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Title: The Oriental Republic of Uruguay at the World's Columbian Exhibition, Chicago, 1893

Author: Carlos Maria de Pena
        Honore Roustan

Translator: J. J. Rethore

Release Date: June 5, 2013 [EBook #42879]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

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THE
ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY
AT THE
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION,
CHICAGO, 1893

☞ PLEASE NOTE MAP.

THE
ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY

—AT THE—

World's Columbian Exhibition,
CHICAGO, 1893.

GEOGRAPHY, RURAL INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, GENERAL STATISTICS.

—BY—

CARLOS MARIA DE PENA

—AND—

HONORE ROUSTAN, Director of the General Statistics Office

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY J. J. RETHORE.

MONTEVIDEO.
———
1893

NOTICE.

Montevideo, December 31st, 1892.

To the Hon. President of "Chicago Exhibition" Executive Committee:

On delivering the Spanish text of these notes and statistical inquiries, the compiling of which we have taken under our care as a patriotic duty, it is convenient to observe that, if the present work principally contains facts and particulars only relative to the year 1891, it is because complete general statistics covering the year 1892 are not yet to be had, as the "Board of Statistics" do not publish the "Annual" till the second quarter of the year 1893, and also because it has been considered better to conserve a certain general unity in the compiling of facts and particulars. If, in a few special cases, any particulars of the year 1892 have been quoted, it was merely with the purpose of supplying to some deficiency.

The time which the Commission has had to dispose has been very short for a work of this kind; the particulars that existed at the "Board of Statistics" had to be used, and it was impossible to get any new ones, at least as completely and as quickly as it was required; and that if, notwithstanding so many difficulties, it has been possible to deliver the present work in due time, it is because the Director of the "Board of General Statistics" had already compiled nearly all of it, so that the only thing to be done has been to introduce a few short amplifications, sometimes to change the order, and some others to make a few important corrections.

The only thing we are sorry for, is not to have received all the particulars and information we had asked for, so as to give to the present work a greater novelty and a more seducing form—that, with a greater number of facts and particulars, might reveal what is, what can be, and what is to be, one day or other the Oriental Republic, with all its economical and social elements, and with all the new elements that will be created, owing to the benefits of peace and owing to the work and energy of the inhabitants, under the protecting shield of a severe and provident Administration.

Having concluded this work which was committed to our care, and thinking that the translator, Mr. J. J. Rethore, will finish his in the first fortnight of the next year, we have the honor of saluting the Honorable President with all our greatest consideration and esteem.

HONORE ROUSTAN.

CARLOS M. DE PENA.

Minister of Foreign Relations,
Montevideo, Jan. 27, 1893.

To the Consul-General:

The Government has this day issued the following decree: Ministry of Foreign Relations. Decree. Montevideo, January 27, 1893.

In view of the representation made by the Ministry of Public Works (Fomento) in a note of present date, the President of the Republic decrees:

Article 1. The following are appointed as members of the Commission representing the Republic of Uruguay in the Universal Exposition at Chicago: President, Senor Don Prudencio de Murguiondo, Consul-General in the United States of North America; Special Commissioner, Don Lucio Rodriguez Diez; and Regular Commissioner, Don Alberto Gomez Ruano, Dr. Don Eduardo Chucarro, and Don Ricardo Hughes.

Art. 2. The said Commissioners will arrange directly with the Central Commission at Montevideo in everything relating to their duties.

Art. 3. Let this decree be published and recorded.

Signed:

Herrera y Obes,
Manuel Herrero y Espinosa.

Any information regarding Uruguay will be cheerfully given by the Commissioners at Chicago till the Exposition closes, and after that by the Consul-General of Uruguay, at Washington, D. C., or the following Consuls and Vice-Consuls.

CONSULS.

VICE-CONSULS.

THE ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY.

(SOUTH AMERICA.)

Discovery—Situation—Limits—Configuration—Perimeter—Superficies.

The territory of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, situated within the temperate zone of South America, was discovered in the beginning of the sixteenth century by the famous Spanish cosmographer, Juan Diaz de Solis.

Its geographical situation is comprised between the 30°, 5' and 35° degrees of latitude S. and the 56th 15' and 60th 45' of longitude W., according to the Paris meridian.

North and eastward it confines with the United States of Brazil, and westward with the Argentine Republic.

Its limits are: On the north, the river Cuareim, the cuchilla or ridge of hills of Santa Ana, and the right bank of the river Yaguaron Grande; on the east, the occidental coast of Lake Merin and the river Chuy, which empties into the Atlantic ocean; on the west, the river Uruguay, which separates it from the Argentine Republic; on the south, the river Plate.

Its configuration is somewhat that of a many-sided polygon, surrounded in its greatest part by water, except its northern part, where it is bounded by the terrestrial frontier, which separates it from the Brazilian Republic.

Its perimeter is of 1846 kilom. 850 m., out of which 1073 kilom. 750 m. are sea and river coasts, remaining 773 kilom. 100 m. of terrestrial line.

Its superficies is 186,920 square kilom.

Aspect—Climate—Meteorology.

The prevailing aspect of the country presents itself with continuous undulations, formed by the numerous cuchillas or ridges of hills, which shoot in all directions.

The hills are covered with rich pasture grounds.

Trees of all kinds stand along the banks of the principal rivers and rivulets which flow, winding about, over great extensions of land, and water the fertile meadows, forming, under a quiet and generally clear sky, a charming landscape all over, which[8] invites to employ usefully such manifold natural riches that have just begun, being cultivated and worked in a vast scale and with fruitful results.

Although it is not a mountainous country, its highlands are numerous. The principal heights are the hills of Santa Ana, 490 m.; the hills of Hædo, 400 m.; the Cuchilla Grande (high hills), 458 m. To all these hills join a great many others less high, the declivity of which form the lakes, ponds and rivers that give a great variety to the hydrography of the country.

The climate all over the Republic is mild and notably healthy; there exist no malignous, endemical disease whatever. Neither the cold nor the heat is excessive.

The middle temperature may be calculated to be, in winter-time of 11 degrees, in spring-time of 17 degrees, in summer of 21 degrees, and in autumn of 16 degrees.

The maximum of heat in the month of January is 36°, and that of cold in the month of July is 3° above naught.

The climate is a little dryer in the interior than on the coast. Along the coasts watered by the salt waters of the great mouth of the river Plate, the climate is thoroughly a sea climate, and the seasons never get to any extreme.

Meteorological observations, made in Montevideo in the year 1843 and down to the year 1852 have given a middle term of 244 serene days, 85 cloudy days and 36 rainy days per annum.

The last observations made by the "Uruguay Meteorological Society" during the year 1891 have given the following results;

Atmospherical pressure, calculated in mm., reduced to 0, middle term, 760,572.

Temperature of the air, in the shade, centigrade degrees, middle term, 16,23; minimum, m. t. 12.77; maximum, m. t. 19.36.

Tension of the vapor, in mm., middle term, 10.98.

Relative humidity (saturation = 100), middle term, 77.29.

Inferior wind, prevailing direction N. N. E.; rapidity in meters by second, middle term, 3.81.

Rain, mm., total: 711.8.

Winter is so mild in this country that, in fact, the year may be divided into two seasons—the hot season, from November till April, and the cool season, from May till October.

Whatever may be the geographical situation of his own country the foreigner does not need any previous acclimation; when he comes to live in this Republic he does not feel any disorder in his health, owing to the mildness of the temperature.

The most ordinary winds are the N., N. E., E, and S. W. winds. This last one, called Pampero, is pure and vivifying and is rightly considered as the purifier of the Plate, and one of the principal causes of the wholesomeness which the country enjoys.

Rivers—Rivulets—Ports—Docks—Dry Docks.

With only looking over the map of the Republic, one gets an idea of its rich hydrography.

Sixteen rivers flow through the territory, all being joined by more than 500 rivulets that increase their size and current.

The principal rivers are the Plate and Uruguay, which bathe the coasts of the Republic, and the Rio Negro (the black river), which flows all through the center of the territory.

The River plate, at its mouth, between cape Santa Maria and cape San Antonio, is more than 206 kilometers wide; its superficies are calculated to be over 39,846 kilom.; its length 361 kilom.; its breadth, between Colonia and Buenos Ayres, a little more than 51 kilom.

The River Uruguay flows from N. to S., its length through the Republic is 530 kilom., its breadth from the Guazu down to the point of Fray Bentos varies from 10 to 15 kilom. After passing Fray Bentos[9] it becomes narrow, owing to the multitude of islands which form deep channels. In its normal state it runs three or four miles an hour. It is navigable up to Paysandu for ships of great tonnage, and up to Salto for coast trading boats.

The Rio Negro runs through the territory from N. W. to W., with an extension of 463 kilom. It is navigable for ships of small tonnage for 94 kilom., more or less.

The other thirteen rivers are: the Cuareim, the Arapey, the Dayman, the Queguay, the Tacuarembo, the Yi, the Yaguaron, the Tacuari, the Olimar Grande, the San Jose, the San Salvador and the Santa Lucia.

These powerful arteries, the waters of which are increased by numberless rivulets that empty into them, flow down to the remotest parts of the Republic and fertilize them.

The waters of the River Plate, till a little further up than Santa Lucia are salt; beyond this they always remain fresh.

The waters of the Uruguay, Rio Negro and other rivers of the interior have the property of petrifying animal and vegetable substances.

Along the 1,073 kilom. of maritime and fluvial coasts, which are counted from the mouth of the Cuareim River down to the River Chuy, are the principal ports of the Republic.

The most important ones are Maldonado, Montevideo and Colonia, on the coasts watered by the River Plate. There exist others of less importance, like those of Paloma, Coronilla, Castillos Grande, Buceo and also the bay, called the Englishman's Bay, (Ensenada del Ingles). Along the River Uruguay we find the ports Nueva Palmira, Carmelo, Independencia, Paysandu, Salto, Constitucion and Santa Rosa. Along the Rio Negro, those of Soriano and Mercedes; and along the San Salvador the port of San Salvador.

The principal port in the Republic is that of Montevideo. It is estimated as the best port on the River Plate, owing to its natural conditions. It has the shape of a horse-shoe, being the two extreme points, which form its entrance, some seven kilom. distant from one another.

The perimeter of the bay is ten kilom., and six hundred m. It offers ships a safe shelter, its entrance being towards the N. W. and its channel between 15 and 17 feet deep. The general depth of the bay is between 14 and 15 feet. The steamers cast anchor near the entrance of the port in the exterior bay where the depth gets to 25 feet.

The port of Montevideo is not only the anchoring ground of the ships that have to load and unload, but it is also the port where all of the ships stop on their way to the Pacific Ocean, and also all the men-of-war of the nations which have a naval station in the River Plate.

All the steamers of the rivers have their anchoring ground in front of the docks, where they all have their moorings at a distance of 125 m. from the wharf.

Being the principal port where the commercial and naval movement is most important, Montevideo counts with two beautiful dry docks, belonging to private persons, one of them is the Maua Dry Dock and the other one belongs to Jackson and Cibils. They have both been opened in the quick rock, and have for their service all the most modern machines, admitting ships of all tonnage.

Besides those two, there are a great many docks, dry docks and harbors, all over the bay and also in the ports of Salto and Colonia.

Minerals.

The territory of the Republic contains numberless riches not worked out yet, in precious metals, in copper, iron, lead, etc., in agate stone, rock, crystal, slate, calcareous stone, marble of all colors, which could advantageously rival with the marbles of Italy and Pyrenean mountains.

Rich marble quarries exist in the department of Minas, which could not have been worked before on account of the difficulties[10] for the transport, made easier and cheaper now days when the railway reaches to Minas 123 kilom. distant from the capital.

The Cunapiru gold region is now worked by the following societies:

Zapucay gold mines, with 20 crushing machines.

Uruguay gold fields, with 60 crushing machines.

Hermanos gold minings, with 20 crushing machines.

The French Uruguay gold mine company, the working of which is stopped for the present, has spent in the region mentioned more than three millions of dollars, and has established milldams in the rivers Cunapiru and Corrales so as to employ, for the grinding, a powerful hydraulic strength.

The working of the mines on a great scale is just beginning now without interruption.

During the last two years over 72,000 tons of quartz have been extracted and crushed, giving a result of over 420 kilog. of fine gold.

Mines of lead and copper and marble quarries are now worked in the departments of Minas and Maldonado.

The agate stone is exported as it is found in the Catalan hills, department of Salto, and there exists in Montevideo an agent of the house established in that department, where are sold the stones worked out into art objects.

In La Paz, near Montevideo, there exist quarries of red and blue granite, some beautiful pieces of which are employed as columns in some important buildings.

Stone is abundant in the Republic. Everywhere in Cerro, La Paz, Sauce, Colonia and other places they continually open new quarries which permit a considerable exportation for the works undertaken in Buenos Ayres and La Plata.

The Colonia quarries alone employ over two thousand workmen.

Vegetation.

The territory does not only count with its native trees the wood of which is employed in the industries and the rural economy; but all over its fertile soil do grow, reproducing themselves, and perfectly accustomed to the climate, nearly all the trees of the other regions.

