i 1857, 1230 28861 1866, 1 277 yeiselB a' -r dd during year 1860, inolading 20 in the way (Leuva 293 " " 1859, " 35 " " 226 " " 1868, " 23 " " 273 " " 1867, " 10 " " 181 " " 1856, " e « « ■5T ON THE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF ANTWEHI* FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. oming of considerable importance, and a glance at the compiirativi! tignrcH for the last five years will » of timber from the North were 181 cargoes, or 29,097 tons register; and the importationH in 1860 J partly by the scarcity of native timber, and partly in conseqiunce of the transactioiiH between this is to be prcHumcd that the importation of Timber will increase considerably year after year. We prices having an upward tendency. iRTATIONS OP YEARS 1860, 1860, 1868, 1867, AND 1866. noARns (mrkkl, rioa, and dantzic). Ucd. 0-4 White. 0-4 6-4 X 3-4. Rod. 4-4 White. 8-4. Total. 1 i ;i 1 i Z'.'.'.j '.'"..'.J 1 17628 24824 38168 16571 33316 6472 7202 6683 12445 10822 18326 17449 9313 16633 20006 25027 20258 17742 24370 10205 1338 308504 326712 420686 301 167 248306 62084 74051 30227 36374 69208 12530 IU300 .0510 8020 4011 20S100 1 70 174 15.)037 100:(87 28700 11014 13522 lfl;t28 23606 693H0 601 052713 509577 630729 642602 8''0501 124 086 82006 07258 63400 4059 6162 10140 28665 8023 97789 174065 2495 1042 2954 1406 1609 35209 30712 16234 , 20171 24917 1 DEALS, BAT1KN3, A^D ROARDS. 1 ». 1 3 s 8. 1 u X 7. , 2ix0-ll. 2i X 7. 2i X C{. i 1 2i .\ C. fi-l, 5-4, 4-1. Total. i 90 22 1 43 19 1 00 1 14860 18355 11935 10800 12831 ' 1 .12375 43839 28172 01788 32120 |. 8144 4083 4579 1 4200 1 227246 237889 108154 231113 116480 r 1 02531 39852 31391 20300 28400 19607 , 6B20 5067 1 70778 36635 .•;3663 6212 14828 i 709482 008517 ■122582 .'.50183 3U8988 1 1 1 1 1860, 1859, 1858 1867, 1856, ;.. LAROB AND SMALI, SyUARK DEAMM AND Fin LOGS. i8h. ToUl. 1 Oak from Dant- zic, Mcmel, and America. Dantzic. Pi r. Sweden and Korway. Fir round logs by Railroad. 1 1 Fir Beams from America. Total. LOO ] 31601 20136 28040 44108 1 27867 6386 6137 8375 2840 3061 6614 4623 2116 6668 126S i 26614 10778 36693 16449 IllSl 1 80142 ' 29381 i I , (trtiod r4o l"::":;:":::";::::i 49815 )00 187 42305 168 :;:;:;;;::;;;::;;::: 25967 301 447 16001 OAK STAVES. RIGA. i UEMIiL. 1 1 1 DANTZIC. t i ! Total. i 96. 3x6, 84. 2i X 6, 84. 3x6, 72. 1 2i X 5, 72. 3 X 6, 42. i i 1 i Various. ! Various. 20 16616 14493 2324 ann i i i 9799 1400 6794 8112 8947 1080 37795 80 1800 1050 766 1 18503 60 13600 i !!iOin 1 20B94 51 28861 ::.. 6920 2051 54351 4.SB94. Risa. i 54092 nclnding 20 in the way (Leuvain and Bruxelles), together, 62,005 tons burthcu. " 35 " " " " " 62,206 " •< 23 " " " " " 48,904 " " 10 " " " " " 59,397 " " 6 " " " " " 39,097 '• ore! nac port giver not b have freigl than Caua ablo 1 mens liver from harb( to till out U 37 There has been Home Virginian Oak imported here, and it seems to have given satisfaction. It is about the same quality as our Canadian Oak — certainly not better, and not as well made, at least that which I have seen of it. There have been several cargoes ordered and shipped from Quebec this season. The freight from Riga to Antwerp is 26«. per load, which is nearly 60 per cent, more than to the Coal Ports of England. I am therefore under the impression that Canada ought to come in for a good share of the trade of this port. I was un- able to see the Secretaiy of the Chamber of Commerce. I left a set of speci- mens and a letter to accompany same with Mr. Kennedy, who promised to de- liver them to that gentleman. ANTWERP, The principal sea-port of Belgium, is situated on the Scheldt, about 60 miles from Flushing, in lat. 61, 13, 16 N., long. 4, 24, 10 East. It has an excellent harbor, extensive docks, warehouses, &c. Ships of the largest burden come up to the town. Charges on a British vessel, with cargo in from the West Indies, and ballast out to Great Britain, of 207 tons British, and 221 Belgium measure : — Florins. C. Pilotage from Sea to Flushing Roads, for 13|^ feet, 63 00 *♦ from Flushing to Antwerp, " " 60 00 « to Flushing for 24 Palms, or 12 feel, 24 00 Paid in cash to the capt'n for pilotage from Flushing to sea, 16 60 Pilot lor moving the vessel from the stream in and out of the dock, 2 00 Sea protest, and extending at the tribunal of commerce,. 