Among the native trees there are the nandubay, that has the property of petrifying itself under the ground, the urunday, the lapacho, the viraro, the coronilla, the espinillo, quebracho, tala, araza, the carob-tree, the black laurel, the timbo, guaviyu, copal, the white, red, brown and yellow willow, the mataojo, paraiso, the wild acacia, the ceibo and many others, the wood of which may be employed for making all kinds of casks and buildings, and also for burning.

"The riches of the forests in this country," says Dr. Ordonana, perpetual secretary to the Rural Association, "belong to two distinct categories. The first one extends itself along the banks of the rivers and rivulets of the interior of the Republic, and the other is a consequence of the sediments, ground and sands brought down by the rivers that form the Plate, which, stopped by the banks of low Uruguay, give birth to plants like those described by clever botanists as Azara and Bomplan, as belonging to the regions of the Pilcomayo, Parana and Paraguay.

"The trees are generally represented by a great many out of which no wood can be made, and small shrubs that give fruits, used in other times by the natives, gums and resins, stuffs used for weaving and dyeing, and a great many twining plants, among which there are the hisipo, of yellow flowers, and also the ilex-mate.

"None of the plants we mention here have been considered, until now, worth being scientifically cultivated, although our Society has claimed for it many times, because, neither private persons nor private congregations, without the help of the[11] government, can afford the establishment and maintenance of experimental farms, which are the true guides for studies and observations.

"We have preferred here cultivating foreign trees, whilst we had here a great many much better than they, as for their wood, shade and elegance.

"The private efforts of men we cannot forget have changed the aspect of our forests and also of the cattle of the country, by enriching it with new seeds and new plants and employing the combined means of nature and of work."

In many departments the palm tree is found, also many kinds of fruit and ornamental trees. There are trees, shrubs and herbs with medicinal properties and good for dyeing and weaving, and also resinous, aromatic and alkaline ones.

The series of the plants with healing properties is long; there may be found the sarsaparilla, the marshmallow, the liquorice, the rhubarb, the camomile, the wild celery and many other plants, which it would be too long to enumerate here.

Among the fruit trees accustomed to this climate there are: the orange tree, the apple tree, the pear tree, the apricot tree, the pomegranate tree, the peach tree, the cherry tree, the lemon tree, the plum tree, the nut tree, the quince tree, the olive tree, the medlar tree, the almond tree, the chestnut tree, the fig tree, the date palm, etc., etc.

Among the other classes we find the poplar, the cypress, the elm, the oak, the plantain, the acacia, the eucalyptus, the cedar, the magnolia, the white mulberry tree, etc.

As for the cereals and vegetables, all kinds of them grow here perfectly and abundantly. Wheat, maize, barley, lucerne, are the principal rural products. The chick-pea, the French bean, the gray pea, the bean, the sugar-pea, the hastings, the lentils, the potatoes, the Spanish potatoes, the carrot, the radishes, the turnips, the pumpkins, the beet root, etc., and all kinds of pot herbs, the watermelons, the melon and the strawberry grow also abundantly.

The grape vine, the flax, the tobacco, the canary seed, the cotton, the anise-seed, the hemp, the currin seed, the peanuts and many other classes give good results. During these last years the nursing of the vine, the olive, the lucerne, and the tobacco has spread itself a great deal.

As for the flowers, there is such an immense variety of them and such a plenty that the Republic has deserved the name of "The country of sun and flowers." The industry of nosegays and crowns has reached an unheard-of development. Beside the garden plants that belong to the country, they nurse here all the varieties known in Europe.

The environs of Montevideo count a great many important establishments dedicated to the commerce of plants, ornamental and fruit trees, all of the most valuable kinds.

Animals.

The native animal reign counts thirty-nine families; among them we find the deer, the buck, the otter, the carpincho and many others, the skins of which are exported.

There are more than 500 species of birds, among them the ostrich, the white stork, the wood turkey, the swan, the water duck, the heath cock, the moor cock, the partridge, the wood pigeon, etc. Among the singing birds the varieties are innumerable. Among the fowl, they bring up all kinds of hens, the duck, the goose, the pigeon, the turkey, etc.

There are fourteen species of shells, and seven among the crustaceous.

As for fishes, there are to be found numerous and rich varieties of salt and fresh water ones. Large quantities of the first class are taken over to Buenos Ayres every day by the steamers. Pisiculture is destined to have a great development here.[12] An important fishery is already established on the coasts of Maldonado. The bringing up of salmon has already been tried. The only things wanting still are money and technical directions for the reproduction of the richest kinds of fishes, so as to supply with great advantage the Montevideo and Buenos Ayres markets.

The principal industry in the country is the cattle and horse-breeding, which, as will further on be seen, produces in a prodigious way. This industry was introduced into the country in the time of the conquest by the Spaniards.

Actually they improve and refine the cattle and horses by the crossing with the pure blood animals which continually come from Europe and the Argentine Republic. Already there exist important establishments with thoroughly pure blood animals born in the country, having already begun the wholesale of oxen and cows for consumption, and of horses for races and coach. The sheep are now a great deal finer. The improvement began in the year 1832, with two Negretti and Rambouillet rams, and this is the reason why the wool, for its good quality, is so much valued in European markets. Besides the merino sheep, a great many other races have been introduced, and among them some of very good flesh, like the Southdowns, of which there are already numerous herds.

Division of the Territory—Situation of the Departments—Centre of Population.

The territory is divided into nineteen departments. The superficial area of each of them is as follows:

In the centre of the territory are the departments of Durazno, Flores, Minas, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres, and Florida, surrounded by those of Artigas, Rivera and Cerro Largo, situated on the very frontier of Brazil; the Department of Rocha on the Atlantic Ocean; those of Maldonado, Canelones, Montevideo, San Jose and Colonia on the River Plate; and those of Soriano, Rio Negro, Paysandu and Salto on the River Uruguay.

All those departments count over a hundred centres of population, that is to say, seven towns, forty-eight villages, and thirty-nine colonies or smaller centres.

Political Organization.

Government.—The constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay establishes the representative republican system.

Sovereignty.—The sovereignty in all its fullness exists radically in the Nation, which has the exclusive right of establishing its own laws in the way determined by the Constitution.

Religion.—The Religion of the state is the Roman Apostolic Catholic Church. However, all dissident churches are tolerated and their religion can be freely practiced; the inhabitants enjoy the full liberty of thought.

[13]

High Powers.—The three high powers of the state are the legislative power, the executive power and the judicial power.

Legislative Powers.—This power is formed by two chambers, the Senate and Deputies' Chamber. The Senate is compounded with as many members as departments, these forming the political and administrative division of the Republic. The election is indirect.

The President of the Senate is the Vice-President of the Republic, and performs the functions of the first magistrate in case of absence, illness, resignation or death.

The Deputies' Chamber is composed of 69 members, directly elected by the people in the way determined by the law on elections.

Executive Power.—The executive power is represented by the President of the Republic, who is elected in a general assembly of the two chambers by nominal voting, being required the absolute majority of suffrages expressed on ballots which are publicly read out by the secretary. His functions last four years, and he cannot be re-elected unless four other years have passed.

The President appoints the Secretaries of State, or Ministers, who are five—one of Government, one of Fomento (Public Education, Commerce, Industry and Railways), one of Finance, one of War and Navy, and one of Foreign Affairs.

Delegates of the Executive Power.—In every town, the capital of a department, there is a delegate of the Executive Power called Political and Police Chief (Jefe politico y de policia), and entrusted to make his dispositions obeyed.

Judicial Power.—This power is composed of the High Court of Justice. But as this court has not yet been regularly established, the United Tribunals of Appeal, composed each of them of three members, perform the functions of the High Court. It is entrusted with the superintendence of all the other judges.

There exist in the Republic three Superior Judges (Jueces Letrados), for the civil, two for the commerce, one for the treasure, one for the criminal, and one for the correctional, and also nineteen ordinary judges for the departments.

Justice of the Peace.—There exist a justice of the peace and an attorney in every one of the sections into which are divided the departments. The members of the Justice of the Peace are elected by the people. They give sentence in all the affairs of small importance.

The law of the 11th of February, 1879, has created the Civil State Register in all the Republic, and the inscription in this Register has been made obligatory the 1st of July of the same year.

This Register is entrusted to the care of the Justice of the Peace, who performs the functions of Civil State Register Officer, and in it are inscribed all the births, marriages, deaths, recognizance and legitimation of the sons.

The law of the 22d of May, 1885, declared Civil Matrimony obligatory throughout all the Republic, no other one being acknowledged as legitimate besides the one celebrated according to the law and according to the dispositions established in the Civil State Registers of the 11th of February, 1879, and their regulation and laws of the 1st of June, 1880, and 1st of July, 1884.

Municipality (Junta Economico-Administrativa.)—There exists a Junta or Municipality in each department. The members of the municipality are elected by the people, and they are entrusted with the care of the municipal interests. The Montevideo municipality has a very great importance, being entrusted with the care of all the municipal services except that of the police.

Citizenship.—The citizens of the state are either natural or legal. Natural are all those born in the territory; legal, all the foreigners who ask for citizenship,[14] after having proved their residence in the country for a determined time.

All the citizens, whether natural or legal, enjoy the right of voting and may be elected in certain conditions.

The constitution of the Republic sworn on the 18th of July, 1830, among other articles, contains the following ones:

Art. the 130th. The inhabitants of the state have a right to be protected in their life, honor, liberty, security and property. Nobody can be deprived of these rights, but according to the laws.

Art. the 131st. In the territory of the state nobody can be a slave by birth; the slave trade and introduction of slaves are forever forbidden in the Republic.

Art. the 132d. All men are equal before the law, be it preceptive, penal or defensive; the only distinction acknowledged is that of talent and virtue.

Art. the 134th. The private actions of men, that do not by any way attack the public order nor harm any third person, belong only to God, and, therefore, remain beyond the authority of the magistrates. No inhabitant of the state will be obliged to do what the law does not bid, neither prevented from doing what the law does not forbid.

Art. the 141st. Thoroughly free is the communication of thought, by words, private writings, or publications in the public papers, whatever be the subjects, without requiring any previous censure; the only responsible person is the author, or, in his stead, the printer, whenever the writing be abusive, according to the law.

Art. the 146th. All the inhabitants of the state may undertake any work, industry or commerce they like, provided they do not harm the public order or the other citizens' rights.

Art. the 147th. The entrance into the territory of the Republic is free to any one, as also his staying in it or going away with his goods, provided he respect the police laws and do not harm any third person.

Language and Customs.

The national language is the Spanish tongue. However, nearly all the languages are known in the Republic, on account of the great number of foreigners established here, and the great number of them who have continuous relations with the country.

Nearly every native who has received a fairly good instruction speaks some foreign language. In Montevideo, where continually stop boats of all nations, the practice of French, Italian, English and German is quite general.

In nearly every department in the Republic, and above all in Montevideo, exist a great many good schools belonging to the above mentioned nations.

The foreigner who treads the Uruguay soil does not miss the customs of his own country, since the ones he meets here are nearly the same as in the principal European cities.

A great many years of continuous communication with all the nations of the world has made, that the customs of all the civilized nations are quite familiar to the natives.

Population—Its Density.

In the Statistical Annuary corresponding to the year 1891 the population of the Republic has been calculated thus:

In the year 1829 the population of the Republic was 74,000 souls, and in the year 1879, 438,245.

The increase of the population has produced itself according to the following proportions:

The increase of the population during the year 1891, if compared with the population in 1879, is of 269,923 souls, that is to say, 61.59 per cent.

If we add to the total of inhabitants during the year 1891 a 6 per cent. on account of the omissions which probably took place in the calculations (omission of inscriptions of births, of declarations in the lists of passengers, etc.), we have a population for the whole Republic of, more or less, 750,658 inhabitants.

Dividing the population into nationalities we see that out of a hundred inhabitants there are 70 natives and 30 foreigners. In Montevideo, however, the proportion varies, being of 53 natives and 47 foreigners.

The density of the population throughout the Republic is of 3.78 inhabitants for each square kilometre.

The Department of Montevideo, which has the smallest superficial area, is the most peopled of all the Republic, (353.44 inhabitants for each square kilometre); in it resides nearly the third part of the population of the country. Next to Montevideo, the Department of Canelones is the most peopled, (13.63 inhabitants for each square kilometre.)

The above mentioned results are an evident proof that the territory of the Republic is still very little peopled, and that there is very easily room enough in it for many millions of inhabitants.

Although the density of the population be but of 3.78 inhabitants for each square kilometre, it is, however, superior to the density of the population in the Argentine Republic, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay and Nicaragua, none of which get to that figure.

Movement of the Population.

From the year 1887 till the year 1891 have taken place in the Republic:

So as to appreciate better the rank occupied by the Republic among the other countries as regards the movement of the[16] population, the following figures may be considered as points of comparison:

Therefore the births in the Republic prove to be in a greater proportion than in any of the mentioned countries, Austria being excepted, while the deaths, with the exception of Sweden and Norway, is in a smaller proportion, as also the marriages, Ireland being excepted.