14 60 Tribunal charges for appointing surveyors, 6 61 To the surveyors for examining hatches, and stowage of the cargo, 12 00 Leads put to the hatches and ship stores by custom house, 8 90 Harbor dues, 3 00 Tonnage duty, 221 tons, at 90 cents in and out, 198 00 Additional duty, 13 per cent., and stamps, 44 38 Certificate, stamps, measuring, and receipt of the tonnage duty, 11 90 Dock duty, at 63 cents for 3 months, 63 04 For the cooking-house, 2 weeks, 3 80 Ballast, 25 lasts, 32 10 Consul's bill, clearance, .• 2 71 Water bailift's review of the crew and certificate, 6 07 Brokerage on the vessel, 221 tons, at 75 cents per ton, . . 78 32 Excise for town dues on ship's provisions, clearance in and out, 5 80 Cancelling custom house bonds, postages, and small ex- penses, 6 74 To Pilotage office, for booking the vessels outwards,. ... 1 00 To the Pilot, from Flushing to Antwerp, gratuity, 6 00 To the British Consul for signature to the muster role, . . 6 44 643 81 Exchange, at Is. 8d. per florin, is £63 14s. lOd., nearly 6s. per ton. 38 I proccdod to Rotte'rdnm, where I arrived on the 17lh May, and had an intcrvl<'\v vvitli MeHsrs. A. Van Stolk & Son, extensive wood mcrchantd. Tliey \\n\r a conMidcriiblc tract of forest lundH in Ardennes, from which they iruiimfacturc oak luul fir. I suw wome of the oak. It is lar^e, and would avcraj^e at h'ast 35 feet long and 16 inches square. They informed me that they had hitely made a sah' of a large quantity to the Russian Govern- ment, to be delivercid in Hotterdairi. The? price is two guilders* for the French cubic foot. The fir timber produced in this part of the country, or at least in the interior and brought to Rotterdam, is very inferior. I am of opinion that there is not much prospect for Canadian lumber here. I left for Berlin, and arrived there on the 20tli May. Presented letter of introduction from His Excellency Lord Cowley to Lord Loflns, British Minister at Berlin, who gave me letters to the British Consuls at Stettin, Dantzic, Konigsburg and Memel. I proceeded to Stettin, and called on Mr. Blackwell, British Consul, from whom I received stat- istical information relative to tlie trade of that port, by which 1 find that the ex- port of lumber is not increasing. For the seven years, from 1862 to 1858, inclu- sive, The average value was 1,037,478 Prussian Thalers.f 1859, 1,625,870 " '* 1860, 1,673,460 " " Of the first, say 1,637,478, Great Britain took 745,174 1859, 1,625,870, " « 746,900 1860 1,673,460, « " 696,165 I was also here introduced by Mr. Poulson, ship broker, to Mr. Kressman, who is extensively engaged in the timber trade in this place. He informed me that the major part of the forest lands belong to private individuals, and tho remainder i ' the Prussian and Russian Governments. With respect to the cost of standing timber, Mr. Kressman told me that he had returned only a day or two before from making a purchase of a certain lot of standing oak and fir. Both are accounted equal in value, as the greater quantity contained in the fir tree compensates for the diflference in the price of the oak per foot over that of the fir. There are supposed to be in this lot 10,000 trees, for which he is to pay 55,000 rubles.} A number of those trees may be bad, and Mr. Kressman reckons that all those he can make available will cost him at least 255. sterling each. When it is taken into consideration the small average of this timber, say about 30 feet, the price appears to be very high. This purchase-money is all to be paid down at once, and it may be six or seven years before he gets all the timber ofT — if he ever does. This timber has to be hauled a distance of 2| to 3 German miles — 12 to 1 5 English — after which it has to be driven some hundreds of miles, and may be expected to arrive at Stettin in all June. From the best information I can obtain, the timber in this country, I refer to Prussian Poland, is fast becoming exhausted, and that the value of standing timber has been greatly enhanced of late years — more particularly since the recent repeal of the duties in England* * A. Oallder U equal to 40 ctf. t A Thaler i* equal to 7a cti. t A Bable la equal to 75 eta. !