This great number of births and the corresponding diminution in the figures of death prove how easy is the purchase of the elements necessary to life; and how very excellent are the climate and the salubrity in the Republic.

Movement of Passengers.

Though the Republic has many ports Montevideo is, nevertheless, where takes place the greatest concourse of passengers.

The movement from abroad and from the Argentine and Uruguay coasts has given the following results:

The diminution which begins in the year 1890 is due to the economical crisis that began in that year, and the consequences of which are still to be felt.

Immigration.

The territory of the Republic being abundant in all natural resources and elements necessary to make easy any kind of work or industry one chooses to undertake, and the immigrant getting very soon accustomed to a climate and customs very little different from those of his own country, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay offers therefore all kinds of advantages to the honest and laborious immigrant who comes here in search of a remuneration greater than that he can earn in his own country.

Thus is explained the large number of foreigners of all nationalities who have chosen this country as their second countryland, settling themselves here definitely and partaking with their families a wealth which allows them a good living, and is the base of their future modest or great fortune.

In spite of the political disorders, the time of which, it may be said, has passed, and in spite of the economical crisis that, with more or less intensity, are common to all the countries that rapidly advance and progress, the Oriental Republic has always seen a great and constant affluence of arms and capital, that have contributed in a few years to display powerfully its productive energy, to create establishments and manufactures which, with their products, have increased the relations of exchange with all the markets of the world.

Although the present times be not very favorable to the immigratory movement, the country is bound to recover soon, very soon, from the disorders suffered during the last crisis.

Our own history, and also that of the other American nations, teach us that in a[17] period of restrictions in business and settling accounts, the immigration always diminishes, but increases again as soon as it begins to feel the first symptoms of reaction towards a period of prosperity.

The following figures demonstrate the oscillations in the immigratory movement, coinciding with critical or prosperous periods:

Immigratory Movement in the Port of Montevideo from 1867 to 1891.

The different nations to which belonged the immigrants that presented themselves to the General Emigration and Immigration Office in search of work, during the above-mentioned years are as follows:

Immigration has come here of its own accord, during times of prosperity; but the government has also tried to call it here by making easier the coming of immigrants from Europe, and their being led into the interior of the country, and also by giving land to colonists or by exhonerating others from all duties and taxes, either direct or indirect.

During the years hereafter mentioned the government has given the following number of passages to immigrants who required them:

The immigrant enjoys here a complete and perfect liberty. Being a foreigner he owes no service whatever to the state. Dedicated to work, he is always respected, and wherever he may go in the Republic, he is always sure to find some of his countrymen who, knowing well the country and talking his own language, will give him all the information and references he may require. Besides this, on landing, he always finds interpreters who give him all the explanations he may need.

[18]

Wages.

The wages which are generally earned are according to the professions, more or less, as follows:

Apprentices—Boarding and clothes, generally, per month.

Nurses—From $6 to $12 per month, with lodging and board.

Bakers—From $18 to $36 per month, without board.

Brewers—From $40 to $50 per month, without board.

Wheelrights—From $1.50 to $2.50; workmen 80c. to $1.00 per day, without board.

Chairmakers—From $1.60 to $2 per day, without board.

Brickmakers—From $1.00 to $1.20 per day, with board.

Hatmakers—From $18 to $22 per month, without board.

Carpenters—From $1.40 to $2.30 per day, without board.

Carters—From $16 to $24 per month, without board.

Braziers—From $50 to $80 to $100 per month, without board.

Colliers and Firemen—From $20 to $27 per month, without board.

Cigarettemakers—$1.20 per day, without board.

Cigarmakers—From $1.50 to $1.80 per day, without board.

Coachmen—From $20 to $25 per month, without board.

Hairdressers—From $14 to $20 per month, with board.

Stagecoachmen—From $35 to $40 per month, without board.

Confectioners—From $20 to $40 to $60 per month, without board.

Foremen—From $30 to $35 per month, without board.

Boltmakers—From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.

Shoemakers—From $15 to $20 per month, with board.

Seamstresses—From 60c. to 80c. per day, with board.

Cooks (women)—From $12 to $16 per month, with lodging and board.

Cooks (men)—From $15 to $35 per month, with lodging and board.

Servants, in general—From $10 to $18 per month, with board and lodging.

Cabinetmakers—From $1.50 to $2.00 per day, without board.

Gilders—$2.00 per day, without board.

Brush and Broommakers—From $1.00 to $1.20 per day, without board.

Reapers—From $10 to $15 per month, with board.

Tinmen—From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.

Blacksmiths—From $1.50 to $1.60; help, $1.10 per day, without board.

Waiters (coffee houses, hotels.)—From $15 to $20 per month, with lodging and board.

Lackeys, Footmen—From $15 to $20 per month, with lodging and board.

Watchmakers—From $40 to $60 per month, without board.

Gardeners—From $18 to $30 per month, without board.

Day Laborers, in general—From 80c. to $1.00 per day, without board.

Machinists—In printing houses, $80; on board steamers, 1st machinist, $180; 2nd machinist, $115; 3rd machinist, $90 per month.

Masons—From $1.80 to $2.20; workmen, from $1.00 to $1.20 per day, without board.

Marblecutters and Polishers—From $1.20 to $1,50 per day, without board.

Mattressmakers—From $12 to $15 per month, with board.

Sailors, Mariners—From $15 to $20 per month, with board.

Mechanics—From $60 to $100 to $150 per month, without board.

Milliners—From $20 to $30 per month, without board.

Wet-nurses—From $20 to $30 per month, without board.

Pastry Cooks—From $35 to $40 per month, without board.

[19]

Fishermen—From $20 to $25 per month, without board.

Painters—From $1.20 to $2.50 per day, without board.

Photographers—From $35 to $55 per month, without board.

Potters—From $1.50 to $2.00 per day, with board.

Schoolmasters—From $30 to $60 per month, with board.

Firework-makers—From $16 to $17 per month, without board.

Bookbinders—From $30 to $35 per month, without board.

Sawyers—From $1.80 to $2.00 per day, without board.

Saddlers—From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.

Locksmiths—From $1.50 to $1.80 per day, without board.

Tailors—From $20 to $30 per month, without board.

Stonecutters—From $1.20 to $1.60 per day, without board.

Turners—From $1.80 to $2.50 per day, without board.

Dyers—From $15 to $35 per month, without board.

Bookkeepers—From $50 to $200 per month, without board.

Coopers—From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.

Typographers—From $40 to $45 per month, without board.

Basketmakers—From $1.00 to $1.20 per day, without board.

Glaziers—From $1.20 to $1.50 per day, without board.

The working day consists of eleven hours, an hour being discounted for dinner and resting.

The rent of the lodgings for workpeople in the town is five or seven dollars per month.

Territorial Property.

According to the declarations made in the year 1882 for the payment of the contribution tax, called the Immovable Contribution, the value of the property in the Republic rose to $211,991,679.00.

In the year 1890, eight years later, although the cattle and some other products were declared free from contribution tax the value of property was $265,871,559, an increase of $53,879,880.

The number of proprietors in 1882 were 39,590, and in the year 1890 50,189, an increase of 10,599.

By nationalities, the proprietors in 1890 were in the following proportion:

Natives, 24,946, or 49.70 per cent.

Foreigners 25,243, or 50.30 per cent.

The declared value according to nationalities was as follows:

The capital by nationalities gives the following proportion:

Native $129,130,344, or 48.57 per cent.

Foreign $136,741,315, or 51.43 per cent.

Out of the declared values Montevideo represents 13,812 proprietors and $128,280,000.00; to the other departments, 36,377 proprietors and $137,591,559.00.

Transfer of Property.

The operations, which during the following years, have been declared in the Registers for the purchase and sale[20] of immovable properties, give the following totals:

Mortgages.

From the year 1888 to the year 1891 the yearly capital put out at interest with securities on land has been:

How Easily One Becomes a Land Owner.

There exist in Montevideo great agencies, like the one called the "Industrial" created in the year 1874, by Mr. Francis Piria, the sole object of which is to make easy the division of the property in the capital and the neighborhood, by purchasing large zones of land and by dividing them into square cuadras, or fractions of over four English acres, when they belong to the town district, and into the best possible form outside.

This agency has created many villages out of the Department of Montevideo, as "Recreo de las Piedras," "Joaquin Suarez," "Buenos Ayres," "Bella Italia" and many others.

The centres of population created by the "Industrial" are over a hundred; some of them have been aggregated to the town district, everyone of them becoming important centres, on account of the number of the inhabitants, and of the increasing value of the land, sold formerly very cheap, and payable at the rate of $2.00 per month.

All the fractions of land have generally been bought by work-people who have built their own houses.

According to the general balance and informations collected down to the year 1891, the "Industrial" agency had made 52,317 proprietors, and the fractions of land sold up to that time were 183,000, the result of the sale being $79,411. The number of houses was 8000.

Those who bought some of those fractions of land a few years ago, payable in the above mentioned conditions, at the rate of 20 or 25 cents per metre, are now-a-days owners of properties which are worth two, three, four and five times more.

The very same thing happens in the colonies or agricultural centres established in many departments of the Republic, the founders of which have given to the settlers all kinds of easy means for establishing themselves.

Families of work-people that had arrived here with nothing but the means of facing the very first necessities have become, after a few years, owners of the land they had bought, payable monthly, and having increased their possessions by buying new land, they have enlarged the sphere of their operations and are now able to work over their own properties in a fully independent and easy situation.

The advantages of such a system will be easily understood.

With what a workman or settler pays monthly for the rent of the land, he makes himself, after a short time, the owner of the land and of the house he lives in, as the monthly rent redeems with a small interest the value of the property.

In such conditions great many people are known who enjoy all these advantages, and many more, who being the proprietors of the land purchased in such a way have made small fortunes.

There cannot be a better way imagined of fixing the immigrants or giving to the peasant all the means of becoming a proprietor[21] and of consecrating himself to highly profitable agricultural industries.

Value of the Land.

The population has not yet reached a great density. The best part of the territory is destined to cattle, sheep, and horse breeding, in establishments called estancias. A suerte or estancia is equivalent to 1992 hectares 2787 metres, or one league and a half in length by a half league in width, or three quarters of a square league or 4,923 square acres 333 square yards.

The price of a suerte varies according to the department and also to its situation. The lowest price of a suerte is generally no less than $7,000 and rises above $50,000 in the departments quite close to the capital, that are still devoted to pastoral land.

In the north, next to the frontier, land may be purchased at the rate of $3 to $10 an hectare.

In the centre, from $6 to $15.

In the south, the land rises to higher prices, which vary from $10 to $100 per hectare.

The agricultural land in the environs of towns and villages, and in the departments of Canelones, Colonia, Soriano, San Jose, Paysandu, Salto costs $10, $20, $40, $50 and $100 an hectare. In the department of Montevideo it rises to $100, $200 and $300, according to the situation.

There are no restrictions or difficulties in purchasing or transfer.

Great companies established abroad, above all in England, and others in the Republic have purchased great tracts of land in order to improve cattle breeding, agriculture, sand and stone extraction along the banks of the River Plate and Uruguay, and other important rural industries.

During these last two years the agricultural industry has notably spread itself, above all that of cereals, forage, firewood trees, vine, olive trees, tobacco and oleoginous and textile plants.

The lowest rate at which a suerte of land for cattle feeding can be hired is $400 a year. There are fields, however, that can produce two, three and four times more. The hectare of agricultural land may be hired at a yearly price of $1.20. In some departments, like that of Canelones, where the agricultural industry has improved a great deal, the yearly renting is $4.00 and more.

The land pays the property tax or Contribucion Inmobiliaria, at the uniform rate of 6½ per thousand in relation with the value that the law has fixed to the land according to the departments.

Agriculture.

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is an essentially pastoral country.

Its fields, covered with good and nutritive grass, are nearly all of them divided into estancias for cattle breeding, that, to the present time, is the principal source of riches of the country.

Agriculture, however, has already reached a high degree of importance in the departments of Montevideo, Canelones, Colonia, San Jose, Soriano, Paysandu, Salto, Florida, Durazno, Maldonado. It is not quite so important in the other departments as in the three first ones. However, in the environs of the villages and centres of population, there are great many farms and agricultural centres that produce cereals and vegetables for local consumption. The exceeding crop, in the prosperous years, is immediately sent to the principal commercia centres of the Republic, which allows the export of corn, flour, wheat, canary-seed, flax, trefoil, barley, etc.

Although the Republic counts with a fertile soil, and finds itself in the very best conditions for any kind of agricultural industry, agriculture, however, remains still in a secondary degree, in spite of its[22] late improvements, and in spite of the large extension of land which began last year to be cultivated.

However, after all the necessities of the country have been satisfied there generally remains an important surplus of agricultural and rural products, when the crop is good, that may be calculated over $1,200,000.00.

The wheat grown in Uruguay is reputed to be the best in all South America, and effectively got the gold medal in the Universal Paris Exhibition in the year 1878.

In this country one fanega of wheat (the fanega is equivalent to 105 or 113 kilogs more or less) produces sometimes from 20 to 30 fanegas; one of maize produces from 150 to 200, one of barley from 18 to 30.

Besides wheat and maize, the sowing of which is most important, the grape vine, the olive, tobacco, flax, canary-seed, hemp, chick-pea, beans of all kinds, potatoes, (two crops a year,) peas, lentils, Spanish potatoes, beet-roots, etc., etc., are also cultivated with very good results.

As we have said, the vegetables are produced in a great variety and abundance.

The tobacco culture is also a new source of wealth opened to the economical movement of the country. Although this industry still goes rather slowly, there are already many establishments in the interior where it has been undertaken with very good results.

Agricultural Centres.

Many are the agricultural centres, generally known by the name of colonies, established all over the Republic, that, owing to the special conditions of the land which is fit for all cultures, have notably improved.

Among the principal colonies, or agricultural settlements, there are:

1st. The Valdense Colony, founded in 1858. It has an area of 19,432 square cuadras (14,338 hectares 5,035 metres).

Its population in 1884 was 306 families, forming a total of 1,681 inhabitants. To-day, there are more than 2,200 inhabitants. It possesses the best agricultural machinery, steam-mills, and steam and water mills, good carpenters, blacksmiths, and in a word all the establishments necessary to the unceasing progress of such agricultural centres. It has two Evangelical churches, a public library with over a thousand books, eight schools, a postoffice, a municipal commission and a police office.

2d. Swiss, Quevedo and Spanish Colonies. The Swiss Colony was founded in 1863. It has an area of 8,782 square cuadras, or 6,480 hectares, 709 metres. The Quevedo Colony has an area of 5,091 square cuadras, or 3,756 hectares and 5,521 metres, and the Spanish Colony 9,600 square cuadras, or 7,083 hectares, 6,576 metres.

These three agricultural centres form a total of 17,320 hectares, over which live more than 420 families. They possess steam-mills, schools, many commercial establishments. In the Swiss Colony there are two churches—a Catholic and Protestant. The public administration of these settlements consist of a municipal commission, a justice of peace and an attorney. They also have a postoffice.

3d. Sauce Colony. The first settlers who cultivated the soil in this agricultural centre were some Swiss people who, in the year 1879, hired the land where it now exists, In the years 1880 and 1881 other families came and settled themselves close to the first ones. In 1883, thirty families more came from the Valdense Colony; so that in 1884 the Sauce Colony counted 59 families.

4th. Riachuelo Colony. It is 10 kilometres distant, eastward, from Colonia del Sacramento. The first settlers have paid for all the land they had bought, being now the sole owners of it.

The formation and improvements of this colony are owed to the mere intelligence and work of the settlers. The land is of a[23] very good quality and especially fit for wheat. The other plants like maize, barley, beans, potatoes, etc., give also a very good result. The settlers are mostly foreigners; and most of them are Italians. The colony possesses a large public building, which is destined to be the school and the church; besides this, it has also a national school of the first degree. The steam-mill that exists works only for the colony.

The above-mentioned colonies are situated in the Department of Colonia, and besides those, there are also the Arrue and Belgrano Colonies.

5th. Nuevo Berlin Colony. In the Department of Rio Negro there exists, since a few years, the Nuevo Berlin Colony. It has over 1,033 hectares in full culture, and possesses steam ploughs and all kind of agricultural machinery.

6th. Porvenir Colony. The colonies in the Department of Paysandu are the Villa Rosalia and Esperanza colonies, of recent foundation, and the so-called Porvenir colony. This last one is the most important one, counting already over 1,690 inhabitants. The languages spoken in the colony are Spanish and Italian. The soil cannot be better, and is fit for all kinds of culture. It possesses steam and water mills, a threshing Rausanes machine and a Hornsby. It has three schools—a public one and two private ones—and many societies, every one of them working for the improvement of the colony, and also other societies, the object of which is the purchase of all the necessary agricultural machinery. The public administration consists of a justice of peace, two attorneys, a police officer and a postoffice.

7th. General Rivera Colony. It is situated in the Department of Artigas, and has an extension of 4,987 hectares, over which they cultivate tobacco, maize, mani and mandioca; it counts now over a hundred families.

8th. Francisco Aguilar and Francisco Dastre Colonies. They are situated in the Department of Maldonado. The executive power, in the year 1883, ordered the necessary studies to be made for the demarcation of the land where the Francisco Aguilar Colony was to be established. Out of the 2,114 hectares which formed it, 1,359 were destined to general cattle feeding ground, and 755 to ploughing. The administration of the colony is intrusted to a directive commission.

In the year 1884 was established the Francisco Dastre Colony, in which 368 hectares are destined to ploughing and 59 to cattle feeding.

9th. Santa Teresa Colony. Situated in the Department of Rocha and founded on June 24th, 1885; it has 5,534 hectares, more or less.

10th. Igualdad Colony. It was founded in 1875, in the Department of Minas. It has a church and a school.

11th. Harriague, San Antonia and Lavalleja Colonies. In the Department of Salto exist the colonies called, "Harriague," "San Antonio," "Lavalleja," "Cosmopolita" and "Estrella" that have all been founded a short time ago.

The Harriague colony has an area of 1860 square cuadras, or 1372 hectares. The principal culture is wheat and maize.

The San Antonio colony was founded by the government. The land was divided into small estancias or chacras, or farms of 20 cuadras, more or less, each, that were given to some old servants of the state and settlers and are now consecrated to the sowing of cereals.

The Lavalleja colony was founded in a field of government land, and occupied by many native families. The government ordered the land to be divided into chacras, every one of them being given to the first settlers and some old servants as a reward for their services.

12th. Paullier Colony. In the department of San Jose is situated the colony of Paullier Brothers, founded in the year 1883. Its extension is 6,298 square cuadras or 4,647 hectares. In 1884 its population was 400 inhabitants; now it may be[24] calculated to be more than 500. The quality of the soil cannot be better. The cheeses of this colony are the best made in the country, and constitute an important industry. The cows are all of good breed, and besides them the colony possesses a large number of valuable animals imported directly from Europe and bred and fed under shed.

13th. Rio Negro Colony. This colony is situated in the tenth district of the department of Tacuarembo, between the Rio Negro and the rivulets Cardozo and Cacique grande. It has a superficies of 38,216 square cuadras, (28,198 hectares, 8,602 metres), out of which 1,249 square cuadras, (921 hectares, 6,133 metres) form the district of the village called "Teniente General M. Tajes"; the remaining part is divided into 361 chacras or farms.

The area of each chacra varies from 29½ to 88½ hectares.

A third part of the chacras are already occupied, and although the colony is of a quite recent foundation the results obtained by the settlers cannot be hoped to be better. The colony possesses already six dairies. It is sure to become, very soon, one of the most important agricultural settlements, on account of its good situation, which permits the easy exporting of its products by the railway, not only to the interior of the Republic but also to the very frontier of Brazil.

The land is very good for plowing, on account, also, of its situation and of the many rivers that run through it, and is quite fit for the sowing of wheat and maize, and also for the culture of tobacco and the grape vine.

The village "Maximo Tajes" that belongs to the same colony has a railway station, a fruit market, a public square, a postoffice, a police-office, and very soon they are going to build a church and a school.

14th. Antonio Crespo Colony. It was founded in 1891 in the sixth district of the department of Tacuarembo, in the place called "Aldea," a league and a half distant from San Fructuoso.

15th. Stajano Colony. In the department of Durazno and at a short distance of the so-called town, the capital of the department, was recently founded a new colony, called "Stajano Colony." It has an area of 7,378 hectares and between 300 and 400 inhabitants; all along the river Yi it possesses many thick woods. The railway station is only one kilometre distant from the town.

During these last two years, in all the rural districts devoted to cattle feeding, they have everywhere begun preserving part of the land for the culture of cereals, potatoes, etc. ... forages and trees fit for cutting and burning. Thus the production of the land has been increased still, and also the rural activity, preparing a total transformation in the cattle feeding and general rural industry of the country.

16th. Piriapolis. So as to give an idea of what the collective capital can do and what results all undertakings may obtain, the object of which is to foment agricultural industry and colonization, something is to be said here of what has already been done by that intelligent and indefatigable business man, Mr. Francisco Piria.

At a distance of some 140 kilometres from Montevideo, by land, and 50 miles by river, over a superficies of 1,992 hectares, among very picturesque hills, watered by the River Plate and bounded northward by the ridge of hills of Pan de Azucar, lies the new establishment called Piriapolis, divided into two large fractions, one of which is devoted to general culture and various industries, and the other intended to be a bathing town, with its own port, a beautiful bay, and a large, neat and secure harbor.

Piriapolis was founded, at the most, two years ago, still it already possesses a large building for the direction of the colony, houses for two hundred workmen, 400 kilometres of land all surrounded by iron wire fencing, many natural wells, and[25] brick ovens. They have also begun the drilling of many artesian wells.

The plantations are 80 hectares, planted with vines (the plants are 2 and 3 years old); three millions of vine-shoot of the best varieties; a nursery with 200,000 olive trees; another nursery with a million of plants, ash trees, maple trees, acacias, etc., ... 300,000 trees to be planted next autumn in the streets and avenues of the bathing town. Groves of eucalyptuses, acacias and other quick-growing trees have already been planted all around the town, covering an extension of 400 hectares.

Two hundred and sixty hectares have been sowed with wheat, beans, French beans, Spanish beans, potatoes and other vegetables.

Great plantations of fruit trees have also been made, and the culture of tobacco has been tried over 80 hectares.

Next year 50 houses more are going to be built, and also a church, a school, a municipal house and a police office.

When all these works are concluded then will take place the solemn inauguration of Piriapolis.

The soil in Piriapolis is very good. The bed of humus or arable ground is 30 centim., and sometimes 1 met., 20 centim. deep. In some parts there are beneath that bed of humus other large beds of carbonate of lime, from one to two metres thick.

There are various springs of mineral waters, the properties of which have been officially recognized.

Among the natural extractive riches of the colony, there are some 300 hectares of forests, the trees of which are between five and six metres high. The cutting of trees has already begun, and a result may be hoped of 6,000 carts of wood, that will give a liquid product of $1.20 each cart.

There are also beautiful granite quarries, with pieces of stone some metres high. The granite of Piriapolis can be extracted and cut very easily. Its price is hardly 20 per cent. of what it generally costs in the other quarries. A contract has been recently made for the purchase of 20,000 posts, 1^m 80 high, by 0^m 25 thick, at the rate of 15c. each. The Directive Commission intends to work the quarries on a great scale, and to establish the working of the stone.

Actually, in Piriapolis port, they have begun to build a quay, a 100 m. long. The depths of the bay varies between 4 and 7 fathoms, at a distance of some 250 m. from the coast.

A road is already opened to public service. It is 30 m. broad and on each side of it a double row of trees has been planted. This road puts Piriapolis in communication with the rest of the Department of Maldonado, and will be useful for the trade and commerce of the Department of Minas.

Piriapolis is actually a reunion of farms and a territorial speculation, which is called to foment the density of the population and also the improvement of all kind of production; it divides the land and gives it every day more value, making it every day more productive by its agricultural industries, and also by the foundation of that bathing town, which secures a great consumption of the products, whilst at the same time the River Plate and the ocean permit the easy exporting of the same.

The Grape-Vine in the Republic.

The culture of the vine is improving a great deal in the Republic owing to the good results obtained by those, who some years ago, tried the establishing of vine plots, which is now one of the most important industries of the country and will soon be an inexhaustible source of riches for the Republic.

Since a few years, great many people have consecrated important areas of their lands to the establishing of vine-plots, and to-day the extension of land covered with them is more than 2,000 hectares,[26] the greatest part of which are already producing.

Many societies have been created for fomenting that new industry, among which we may mention the Viticola Uruguaya with a capital of $120,000 and the Viticola Saltena with a capital $200,000.

The Viticola Uruguaya counts with:

Vine-Plots.

Land.

Other Plantations.

Materials for Construction.

Existing materials          $800.00

Buildings and Cellars.

Although the culture of the vine was introduced into the country a great many years ago by Mr. F. Vidiella in the South, and Mr. Harriague in the North, it may be said that it is only six years ago since this culture has been really improved and spread with great intensity all over the Republic.

The actual products of the best vine-plots may be calculated for each vintage over 6,000 barrels, that is to say over 1,400,000 litres, without counting the small vine-plots that, however, gives a fair contingent for domestic consumption.

Owing to this production and also to the diminution in the consumption on account of the crisis of 1890, an important diminution is noted in the year 1891 in the importation of ordinary wines.

After a few years more the importation of ordinary wines from France, Spain and Italy will be reduced to nearly nothing.

A vine-plot, 30 hectares large and 14 years old, has given a liquid product, free from all duties, of $20,000.

Therefore, owing to the advantages that the country presents for the culture of the vine, and owing also to the vigorous impulse given to that culture during the last few years, it may be said that the day is not far remote in which the Uruguay fields will be covered with vine-plots, producing all sorts of wines, not only for local consumption, but also for exportation to Brazil and the Argentine Republic.