| 1 proceeded to Dantzic, where I arrived on tlie morning of tiu; 23rd May, and presented letter of Lord LoftUH to H. R. Plow, Esq., Her Mujcsiy's Consul General. I had also letters of introduction from gentlemen in England and S(U)thmd \o MeN^rs. Albrecht & Co., Messrs. Thomas Behrend & Co., and S. Keoliine, Ksij., Iinnher merchants. All those parties seemed earnestly inclined lo allbrd me nil the in- formation possible relative to the trade of this port. They are ^trui^'htlorward, open, and candid men, and did not appear to have anything lo conceal ol a gen- eral character with respect to the business. They all complain thai the wtanding timber in fast disappearing — that it is rising in price at (^aeh and every Mieceed- ing sale, and that the distance they have to haul is constantly increasing. Mr. Grade, of the firm of Messrs. Albrecht & Co., said timber not re(iuiring to be haided more than 12 to 15 English miles is considered handy to the river. To have to haul 6 to 8 German miles (30 to 40 English) is by no means unusual. After- wards it has to be driven a great distance by a tortuous, tedious and expensive route. A great proportion of the lumber brought to this market is made a long way to the south and south-east of Warsaw, and much of it is brought from Galicia, in Austrian Poland. The general custom of selling the standing timber is as foHows : — A eertain limit or circuit is sold, which is supposed to contain a specifit^d number of trees, suitable to be made into timber, for a lump sum or so nuich per tree. The num- ber of trees is generally overrated. Such is the competition among purchasers, that they submit to it. The purchaser is bound to take off the cjuantity with- in a given time, if to be found ; but in no case is any deduction made. He is not allowed to take more than the number stipulated for, should they even be there, without paying additionally for them. Every tret; which is cut down counts, whether rotten or otherwise. I went with Mr. Albrecht and looked over all the lumber in the river, down to the harbor. There was but little remaining after the spring shipments, and none of the new timber had then arrived. It was expected in a few days. The timber is separated into three classes — 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Mr. Albrecht told me that to get any considerable quantity of first quality is very difficult and ex- pensive, and scarcly any of it to be had without having to be hauled 30 or 40 English miles. The value of first quality redwood here at present is 65a per load, free on board; 2nd, 45«. ; 3rd class about 41«. per load. The freights just then were very low, not more than \os. per load to the east coast of England. Large quantities of redwood are now being sawed up by the different es- tablishments here into deck plank for the English and French Governments. The prices paid by the French Government are for 1st quality 21». sterling for 40 feet long, 3 inches thick, and 9 inches broad ; and two-thirds that amount for 2nd quality. There must not be any pith in those planks, and they must shew heart- wood the whole length, of at least seven inches wide. I find that the produc- tion of last winter does not exceed that of the previous year. A considerable quantity of redwood is also being prepared here, intended for the defences at Southampton, England. The pieces are all to be 35 feet long, 12 inches square, and to shew a certain amount of heartwood on all sides. The price to be paid is 40 05i. per load, freo on board — a price with which the sellers seem well satisfied. The timber purchased from the Prugsian Government in almost all cases is cut down and squared at their expense. A portion of the timber is also got out round the full length of the trees. It in then sold by public auction — the squiire timber by the foot, tlu; round timber by the piece. The latter timber is brought down without being squared, und part of it shipped as spars. The remainder is sawed and manufactured into different descriptions of scantling. F(»r the export of lumber from this port, and the prices thereof, I beg to refer you to pages 17, 18 and 10. 