Uruguay Rural Association.

Under this name there exists since the year 1871, in Montevideo, an important institution dedicated to protecting the rural rights and interests, and propagating all the sciences that may be useful to agriculture, cattle-breeding and all other rural industries. The Association is the editor of an interesting publication which, with the same name as that of the society, is issued twice a month. The members of the Association continually study all that may be of interest for the progress and improvement of agriculture, cattle-feeding and all rural industries; and their studies have been extremely useful to the country.

Among the services rendered by the Uruguay Rural Association may be mentioned the compiling of the Rural Code, which is considered now as one of the laws of the nation. This "Rural Code" entrusts to the Association the rural administration of the country, and the Government consults its members over all that concerns the rural interests.

[27]

The Association possesses a large library with all the papers, reviews and books concerning rural industries. Frequently some of the members deliver lectures, which are afterwards published in the Review.

Cattle.

The war which ended in the year 1851, and, on account of its duration, was called the "Guerra Grande" (the great war), and the siege of Montevideo during nine years, contributed in a notable way to produce a diminution in the quantity of cattle and flocks which existed before in the Republic.

The census one year after that war (1852) only gave as the number of live stock 3,858,176, thus distributed: 1,888,622 cattle, 1,127,069 horses, 19,490 asses and mules, 796,289 sheep, 25,300 pigs, and 1,406 goats.

Eight years after (1860) when the second census was made, according to the declarations made for the payment of the Direct Contribution, there were 6,159,909 animals—that is to say: 3,632,203 cattle, 518,208 horses, 8,301 asses and mules, 1,939,929 sheep, 5,831 pigs, and 5,437 goats.

In 1886, when the farmers had still to pay the tax, according to the declarations, there were 23,967,263 animals—6,254,490 cattle, 17,245,977 sheep, 442,525 horses, 7,032 mules, 5,405 goats and 11,833 pigs.

These last figures, if compared with the former ones, prove an increase of 2,301,733 animals, or 59.65 per cent. over 1852, in favor of 1860; and of 20,109,087 animals, or 21.20 per cent. over 1852, in favor of 1886.

This increase could produce itself, notwithstanding the great quantity of animals killed every year for consumption, slaughter of the Saladeros and exportation of live stock, which represent considerable quantities.

If we bear in mind the increase that corresponds to every kind of live stock in these last years, and the quantities of animals possessed by many thousands of inhabitants who do not pay any tax for them, it may be said that the number of live stock and the value it represents in the Republic is more or less, as follows:

If we distribute the 32,347,000 of live stock of all kinds over the 186,920 kilometres which is the total superficies of the Republic, we find for each square kilometre 173.05 animals; if we distribute them among the 708,168 inhabitants, we find that 45.67 animals of all kinds correspond to each inhabitant.

As regards the value represented by live stock and corresponding to each inhabitant, we find $103.13 for each.

The following table shows what place the Republic occupies among other nations:

The rather cruel experience acquired during the crisis of the year 1890, the effects of which are still to be felt, has opened new ways to the economical activity of the country, and has given a new impulse to all agricultural pursuits. Notwithstanding the scarcity of capital and the difficulties of the ways of communication, the cattle feeding has improved a great deal, with the sowing of hay and[28] pasture of all kinds, and with the crossing of the best varieties cattle imported from Europa or bred in many important national farms.

The improvement of the varieties, in order to obtain better flesh, fat, milk, butter, wool and hides, and the taming of all the native animals, is absolutely necessary, and therefore is a powerful attraction for those who would come over to this country and dedicate themselves to cattle feeding and breeding, being sure, beforehand, of getting good profits by exporting live animals and also dead animals, by the frigorific system, to the Brazilian and European markets.

The last two years have not been very favorable to cattle industry; but the present year shows itself as if going to be very propitious to that industry, which is in such a perfect harmony with the excellent qualities of our natural fields and meadows.

Here, no pest, no contagious disease is to be feared for the cattle. The forage and water are wholesome, nutritive and pure; the climate cannot be better.

With such conditions as these, it will be easily understood why cattle industry gives a profit of more than 20 per cent. and why it is generally a sufficient compensation to the scarce production of the bad years produced by an excessive dryness or a transitory diminution in the consumption of Brazil and Europe.

Slaughter in the Saladeros.

Killing Season in the Killing Grounds.

There exist various saladeros or killing grounds in the Department of Montevideo and along the coasts of the Uruguay. Some of them are very important.

There they dry the flesh, prepare the tasajo or dried meat, salt the hides, burn the bones and elaborate extracts of meat.

To prove the importance of the faena or killing season in those establishments in the Republic of Uruguay, we give the following comparative table:

ANIMALS KILLED IN THE SALADEROS.

A description of every one of the saladeros that exist in the Republic cannot be given here, being so limited in the space to be disposed of; however, it is necessary to make known the importance of the great establishment for elaborating the extract of meat by the Liebig system.

The establishment is situated on the coast of the River Uruguay, and is known to be the first establishment of its kind, not only in the River Plate, but also in all South America. The following lines will give an idea of it.

Two kilometres southward from Villa Independencia, in Fray-Bentos, Department of Rio Negro, is the great establishment of "Liebig's Extract of Meat Co." which forms by itself an important center of population.

It was founded in the year 1864 by M. Gibert. The first exportation of 230 kilogs of extract of meat got to Antwerp in November of the same year, and Baron Liebig declared that it surpassed all his hopes. Soon over 918 kilogs were exported monthly. In the year 1866 the Company was founded in London, and M.[29] Gibert had all the machinery made in Scotland for the establishment, which began working in May, 1868. All the world knows now the extract, and its use is everywhere adopted, in the hospitals as well as in the barracks. At the Paris Exhibition in 1867 the highest prizes were given to M. Gibert for his Extractum Carnis, this extract being the only product out of 75,000 sent to the Exhibition rewarded with two gold medals. In Vienna also in 1873 it won the great gold medal over all the other systems employed in Australia and other countries. M. Gibert died in 1874. The establishment has gone on as prosperous as ever.

It possesses great and valuable buildings with powerful steam engines to put in motion the great machines destined to all the different preparations. The galpon or shed where the animals are skinned and cut up is a first-class one and permits the killing of 1,000 animals per diem. During the killing season of 1891 208,800 animals were killed, and in 1892 156,200. The extract exported during the year 1890, represents, according to the customhouse statistics, 820,670 kilogs, and during 1891, 711,564, giving a value the first year of $1,677,408, and the second year of $2,134,692.00

The establishment is provided with great platforms for the drying of all the materials necessary to prepare the guano or artificial manure, with spacious sheds and machinery for reducing the materials to powder, and also another shed for the grinding of bones.

Over 7,500 tons of coal and 3,500 of salt are employed yearly.

The different works in the establishment employ more than 600 persons: and the population all around the establishment is of 2,500 souls.

It has good quays where ships of all draughts can come and be quickly loaded by powerful steam-cranes.

It has a school where a good education is given to more than a hundred children, the sons of the workingmen; it has also a social club and a band, composed of the workmen.

It possesses also all the workhouses necessary for the good preparation and packing of its products.

Many suertes of land belong to this important association in the place called "Rincon de las Gallinas," where more than 35,000 heads of cattle feed.

The capital of the society is £500,000, divided into 25,000 shares, out of which only 24,300 were issued, the putting out of the other being quite unnecessary.

The shares, the primitive price of which was £20 in London are now quoted more than double. (£42 or £44.) The dividend received by the shareholders varies between 10 and 12 per cent.

This establishment gives life and activity to the important commercial centre of "Villa Independencia" and is a great stimulus for the cattle industry in the country.

Trade and Commerce.

The Republic has important commercial relations with all the principal European and American markets.

Its commerce is represented by the variety of goods imported into the country and the agricultural products and cattle exported to other countries.

The imported goods are, according to the statistics, all sorts of drinks, food and provisions, cereals and spices, stuffs of all kinds, clothes, materials for industry, machines and many other goods that cannot be classed here.

The principal exports of the country are salted meat, tasajo, preserved meat, extracts of meat, tallow, horns, bones, hides, wools, preserved and dried tongues, ostrich feathers, live stock, corn, flour, wheat, canary seed, hay, oats, bran, barley, flax, vermicelli, potatoes, stone, lime, granite, pavements, agate stone, etc., etc.

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The following table gives an idea of the exports and imports of the Republic from the year 1862 to the year 1891.

The participation every country had in the imports and exports of the country during the last five years is represented by the following figures:

IMPORTS.

EXPORTS.

The trade and exterior commerce of the Republic in relation with its population[31] has always been superior to that of the Argentine Republic and Chile.

The following table shows that out of the imported goods during the year 1891, there correspond to each inhabitant $13.50 more than to each inhabitant of the Argentine Republic, and $3.61 more than to each inhabitant of Chile. It shows also that each inhabitant has exported $10.19 more than each inhabitant of the first country, and $14 more than each one of the second country.

The annual middle term of the commerce between this country and the United States of America from the year 1887 to the year 1891 is, for imports $2,014,267, and for exports $1,828,947; which proves a very important commerce between both countries, representing an annual value of $3,843,214 or $320,267, more or less, per month.

So as to prove the importance of our commerce with North America, as well in imports as in exports, we give here the statistics of this commerce during ten years, from 1882 to 1891:

Commerce Between the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the United States of America.

IMPORTS.

I.—Drinks, in General.

II.—Eatables, Cereals, Spices.

III.—Tobacco, Cigars.

IV.—Stuffs, Cloth, Etc.

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V.—Linen, Clothes.

VI.—Materials for the Industries, Machinery.

VII.—Various Goods.

EXPORTS.

I.—Live-stock.

From the year 1882 to the year 1891, there was no export of live-stock.

II.—Cattle Industry, Saladeros.

III.—Rural Products.

From 1882 to 1885 there was no export.

IV.—Various Goods.

Money.

The coined money, imported and exported, has been during the last five years:

Navigation.

The general navigation movement in the various ports of the Republic has become of great importance, owing to the commercial improvements and to the exemption from taxes granted by national legislation.

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The following table gives an idea of it:

During the last two years a diminution is observed, owed to the crisis and to the competition made by the Argentine ports—competition which will disappear when the work undertaken to improve Montevideo's port is complete, the project of which is already studied.

During the year 1891 have entered the ports of the Republic:

The ships were:

That is to say, 1,139 vessels with 395,183 tons per month, or 37 vessels with 13,006 tons per day.

As regards the nationality of the 13,670 vessels entered, there were 5,229 national vessels, with 460,467 tons, and 8,441 foreign vessels, with 4,281,793 tons.

Of all the ports in the Republic Montevideo is the most important one.

During the year 1891 there entered:

From Abroad.

From the Rivers—Coasting Trade.

Which gives a total of 4,033 vessels, with 2,732,309 tons, for the year 1891.

The nationality of the vessels which entered the port of Montevideo was:

The vessels coasting were:

Goods.

According to the statistics the goods moved in the harbor of Montevideo during the last five years are calculated thus:

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That is to say, a middle term of 1,355,828 tons moved per year, or 112,985 per month.

Lighthouses.

Along the coasts of the Republic, watered by the Atlantic Ocean and the River Plate, there are eleven lighthouses, established in the most convenient points, to guide and advise the sailors. To them must be attributed the notable diminution in the number of shipwrecks.

Lazaretto.

The Republic possesses one Lazaretto, established in the Isle of Flores, at a distance of 17 miles southeast from Montevideo.

It is quite comfortable and provided with everything that may be required for disinfecting and fumigating luggage and correspondence.

There is a telegraph and telephone line established between Montevideo and the Lazaretto.

Interior Commerce.

It has not yet been possible to calculate exactly and completely the interior commerce of the Republic, between Montevideo and all the other Departments. Statistics only give the figures representing the cattle and rural products imported to Montevideo by the Departments and that come by railway for local consumption and export.

This commerce gave, during the last five years, a total of 143,446 carts, that is to say a yearly middle term of 28,689.

There arrive daily to the Montevideo markets, by railroad and by the rivers, great quantities of skins, (oxen, horses, sheep) wool, horns, bones, tallow, ostrich feathers and other products of cattle industry, and among rural products great quantities of corn, wheat, flour, canary-seed, barley, mustard-seed, potatoes, garlick, French beans, onions, pumpkins, eggs, butter, fowl, cheeses, paving and lime stone, spirits and many other goods it would be too long to mention here.

There is an important increase every year in the quantity of cattle destined to local consumption, to the Montevideo saladeros and export.

Trade-Houses, Industries, Professions.

During the year 1891, 20,328 licenses were paid for by trade-houses, industries, professions and work-houses. The nationality of those who asked for their trade patent was:

Among the most important industries, must be mentioned: the Liebig Extract of Meat Company, the saladeros or killing grounds, the spirits, wine and beer manufactures, flour mills, the starch and vermicelli manufactures, the soap, suet and oil manufactures, the gas, electric light and water companies, the match, brick, shoe and wooden shoe manufactures, the tan-yards, saw-mills, etc., etc.