1 proceeded to Konigsberg, where I arrived on the night of the 24th May. On the following day, I presented letter of Lord Loftus to Mr, Hartsel, British Consul. Mr. liurtsel resided for some time in Memel, and was engaged in the timber trade there. He seems to be well acquainted with the affairs of the country, as connected with the lumber trade. He informed me that about one-third of the forest lands which supply this place and Memel, belong to the Russian Govern- ment, and about two-thirds to the Polish and Russian nobles, and that almost the whole of said supply comes off Russian territory — scarcely any off Prus- sian. There is scarcely any possibility of arriving at the cost of bringing it to market — Ihe business being altogether in the hands of the Jews, who hitherto had an understanding with the proprietors that the serfs on the estates should be employed in !uaking and bringing it forward, and, consequently, the exporters at these ports neither know nor care about the cost of production, not being inter- ested in the same. What effect the emancipation of the serfs will have on the trade ivumins yet to be developed. The great timber-producing districts are comprised within an area of alH>ut 5J7,tXX) Englisii square miles — a great portion of which has been cut over and over again — besides there is a population within this circuit of from 1,600,- OtK) to 3,000,000, and it is considered one of the best a^Ticultural provinces in the Russian Empire. From these facts 1 infer that there is a limit to the timber even in this province. The standing timber is gradually be- coming scarce and dear. The distance to haul is increasing, and it is thought that the emanoipatiou of the serfs will have the effect of changing the nature of the tiade allv^gether. In the first place, it is to be expected that much raor. of the land will be brvnight under cultivation, and, in the next, the men will not con- tinue to work for the same small pittaDce they have hitherto been in the habit of receiving. In fact, they seem not to be inclined to work at all. In proof of this assertion, 1 can state that large numbers of Germans, from the province of Pomerania, at the time 1 was ihere, were moving to Russia to supply the labor hervtofort* j>erformed by that class. This change in the condition of the serfs must rais«;» the y-tk-e of lab<.>r, and a corresponding rise in the price of timber, or a diminution in the quantity, nuist necessarily be the result. Mr. Hertsel iuriher infbnned rae that the coimtry is now undergoing such changes that it is hard to say what ultimate effect such changes may produce. One th^ag, however, is ceztain, that, so far, the efle^vt has been a large diminution in all the p. <^ acts of the country. Under any circumstance, as far as 1 have been able to judge. 41 Canada has nothing to apprehend from a competition with me south side of the Baltic. I left Konigsberg on the 25th, and arrived in Memel on the 26th May. The following day, I presented letter from Lord Loftus to — Campbell, Esq., British Consul. I had letters of introduction also from Messrs. John Hall & Co., New- castle-on-Tyne, William Muir, Esq., Leith, Alexander Gordon, Esq., London, and from Mr. Hertsel, British Consul at Konigsberg, to the principal parties en- gaged in the lumber business here. I waited on these gentlemen separately, from whom I received corroborative information respecting the trade, which amounts to the following : — Memel is supplied with lumber from Russia and Poland by the River Nieme. The lumber has such a long distance to be driven that it only reaches market in September and October, which market is at a place called Russ, about 30 English miles from Memel, situate on the bay which lies between that city and Konigsberg. At Russ the wood is purchased by the Memel merchants and brought down at their risk and expense in large rafts of 1500 to !?000 pieces of square and round timber. When the timber arrives at Memel it is assorted according to quality and the views of the owners. There is a Government system of classification, but it is not compulsory. The differ- ent kinds of timber brought to this place are : — Fir Redwood, square. " " round. " Whitewood, round. Oak, square. " Wainscot Logs. " Staves. , And in about the following quantities : — Square Redwood, 12 to 18 inches square, 20 to 60 feet long ; very ' few pieces of the lattsjr length or size ; general average about 30 X 13, 150,000 to 200,000 pes. an'ly Round ditto, 150,000 " Whitewood, round, 20,000 " Square Oak, 10,0*13 " Wainscot Logs, 4,000 " Staves, about 15,000 shocks of 60 pes ea. The Square Redwood is classified as under : — Crown Timber, value at that time, 70s. stg. per load. Best Middling, « " 66s. " " 2nd " « " 54s. " " The round wood, both red and white, is cut here by steam and wind-mills into 3 X 11, 3 X 9, 4 X 11, 4 X 9, 2i X 7, and boards 1 to U inches thick by 8 ! to 11 inches in breadth, and all generally of long lengths. They are classified as follows : — Redwood, Crown, was then worth .... £12 per St. Petersburg std. « second qual. third " Whitewood, Crown, second qual. third (( u u u (( (( (( 7 6 7 6 5 55. 6d. per foot. 3s. 6d. « The latter deals compete with our spruce, in the English market ; but ac- cording to my opinion they are not as good, or equal in any respect. I was told by the gentlemen in the trade that a few years ago this whitewood was attacked by an insect, which has almost killed every tree. I have seen a con- siderable quantity of this kind of lumber in the log, and found it all to be per- forated to the heart by grub-worm. Square oak, 12 to 14 inches square, and 20 to 50 feet long, general average j not more than 35 feet cubic, and classified as under : — Crown, was worth at that time, .... 100s. per load. Second quality, 90«. " Wainscot logs, in lengths of 9 feet and upwards. This timber is sawn from pretty large trees, must be free from heart, and shaped thus, PJJ) ; and must 10 be at least 10 inches deep from the curve to the corner of the large flat surface. Crown. — The value at that time was, . . . Second quality, " " "... Staves are of the following dimensions : — Pipe, 6 loci long, 6x3 inches, Brandy, 5 " " « Hogshead, 4 feet long, 6x3 inches. Barrel, 3 " " " Heading, long, 2^ ft. long, 6x3 in., " short, 1^ « « " And were then worth. Crown,. . £140 per 1200 pes. " " " 1st Brack, 115 " " Three pieces long heading counts one. Four " short " « The provinces which supply Memel are, Kowno, Augustoo, Bialystock, Ve- tepsk, Minsk, Wilna, and Volhynia— this latter province furnishing or yielding two-thirds of the whole, and is the province spoken of in my remarks on Konigs- berg. As far as I can understand, the timber trade is gradually declining here, and although the lumber is becoming scarce, this is not the only reason given for the cause of the trade languishing. The late season at which the timber arrives necessitates the holding over large quantities during winter, which is embarrassing in a monetary point of view. Nevertheless, at that time in Memel, as well as in the other ports in the Baltic, the people were as busy as possible saw- ing and preparing lumber for the French Government, and complained that they All reduced to 6x6x3. 