There are in Montevideo a great many important spirit, wine, brandy, beer and match manufacturers; and there are sixteen of them in the departments. The Montevideo manufacturers give an annual product of:

According to the declarations made for the payment of the license tax, the capital represented by the trade houses, industries, etc, is $89,329,539.

The clerks employed by all these houses, manufactures and industries, were 11,639, and the workmen of various nationalities 16,621.

As a demonstration of the industrial importance and progress of the country, among many other establishments, the description of which cannot be made here for want of space, one may mention the great brewery Germania, established under the direction of Engineer J. A. Capurro.

It occupies a magnificent building situated in the "Playa Honda" in front of the Montevideo Bay. Its construction and interior distribution completely corresponds to all the technical necessities required for beer manufacturing. It is provided for night working, with electric light produced by a eight-horse dynamo and 68 lamps.

The establishment was built and is worked by a stock company.

It receives the waters of the River Santa Lucia, the very purest, the same that is drank in the town. It possesses, nevertheless, two immense filters, so as to make the water still purer.

The machinery comes from the renowned German manufacture of Chemnitz; it is 25 horse-power, and can give from 18,000 to 20,000 litres per day. The receiving depositories are two, the first one of a capacity of 12,000 litres, and the second of 8,000 litres; the cooling depositories can receive 9,000 litres every hour and a-half, with a temperature that can go to 14° under naught. The clarifying is made by three filters of the most modern system, without any paper application. The fermentation cellar contains three large tubs of a capacity of 3,000 and 3,500 litres. There are also 6 great cellars, for depositories, with 34 tubs each; 18 of them can contain 5,000 litres each and the other 16, 3,500 litres.

With a compressed air machine they cork 10,000 bottles a day.

The ice depositories are beautiful; they always remain at a temperature of 12 or 20° under nought.

The "Germania" also has many other depositories for the raw materials, empty bottles and casks, another for 5,000 litre tubs, brought on purpose from Germany; a forge, a workshop for cask-making, ten carts and stables for 30 horses, and many offices.

It possesses a quay on the bay for loading and unloading and, during the season of most activity, employs over a hundred workmen and clerks.

This establishment represents a capital of over half a million dollars.

During the season it sells over 200,000 litres per month to nearly 1,500 or 2,000 establishments.

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The same society possesses also a starch and an alcohol manufactory. They are very important establishments, provided with the very latest inventions of European and North American manufacture.

In the same conditions are also the Richling and Niding Beer Manufactories.

Banks, Anonymous Societies.

The Republic counts with a great many banks and anonymous societies, that make easier all commercial transactions.

The emission banks are: The London and River Plate Bank, that on December 31, 1891, had an active capital of $8,911,000; the Italian Uruguay Bank, with an active capital of $7,714,521; the Spain and River Plate Bank, with $4,614,752; the Italo-Oriental, with $10,432,276, and the other banks called National Bank, English and River Plate Bank, which actually are in liquidation, being the active of the first bank, 31st December, 1890, $61,630,320, and that of the second, $15,298,406.

Among the discounting banks, there are the Commercial Bank, the French Bank, the South America British Bank, the Anglo-Argentine Bank.

The principal anonymous societies are; The "Credito Real Uruguayo," the "Industrial," the "Cobranzas, locacion y Anticipos," the "Agencia de Tierras," the "Colonization y Fomento del Uruguay," the "Caja de Credito Uruguayo," the "Auxiliar de Credito y Alquileres," the "Co-operativa de Consumo," the "Caja Nacional Uruguaya," the "Edificadora de Montevideo," the "Mercantil del Plata," the "Vegas Uruguayas," the "Viticola Uruguaya," the "Viticola Saltena" and many others that represent important capitals.

Commerce Halls.

In Montevideo there is the important commercial centre called "Bolsa Montevideana," or Montevideo Exchange Hall. There are also the French, the Italian and the Spanish Commercial Boards, that make easier and easier the exchange of goods between the Republic and France, Italy and Spain.

Means of Communication and Conveyance.

All the towns and villages of Uruguay littoral communicate with the capital by the regular service of beautiful steamers between Montevideo and Salto, stopping in all the ports of the Uruguay and Argentine Republic littoral.

Other steamers start from Montevideo for Paraguay and Matto-Grosso (Brazil.)

The lines of transatlantic steamers establish constant communications between the Republic and European and American ports.

By land, a great many places in the Republic are put in communication by the railways and by the telegraph, established also between Montevideo and Europe, Brazil, the Pacific and Argentine Republic.

Where the railways are not yet established, there is a good and regular service of stage-coaches.

Railways.

There are already seven railway lines in the Republic, the service of which is quite regular and comprehends an extension of 1,567 kilometres.

Some other lines are in way of formation, and for some others the necessary preliminary studies have begun, comprising a new extension of 1,231 kilometres.

The railways already established are:

1st. The Central Uruguay Railway. It starts from Montevideo, runs through the whole territory of the Republic, till it reaches the capital of the Department of Rivera, on the very frontier of Brazil, in front of "Santa Ana do Livramento," that is to say, with an extension of 575 kilometres. Besides this, it has also another line of 32 kilometres from "25 de Agosto" to "San Jose."

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2d. The Northeast Uruguay Railway, between Montevideo and Minas, with an extension of 122 kilometres.

3d. The "East Extension" Railway, between Toledo Station, which belongs to the Northeast Uruguay Railway and Nico Perez, with an extension of 206 kilometres.

4th. The North Railway, between Montevideo and Santa Lucia, where are established the municipal slaughter houses. This railway furnishes with meat all the Montevideo markets and has an extension of 23 kilometres.

5th. The Northwest Uruguay Railway, from Salto to the River Cuareim, through the Department of Artigas, with an extension of 178 kilometres. In "Paso del Correo," where this line stops, begins the Brazilian Uruguayana Line.

6th. The Midland Uruguay Railway joins with the Central Railway in "Paso de los Toros" and with the Northwest Railway in the town of Salto and has its principal station in Paysandu, with an extension of 317 kilometres.

7th. The North Uruguay Railway between Isla Cabellos, which belongs to the Northwest Line and San Eugenio in front of San Juan Bautista (Brazil). It runs through the Department of Artigas and has an extension of 114 kilometres.

River Steamers.

There exist many important navigation companies with beautiful and comfortable steamers for the service of the River Plate, Uruguay and Parana.

Among these companies the English company Platense must be mentioned. With its twenty steamers it represents an important capital. It possesses its own docks and wharfs in this republic and in the Argentine Republic. The principal steamers of the Platense are called: Venus, Eolo, Apolo, Minerva, Olimpo, Saturno, Cosmos and Helios, the finest of all, recently constructed. All these steamers have electric light on board. They all go to Buenos Ayres and stop in Martin Garcia, Nueva Palmira, Mercedes, Fray Bentos, Gualeguaychu, Concepcion del Uruguay, Paysandu, Villa Colon, Guaviyu, Concordin, Salto and vice versa.

The steamers of the other companies have more or less the same itinerary.

The movement of goods and passengers is important and has always given good benefits to all the companies.

The journey between Montevideo and Buenos Ayres is of a few hours. The steamers start from Montevideo at 6 p.m. and get to Buenos Ayres, generally, at 4 next morning. The very same day, at 10 a.m. they start again for the ports of the Uruguay; getting to Salto the next day.

Stage Coaches.

In all the departments where railways are not yet established there is a regular service of stage coaches putting the various railway lines in communication and making easier the conveyance of goods and passengers.

Tramways.

In Montevideo there are nine tramway lines: 1st Union and Maronas Tramway; 2nd Paso del Molino and Cerro Tramway; 3rd Eastern Tramway; 4th Buceo and Union Tramway; 5th North Tramway; 6th Oriental Tramway; 7th Reducto Tramway; 8th Montevideo Tramway; 9th Central Tramway. In nearly all the streets of Montevideo there is a tramway line and with such a shortening of the distances life and activity are a great deal increased.

In the centre of the town the tramway ticket costs 4 cents, and from one extremity of the line to the other it costs 10 cents.

During the year 1891 all these tramways made 916,798 journeys, which represent 9,285,940 kilometres, they conveyed 18,000,000 passengers. They possess 507 coaches and 3,622 horses. The number of men employed by the tramway companies is 1029. They have 14 stations.

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In the town of Paysandu there is also a tramway line.

Telegraph.

The telegraph, as it may be seen on the map, is established all over the Republic and in communication with all the towns of Europe and America. The different telegraph companies are:

There are two telegraph companies more between Salto and Concordia and between Paysandu and Concepcion del Uruguay (Argentine Republic). But they are of little importance.

The number of telegrams sent by the various companies was, in 1891, 256,467.

Navigation Companies.

Many European and American Companies have their agencies in Montevideo. The principal ones are:

All these steamers put Montevideo in direct communication with Barcelona, Genoa, Naples, Dakar, Lisbon, Bourdeaux, Rio Janeiro, Saint Vincent, Vigo, Bahia, Pernambuco, Marseilles, Havre, Santa Cruz of Tenerif, Dunkirk, Plymouth, Liverpool, London, New Zealand and also the ports of the Pacific Ocean and those of North America.

Telephone.

In many points of the Republic telephone lines are established. The principal lines in Montevideo are: The Co-operative Co., the Telefonica Nacional Co., the Telefonica de Montevideo Co.

During the year 1891 these lines have had 21,000 daily communications. They have 3,600 subscribers and the wires they employ represent 5,500 miles. They have 10 offices and employ 174 persons, 74 men and 100 women. The capital of each company is: The Telefonica de Montevideo $220,000, the Telefonica Nacional $105,000, the Telegrafica Telefonica del Plata Company has established a telephone line between Montevideo and Buenos Ayres.

Postage.

The movement in the Postoffices of the Republic is greater every day, owing to the continual improvement of the ways of communication.

The following table gives an idea of the movement in the Montevideo Postoffice:

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The movement during 1891 may be divided thus:

Carriages, Coaches, Etc.

The number of coaches is very considerable in the Republic.

Montevideo alone counts over 4,000 carts and more than 700 carriages.

Public Education.

Primary education is gratuitous and obligatory in all the Republic.

The public schools are at the expense of the State, that gives the books and all the necessary materials.

Since the year 1877, in which was issued the law on public education, the primary education has improved a great deal.

The reform of the primary schools was initiated in the year 1868 by a private society, founded by the great reformer, Jose Pedro Varela, the Horace Mann of Uruguay, under the name of "Friends of Popular Education Society," which created an application school, called "Elbio Fernandez," in honor of one of the founders of the society. Various North American books and manuals were then translated for the use of the schools and masters. Varela's ideas soon were diffused among the people, and the reformer was appointed to a high situation in the Public Instruction Board, in the year 1876. Immediately he reformed all the official schools, and organized the scholar administration, being himself appointed principal director of it, with the title of "National Primary Instruction Inspector."

University.

The number of the students in the University of Montevideo during the year 1891 was 668, distributed thus:

Out of those 668 students, 631 were natives and 37 foreigners.

The professors were 75: 14 for law and social sciences, 23 for medicine, 19 for mathematics and 19 for the preparatory studies; being 58 of them natives, 12 Spaniards, 3 Italians, 1 German and 1 Frenchman.

Public Schools.

In the year 1891 there were in the Republic 483 public schools; that is to say, 143 more than in the year 1886.

The number of pupils was then for the whole Republic 43,676 (24,541 boys, 19,135 girls)—14,763 boys and girls in the capital, and 28,913 in the departments.

All the schools cost $690,574, the education of each pupil representing a value of $13.27.

The professors were 863—272 men and 591 women.

Ninety-four schools were established in buildings belonging to the National Educational Board and representing a value of $448,541, and 11 of them in buildings belonging to the State, with a value of $45,942.

Private Schools.

In 1891 there existed in the Republic 375 private schools, with 21,945 pupils and 930 professors (381 men and 549 women).

We obtain, therefore, the following result:

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Normal Girl School.

In this national school 114 girls received the title of professor for the first degree, and 29 for the second degree, from the year 1887 to the year 1891.

In the same building is established the "Museo Pedagogico, or Pedagogic" Museum, one of the most important institutions of this kind in South America, under the direction of Mr. A. Gomez Ruano.

Art and Professional School.

This important establishment is actually under the care of the "National Charity and Public Beneficence Commission." It is established in a large building of its own, fit for 600 pupils. In 1891 there were 227 of them who received there, besides professional instruction, a very serious general instruction up to the third degree.

In that establishment they study for carpenter, cabinet-maker, ironsmith, shoemaker, bookbinder, typographer, lithographer, mechanican, turner, silversmith, tinsmith, sculptor, painter, etc. There are also classes of telegraphing, drawing, gymnastics, singing, and music. The professors are 46.

Montevideo Atheneum.—A beautiful establishment is being built for this literary, scientific and artistic institution, the object of which is, delivering gratuitous lectures and publishing reviews, to foment in the Republic the general literary, scientific and artistic instruction.