43 were not able to get it ready fast enough. There is no doubt that a great consumption of wood goods is going on at present in France, and it certainly will be the fault of our merchants if Canada does not share a good part of the bene- fits arising from such consumption. While here, I received a letter from P. M. Partridge, Esq., Superintendent of Woods and Forests, informing me that you had approved of my not visiting Norway, as suggested in my letter dated Newcastle, 10th April. Having now reached (in accordance with your letter of instruction, the extreme point of my journey, I returned by Hamburg, where I arrived on the 29th May. I called on Messrs. Rlenckroth & Co., Messrs. Martins, ship owners and timber merchants. The latter export lumber from Hamburg to France and England. They are of opinion that timber of good quality of certain descriptions, say oak, elm, and yellow pine, at the prices I mentioned, might bo sent there in limited quantities, to pay. The oak should be long and large, the yellow pine long and clean, suitable for deck planks. Masts are also required. There is an abun- dance of common timber in the country, and therefore nothing but the best should be sent. Hamburg exports square oak and fir timber, which is brought down the Elbe from Russia and Poland ; and although the people of Hamburg have much farther to bring their timber by inland navigation, nevertheless, they have such an advantage over the exporters of Dantzic and Memel in the sea freight, that they are able successfully to compete with them. The freight from here to the coal ports of England is only 10s to 12*. per load. The same complaint I heard in Stettin, Dantzic and Memel, is also made here, namely, that the timber of the country is fast disappearing. Mr. Klenckroth informed me that not only will the export of timber soon be at an end here, but that they must commence immediately to import certain kinds of timber for shipbuilding purposes. In fact there have been several cargoes of United Suites oak, and pitch pine in con- siderable quantities, already imported. In course of conversation with Mr. Slowmaii, sl.ip broker, of this pluce, I learned that the export of lumber from Hamburg is m til indeed, and that a large import must soon take place to meet the increasing dei uind. I made in- quiry for, and endeavored to obtain, a return of the import and export of lum- ber, but was told that no statistics of them are kept. I came to Bremen on the morning of the 31st May. The import of lum- ber here is pretty large, as will be seen by the following table, which I took from the official returns of the city for 1860 : — By Sea. Oak and Birch, 24,071 cubic feet Fir Timber, 291,545 " Deals, 836,899 pieces. Staves, 491,470 « Knees, 900 « Masts, 44 " From the interior. About 2,000,000 cubic feet. 44 If' I i i I called on — Bellier, Esq., and also on 0. Thyne, Esq. Both these gen- tlemen are importers here, and they informed me that the freight from the Bal- tic ports to Bremen averages 8 to 10 Bremen dollars per last of 80 English cubic feet. This is fully as high a rate as is paid from those ports to any part of England. The freight from Savannah and other Southern ports in North Ameri- ca to this place is ^17 to ^18 per 1,000 feet board measure. Such being the case I cannot understand why Canada should not be able successfully to compete with those countries for the trade of Bremen. I had a long conversation with Mr. Thyne, in which I endeavored to ex- plain to him the qualities, sizes, &e., &c., of our timber. He requested me to give him the names of some of the Houses in Quebec, and that he would write to the captain of one of his vessels, then on her passage to New York, and in- struct him to go round to Quebec to take in a cargo of lumber on his account. I gave him the names of some half dozen firms, any of whom I assured him would carry out any agreement they mij^it enter into. I find that Mr. Thyne ordered a cargo, and that such cargo has been dispatched, and trust it will give him satisfaction. BREMEN Is in latitude 53, 5 N., long. 8, 48 E., and about 60 miles from the mouth of the River Weser. Vessels drawing more than 7 feet