Professional League.—Very good results are attained by this institution. In its halls the best professors give every night gratuitous lessons on painting, drawing, architecture and mathematics.

Military School.

This establishment is under the care of the Ministry of War and Navy, and works according to the latest improvements of military science.

It counts with the best professors of French and German tactics, physics and natural philosophy, mathematics, geography and history, lineal drawing and photography, fencing and gymnastics. It possesses also all the necessary apparatus for physics, chemistry, physiology and mineralogy, and has a complete library with the newest and best scientific works.

Religious Schools.

In the Republic there are a great many schools and colleges under the care of religious communities, in which more than 4,200 children are taught.

Educational Patriotic League.

Under this name there exists in Montevideo an important establishment, the object of which is to improve and foment the primary, secondary, superior, artistical and professional instruction, not only in Montevideo but also throughout the whole country. It has also founded an important college.

National Library.

During the 185 days in which that important establishment remained opened, in the year 1891, the number of the readers have been 2,849. The number of the books asked for was 2,698 and 64 manuscripts.

The library possesses over 21,000 volumes and 2,500 manuscripts, a great many engravings, photographs and maps.

There are also the "Archives" where all records are kept, ancient writings and documents that have a relation with the National History.

In nearly every department there is a public library.

International Book Exchange.—Uruguay is one of the nations that signed the Brussels treaty and in Montevideo there is a very useful office for International Book Exchange.

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National Museum.

In the National Museum there are 24,226 objects, that is to say:

Newspapers.

Great many newspapers and reviews are published in the Republic. They are agricultural, industrial, scientific, political, commercial, literary, religious, judicial, satirical or philosophical.

In 1891 there were 74 papers and reviews issued in Montevideo and 31 in the Departments: total, 105.

Out of them, 96 were written in Spanish, 4 in French, 1 in English, 3 in Italian and 1 in Portuguese.

26 were daily papers and the other monthly.

93 were morning papers and 12 evening papers.

Societies.

In the capital town of each department there are various societies, the object of which is charity and mutual help.

Among the societies that exist in Montevideo, we must mention the societies called: Amigos de la Educacion, Ateneo de la Mujer, Agricola Italiana, Ateneo Militar, Confederacion Cientifica Literaria, Associacion Rural del Uruguay, Cosmo Italiano, Centro Catalan, Centro Gallego, Ciencias y Artes, Circulo Catolico de Obreros, Idem Napolitano, Clubs Aleman, Espanol, Frances, Ingles, Uruguay, Catolico, Colon, Dramatico Italiano, Societies Garibaldina, Hannemaniana Uruguaya, Homeopatica, La Lira, La Patrie, Laurak Bat, Liga Lombarda, Liga Industrial, Liga Masaniello, Nova Stella di Italia, La Romea, Tiro y Gymnasio Nacional, Union de Obreros, and also the French, Italian and Spanish commercial boards.

The Uruguay Masonry is represented by a Great Orient on which depend many other lodges. There exist also many foreign lodges.

Worship and Churches.

Although the State Religion is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion, all the other religions are tolerated in the Republic owing to the liberality of the laws and to the independent spirit of the inhabitants. There exist Protestant Temples, not only in Montevideo but also in Salto, Swiss Colony, etc.

The budget of the Republic assigns $19,712 for all the expenses of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Republic has 43 churches and 36 chapels. The number of the priests is 161.

Actually they are building 7 more churches.

Public Revenue.

The public revenue is derived from the custom duties, direct taxes on property, licenses to trade houses, stamped paper, stamps, import and export duties, port dues, municipal duties in the capital and in the departments, duties on indirect inheritance, trade patents, cattle marks, etc.

Its amount has been during the three following periods:

The increase during the second period, if compared with the first one is: $5,694,884, and the increase of the third period compared with the second one is: $9,938,190.

Custom Duties.

They are the principal revenue of the Republic. From the year 1882 to the year 1891, the product of the custom duties, calculated by periods of five years each, has been:

The increase of the second period, if compared with the first one, has been: $12,046,721.

Licenses, Stamped Paper, Stamps.

The licenses for trade houses, shops, etc., stamped paper and stamps have produced during the period 1887-1891:

Public Debt.

All the external public debt has been unified, including in it what was owed for the guarantee to railways, and also what remained due of the external debt service. The interest to be paid has been lessened and definitely established at the rate of 3½ per cent., and the redemption by the outbidding system has been restored.

The internal consolidated debt has also been unified with an interest of 4 per cent., and redeemable at the rate of 1 per per cent., accumulatively and by outbiddings.

The external consolidated debt (3½ per cent.) is $90,710,000.

The internal unified debt (4 per cent.) is $7,500,000.

The international debts, according to treaties with Italy, France and Spain, are $1,987,125.

All these debts that will be issued when these lines are published will form, more or less, a total of $104,000,000, mortgage bank warranty debt included.

Budget of Expenditure.[1]

The financial year begins on the 1st of July and concludes on the 30th of June of the next year.

From the financial year of 1889-90 it has been the anterior budget which has gone on ruling, with a general deduction[43] of 10 per cent., and with some augments and changes in other parts of the budget.

A new budget for the financial year 1892-93 is going to be voted, which will consist of the following amounts:

So as to attend to this budget the Republic counts with the following incomes:

NEW DUTIES.

RECAPITULATION.

Weights and Measures.

The law of the year 1862 established the metrical system throughout the Republic.

Official Value of Gold Coins.

[44]

The standard currency in Uruguay is gold.

The nominal unit, $1, 1 peso ($1), has a weight of 1 gramme, 697 mgrm. of gold and 917 mills standard.

The official value of the national silver coin, 1 peso, has a weight of 25 grammes and 900 milles standard.

The other minor silver coins are: $0.50, $0.20, $0.10.

In all accounts, the limited quantity that can be paid in silver, is determined by the law, according to the total amount.

Police.

The police under the care of the Political and Police Chief (jefe politico y de policia) of each department and depending on the Executive power employs a great many persons, the wages of which are relatively very small. However, the police service goes on with a perfect regularity in the capital and in the departments. The whole police administration costs half a million to the state.

Army.

The organization of the Uruguayan army is perfect, as well in regard to the discipline as in regard to the military tactics. They are dressed as well as the best European soldier. They use the Remington gun; but they are going to be provided with the reformed Mauser gun. The artillery regiments have 67 Krup, Armstrong and Nordenfeld cannons.

The army is composed of 23 chiefs, 202 officers and 3,425 soldiers, forming 10 battalions, that is to say: 4 Hunters battalions, 1 artillery battalion, 4 cavalry battalions and 1 light artillery battalion, besides which must be counted the general Artigas fort garrison and the "Prague Nacional" or Arsenal detachment.

One Hunters Battalion and the four Cavalry ones serve as garrisons in the departments. The other battalions remain in the capital.

Navy.

The national fleet is employed for coast and fort guarding. It is composed of three large gun-boats and 6 small steamers. They all use Remington guns; as for the cannons, they belong to various systems.

Montevideo, the Capital of the Republic.

The great maritime town of Montevideo, the capital of the Republic and the so-called department, was founded in the year 1726 by the Spanish marshal Don Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, with some Spanish families, who came from Buenos Ayres and Canary Islands.

The town is built over a rocky peninsula, in the middle of the salt waters of the River Plate, with a height of over 100 feet above the sea.

It is actually divided into three large sections called the Antigua (old) town, the Nueva (new) town and the Novisima (newest) town. All around the town will run the great boulevard General Artigas. The whole town consists in 1,600 manzanas or square cuadras, more than 600 of which are already edificed; it must be added that every day new buildings are begun everywhere about the town. In all directions new streets are opened and new houses are built and new suburbs created, making Montevideo larger and larger every day.

The streets are all straight and nearly all of them well paved with granite stone. In the old town they are 10 and 11 metres wide and in the new town 17 metres, with broad pavements and trees planted on both sides.

The principal roads that lead to the town are broad, part of them covered with a bed of macadam and the others with a bed of stones.

There are six public squares, called, Zabala, Constitucion, Independencia, Libertad, Treinta y Tres, General Flores, and the smaller ones called Solis and Muelle Viejo.

[45]

In all these squares there are trees and banks; they are lit with electric light and the paths that surround them are made of the finest granite.

Most of them are one manzana large, that is to say 7,378 square metres. The square called Independencia is a parallelogram 221 metres long by 232 metres broad with an area of 29,260 metres. In it is situated the government palace. The boulevard called 18 de Julio is the continuation of the Independencia Square, from W. to E., being 26 metres broad.

The common sewer has an extension of 93,000 metres and more than 7,500 are directly its conduits.

The drinkable water comes from Santa Lucia (61 kilometres from Montevideo); the various conduits have an extension of over 180 kilometres.

All the streets and even the suburbs have the electric light; some others have still the gas light.

Three gasometres, two of them 100,000 cubic feet and one 70,000, are employed for the preparation of the gas. The gas pipes represent an extension of 128 kilometres. The power of each light is equivalent to that of 18 candles.

There are two important establishments for the preparation of the electric light, which is now used by a great many trade houses and shops.

The town is composed of over 19,000 houses—20 per cent. of them being houses with two stories; a good many of them have three and four stories. The architecture of the houses is most elegant, especially of those which were built during the last fifteen years.

Among the public buildings remarkable for their importance are: the Cathedral, the Charity Hospital, the Insane Asylum, the Central Cemetery, Solis Theater, Normal School, Government Palace, Parliament House, Custom House, Professional School, National Bank, San Felipe and Cibils Theatres, London Bank, South America British Bank, Uruguay Club, Gas Works, Prison, San Francisco, Capuchin Friars, Concepcion and Carmen Churches, Orphan Asylum, Seminary, English Church, Music Academy, Oriental Hotel, Gounouilhou Baths, etc.

The suburbs and environs are most picturesque, with a great quantity of the most elegant country houses, built all along the avenues called Agraciada, Paso del Molino, Duranas, Miguelete, Sierra, Goes, Suarez, Larranaga and many others.

Being the capital of the Republic, Montevideo is the residence of the three high powers of the state, of the aggregate of foreign ministers and consuls and also of the bishop. It is the centre of all the most important business of the Republic and reputed one of the best markets in the River Plate.

In Montevideo reside all the principal Societies and Associations in the Republic.

The aspect of the town is agreeable and quite that of a European city, and its population is quite a cosmopolitan one.

The census of the year 1891, Dec. 31, gave a result of 234,688 souls for the department of Montevideo, 190,000 more or less belonging exclusively to Montevideo, and 53 per cent. of them being natives and 47 per cent. foreigners.

All the most important trade-houses are in Montevideo, the largest and finest hotels; there are three theatres, fifteen churches and nine chapels, three cemeteries and three markets, etc.

During the bathing season a great many foreigners come to Montevideo, owing to its fine shore and beautiful bathing establishments, like the one called Los Pocitos, where exists a beautiful and elegant building for the foreigners, and those called Romirez and Capurro.

The following table gives an idea of the immense yearly consumption of meat in Montevideo:

[46]

Public Beneficence.

There are in the Republic many beneficent establishments, hospitals, charity and mutual assistance societies, that do important services to all who need them without any distinction of nationality.

In the capital there are, under the care of the State and of the National Charity and Beneficence Commission, the Charity Hospital, the Alms House, the Insane Asylum, the Orphan Hospital, the Maternal Asylum and also a small-pox Lazaretto.

There exist also, under the care of private beneficence, the English Hospital, the Italian Hospital, and soon there will be a Spanish Hospital.

For a long time there have been many Ladies' Beneficence Societies, and many Mutual Assistance Societies: La Junta Central Espanola de Beneficencia, La Fraternidad, Societa Italiana, Circolo Napolitano, Societe Francaise de Seccours Mutuels.

The number of the members of all the societies is more or less 25,000.

Charity Hospital.—In the beginning of the year 1891, there were 489 ill people in the hospital; from January to December of the same year, there entered 5,361; therefore, during the year 1891, 5,850 persons were attended at the hospital. Out of them 5,022 were cured, 4 ran away and 451 died, remaining 373 persons for the year 1892.

Out of the 5,361 persons who went to the hospital, 1,529 only were natives and 3,832 foreigners.

Insane Asylum.—In 1891 the number of people attended to was 987. During the year, 58 went out and there remained for 1892, 768 persons.

The 258 people who came to the hospital in 1891, were 107 natives and 151 foreigners.

Alms House.—Out of 473 beggars living in the asylum, the greatest number, in the year 1891, were foreigners.

Orphan and Foundling Asylum.—In the beginning of 1891 there were 397 children. During the year there entered 574; thence there were 971 children in the hospital during the year 1891. Out of them 56 foundlings were claimed for by their parents and 22 orphans by their relations; 63 orphans were adopted by various families.

Maternal Asylum.—The three Maternal Asylums received during the year 1891, 1,937 children of both sexes, who were attended to by the Charity Sisters.

In all the departments there exist Beneficence and Mutual Assistance Societies that do great services to the poor people.

Powers of the State.

EXECUTIVE POWER.

President of the Republic—Doctor Don Julio Herrera y Obes.