water cannot come up ; but there is an excellent harbor at Vegesack, 13 miles below, where vessels draw, ing 13 to 14 feet come ; and at Bremerhaven, 38 miles below Bremen, is a splendid harbor and docks, admitting vessels drawing 24 to 2^ feet. I left Bremen on the 1st June, returned to London on the 2nd, and ar- rived in Quebec 10th July, 1861, I trust that when you consider the variety and importance of the subjects which I was charged to report on, and the very limited time at my disposal, you will be satisfied that I have discharged the du- ties committed to me in a manner likely to result advantageously to the lumber trade of this country. In conclusion, I beg to Report (as it may be gratifying to you to learn) that since my visit to the continent of Europe, several cargoes of lumber have been ordered from Quebec by Houses in the following places, namely : — Bremen, Cermany. Antwerp, Belgium. Dieppe, France. Havre, " Honfleur, " Nantes " Bordeaux, '' Montpelier, " Cette, " Marseilles, " Toulon, " n 46 And I I'.ave the satisfaction of recording my sincere conviction that these are only the introduction to an extended trade with these countries — the advan- tage arising from which will be felt in this colony in due course. In the fore- going remarks, I have had occasion to introduce the names of several noblemen and gentlemen, from whom I obtained valuable information, and I feel I should not present this report without bringing under your notice, in a particular man- ner, the following, who have not only afforded me all the information in their power, but were obliging enough to give me letters of introduction to others whom they supposed were in a position to render me the assistance i required in the attainment of the object in view : — Monsieur le Baron Gauldree Boilleau, French Consul in this Province. UNITED KINGDOM. Henry Sharpies, Esq., Liverpool. Edward Chaloner, Esq., '< Messrs. Rankin, Gilmour & Co., " " Duncan, Ewing & Co., " " Farnworth, Jardine & Co., " M. I. Wilson, Esq., " Messrs. A. F. & D. MacKay, « Allan Gilmour, Esq., Glasgow. Messrs. Donaldson & Rose, Aberdeen. William Muir, Esq., Leith. Messrs. John Hall & Co., Newcastle-on-Tjme. William Burstall, Esq., Hull. Charles Heaven, Esq., " Messrs. Wade, Sons & Co., " " Gilmour, Rankin, Strang & Co., London. « Churchill & Sim, " Alexander Gordon, Esq., " Messrs. Mark Whitwell & Son, Bristol. " Barns & Sons, " « Watson&Co., Cardiff. James Martin, Esq., Dublin. Messrs. Colvil & Auld, Belfast. FRANCE. HisExcellency Lord Cowley, British Ambassador, &c., Paris. • Monsieur Herbet, Conseiller d'Etat, &c., " I Monsieur Bossange, " ' Monsieur M. Schevallier (Senator), " Monsieur Behic, Directeur du Service Maritime, &c., " Monsieur Armand, " BBLOIUM. — Kennedy, Esq., Antwerp. 46 PRUSSIA. Lord Augustus Loftus, Her Majesty's Envoy Extraor- dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., . . Berlin. — Blackwell, Esq., British Consul, Stettin. — Plow, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul General, Dantzic. Messrs. Albrecht & Co., " ** Thomas Behrend & Co., " — Hartsel, Esq., British Consul, Konigsberg. — Gubba, Esq., Memel. John Mason, Esq., " — Campbell, Esq., British Consul, " All which is respectfully submitted. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, WILLIAM QUINN, ,.,...,' Supervisor of Cullers, N.B. — I deem it necessary here to explain an apparent discrepancy in the dates of my return to England and my return to Canada, and which was occa- sioned by my going to the Continent before completing my round of the United Kingdom, having left the West of England, Wales and Ireland to be visited after my return from the Continent. My reason for this course I explained to the De- partment in my letter dated Paris, 26th April, 1861. In making up this Report, I was desirous of having all the remarks on the ports which I visited in the United Kingdom connected and continuous — hence my observations in reference to the Continent appear last in this Report.