Government Minister—Don Francisco Bauza.

Minister of Commerce, Industry, Railways and Public Education—Engineer Don Juan Alberto Capurro.

Minister of Finance—(Interium) Don Eugenio Madalena.

Minister of War and Navy—General Don Luis E. Perez.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship—Doctor Don Manuel Herrero y Espinosa.

[47]

LEGISLATIVE POWER.

President of the Senator Chamber and General Assembly—Don Tomas Gomensoro.

President of the Deputy Chamber—Doctor Don Miguel Herrera y Obes.

JUDICIAL POWER—TRIBUNALS OF APPEAL.

President of the Tribunals—(1st) Doctor Don J. M. Vilaza. (2d) Doctor Don Trofilo Diaz.

Ministers of the Republic Abroad.

Consuls of the Republic.

Foreign Ministers in the Republic.

Foreign Consuls in the Republic.

[48]

Custom-House.

The Montevideo custom-house produces the principal revenue the public treasury counts with. The other custom-houses all over the littoral and in the Brazilian frontiers are comparatively a great deal less important.

Imports have to pay general duties ad valorem, which vary between 8 and 51 per cent., and also specific duties, such as for wine, brandy, tobacco, rice, sugar, petroleum, olive oil, beer, matches, etc.

There is a law regulating these specific duties.

According to the law of the year 1888 all national products were free from duty; but in the year 1890 a new law restored the specific duty.

Corn, wheat, flour and lucerne pay also the specific duty.

Since the year 1888 many modifications have been introduced in the custom duties laws, in order to increase the revenue and also to protect national industry.

Besides the duties ad valorem there is also an additional duty of 5 per cent.

Laws.

IMPORTS.

Article 1. All goods imported from foreign countries for consumption will pay a duty of 31 per cent. of its value, excepting the following goods, which will pay:

1, 51 per cent.—arms, powder, ammunitions, snuff, tobacco, perfumery, cheese, butter, ham, preserved meats and all eatables preserved in tin boxes or in bottles, rockets and mine, quarry and gun powder.

2, 48 per cent.—brushes in general, painting brushes, shoes of all sorts, ready-made linen, hats, furniture, coaches, harnesses, medicaments, formularies and business papers either lithographed or printed.

3, 44 per cent.—cakes and pastry of all sorts, chocolate, candles in general, vermicelli, jams, soles and tanned skins.

4, 20 per cent.—lumber in general, iron, either plate, crow, joist or ingot, steel plate, copper and brass ingots, tin plate, lead bar or plate, zinc plate or ingot, fresh fruits, roof tiles, slates, Roman cement, vegetal coal, quicksilver, tin, talc, plaster, tar, pitch, sack-cloth, forage in general and empty match-boxes.

5, 12 per cent.—potatoes of all sorts, even those imported for sowing.

6, 8 per cent.—printed and bound books, typography or lithography machines or presses, printing types, white paper for newspapers, lithography paper, 87 centim. long by 54 broad, printing ink, flower and vegetable seeds, sulphuric, nitric and chlorhydric acids, gums, phosphorus, gold jewels and gold and silver watches.

7, 6 per cent.—printed books without binding, maps and geographical globes and all things necessary for natural, physical and mathematical studies, mineral coal in general, sea or rock salt and precious stones.

Art. 2. All things necessary to divine worship, the introduction of which may be asked by the ecclesiastical authority, shall be free from all duty.

2. All things introduced for the personal use of the foreign ministers and consuls residing in the Republic, provided there be reciprocation for our ministers and consuls.

3. All the machinery for steamers that are going to be built in the country, stamped gold and silver, gold and silver paste or powder, sheep-curing specific, live plants except vines, live-stock and blooded animals, luggage, linen, clothes and instruments and tools for personal use, all special materials to be employed in building ships in the country, ploughs, machinery for ships and industries, common and double sodium, hop, saffron, agricultural machines, hemp, indian cane, rabbit hair, otter and hare skin for hat-making, sewing machines, glass or clay bottles, potash and chlorate of potash for industry, capsules for bottles, dynamite, wires for[49] fencing, lucerne seeds, and sulphur flower.

Art 3. The introducing of all coloring substances employed in the falsification of wine is forbidden, as well as all substances the Public Health Board will consider as hurtful, etc., etc.

Law on Specific Duties.

Article 1. The goods hereafter mentioned, imported from foreign nations since the 1st of January, 1889, shall pay the following specific duties:

Art. 2. The specific duties on common wines, in casks, will be 6 per cent. the litre. Etc., etc.

New Laws on Specific Duties.

Article 1.

[50]

Article 2.

According to another law, January 19, 1891, the following goods pay specific duties:

According to the same law (Article 3) the sulphate of copper, destined to agriculture, is free from all duty.

The law of August 27, 1891, says:

Article 1. The specific duty charged on all foreign brandy, when its alcoholic strength is not over 20 degrees, shall be $13.60 per litre. If the alcoholic strength be over 20 degrees, each additional degree shall pay 68.1000.

The duty on the brandy manufactured in the country is raised to $13.20 per litre, whatever may be its strength.

Article 2. The duty on vermouth, brandy, bitters, artificial wines (3 and 12 cents per litre) is abolished.

Bitters, whiskey, vermouth (not being over 20 degree), shall be 31 cents per litre.

The same, in bottles from 51 centilitres to 1 litre, also 31 cents per litre.

The same, in larger or smaller bottles, in proportion.

Article 3. The Executive Power may oblige the brandy manufacturers to employ the Tiermen-Halske counters, or others.

Article 4. Are free from duty the liquors the grocers make themselves with peaches or cherries.

Exports.

The law of January 30, 1888, says:

Article 1. All natural products, fruits and goods manufactured in the country are free of all export duty.

Article 2. Are excepted undressed stone, sand and live-stock.

Another law of October 4, 1890, has created the following export duties:

Article 2.

Law on Immigration.

Among other articles the law on immigration of June 12th, 1890, says:

Article 2. The consular agents must give all the information, notices and references, the immigrants, agents of navigation companies, or other persons whoever, may ask them about legislation, statistics and general situation of the Republic.

Art. 3. The agents shall not receive, on pain of being destituted, any particular retribution for the services the present law imposes on them, or those that any future law may impose on them.

Art. 7. Is considered as an immigrant every honest workman who comes to the Republic on board any steamer or vessel, with a second or third class passage, with the intention of fixing here his residence.

[51]

Art. 8. Every immigrant on his landing will enjoy the following favors:

1. Introduction, free from all duty, of his luggage, linen, furniture, tools or agricultural machines.

2. Disembarking of all his luggage without anything to pay.

3. All the necessary information is gratuitously taken for him, so as to provide him with the kind of work he has chosen.

The immigrants with their passage paid by the Government have a right:

1. To be lodged and fed during the first eight days.

2. To be taken over gratuitously with his luggage to the place in the national territory he has chosen for his residence.

These last benefits may also be granted by the executive power to the spontaneous immigration.

Art. 10. The immigrant will prove his good conduct and aptness to work by a certificate gratuitously given to him by the consular agent of the port from which he sailed, and duly legalized by the consular authority of his own country.

Art. 24. All ships coming here with immigrants will enjoy all the possible exemptions of taxes.

Art. 25. As a compensation to the anterior article, the immigrants bound for the Oriental Republic will enjoy on board the ships the very same treatment, as regards the food, lodging and comfort, as the immigrants going to other ports in the River Plate.

Art 33. A special inspector shall look carefully over the gratuitous disembarking of the immigrants and their luggage.

Art. 34. He will accompany them until they be put into possession of their luggage, taking good care lest any one should ask them any retribution in the "Immigrants' Hotel."

Art. 36. In case of serious illness, contracted during the journey, their lodging, maintenance and medical assistance shall be at the expenses of the State, even if the eight days granted by the law have passed.

Articles 37, 38 and 40, inclusive, stipulate that the Immigration and Agricultural Board shall attend to all the necessities of the national industry by placing all the immigrants who will submit themselves to this law: That it will note down in a special register the names of all workmen, ploughmen, etc., in search of work; that it will by all means try to place them advantageously; that it will mediate, if it be required, in all contracts, and take good care lest the patrons should not observe them faithfully.

In no case at all shall the Immigration and Agricultural Board receive any commission or retribution whatever.

In case it be necessary to send the immigrant over to some other department the travel would be at the expense of the State.

Historical Sketch.

(A COMPILATION.)

Four years after the River Plate was discovered by Juan Diaz de Solis, Hernando de Magallanes, following the same route as the former, went up the River Plate and discovered part of the rivers Uruguay, Guazu and Parana. But as he could not find the channel, which, he thought, ought to lead him to the East Indies, he soon came back and sailed southward, discovering afterwards the strait.

In the year 1527, Sebastian Gaboto who had travelled over the Rivers Uruguay, Parana and Paraguay, built the first fort on the coast of the River San Salvador at a short distance from the Uruguay, so as to defend himself against the Indians who peopled the territory that now belongs to the Republic.

Then began the first essays of colonization made by the Spaniards, notwithstanding all kinds of difficulties and fights against the Indians who, with great constance and heroism, went on defending the land that was theirs.

[52]

In the year 1550, Irala sends from the Asuncion a few people over to the Oriental territory; and the first settlement is there founded, on the banks of the river San Juan, with the name of San Juan Bautista. Two years after the settlers gave up the place and went away, on account of the increasing attacks of the Indians which they could not resist.

In the year 1574, Zarate had a new fort built in the very same place where Gaboto in 1527 had already built one and gave it the name of San Salvador. Two years later, the settlers had to go away for want of resources and on account of the continuous wars with the natives.

In the year 1624, Fray Bernardo de Guzman began founding a new settlement, the most ancient one in the Republic, called Santo Domingo de Soriano, two leagues distant from the mouth of the Black River, Rio Negro.

In 1680 was founded Colonia del Sacramento, by Don Manuel de Lobo, the governor of Janeiro.

In 1724 the field-marshal, Don Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, founded the town of Montevideo.

From that time many more towns and important settlements went on being founded. In 1762, Villa de San Carlos, in 1763, the town of Maldonado, in 1778, Villa de San Juan Bautista, now Santa Lucia, 1782, the settlement of Paysandu, in 1783, Minas and in 1793, Rocha.

Early in the nineteenth century, the question of dominion was finally settled in favor of the Spaniards; and in the mean time, in spite of wars, the Banda Oriental was being peopled and civilization continued to advance. In the central districts, as well as on the coasts of the Atlantic and of the large rivers, the Spaniards had founded many small towns and ports, the most important of which was Montevideo.

In the early days of the Spanish settlements in these regions, the whole of the River Plate district was included in the Viceroyalty of Peru. Subsequently a separate viceroyalty was created in Buenos Ayres and the Banda Oriental, which had been subject to the Colonial Government of Paraguay, was transferred to that of Buenos Ayres. At the beginning of the century, Montevideo was ruled by a military and political governor appointed by the Crown of Spain. Since the year 1730, Montevideo had a Cabildo or Municipality.

Soriano, Maldonado, Colonia and other places were subject to military commands and also had their own cabildos. The population of Montevideo was then about 15,000 inhabitants; the same number of people existed in the interior of the province.

At the beginning of the century Montevideo already possessed a gratuitous school, paid by private persons, and also primary schools, under the care of friars of the Order of St. Francis; it had a comedy hall, had finished giving names to all its streets, and established the light service in the principal ones; and its cabildo or municipality, listening to the proposals made by the Governor Bustamante y Guerra, was already thinking of providing the town with a good hygiene service, with pavement, with causeways, with a regular drinkable water service, with a public washing place, with a complete service for the cleaning and conservation of the port, with the building of bridges over the Miguelete, Paso del Molino and Arroyo Seco, designing for the public municipal service the amount of $47,600, which would be taken from the product of the cattle outbidding sales for the slaughterhouses during the years 5th and 6th.

Undoubtedly the administration of the Governors Bustamante y Guerra and Ruiz Huidobio was an era of prosperity for Montevideo (1797 to 1807). Uruguay had lived under despotism until those governors came and raised it to the very rank it deserved by its topographical position and natural riches.

Such was the situation of Montevideo[53] when took place the English invasions in the River Plate.

On the 27th of June, 1806, Buenos Ayres fell to the power of the expedition commanded by Berresford and Popham.

Montevideo, with all its war elements and all the popular elements enrolled in the very moment, succeeded in reconquering Buenos Ayres. The first English invasion was repelled. A new attack of the English gave as a result the taking of Montevideo after a furious fight on the 3d of February, 1807.

Seven months later the English had to withdraw from Montevideo after the defeat suffered in Buenos Ayres by General Whitelock, who, on capitulating, had to surrender Montevideo and all other places occupied by his troops.

On the 25th of May, 1810, the people in Buenos Ayres gave the first decisive step for the conquering of the independence of this continent.

The Governor and Municipality of Montevideo did not join then the movement.

The Junta or Revolutionary Committee, established in Buenos Ayres, sends regular troops to the Banda Oriental. General Don Jose G. Artigas commands the Oriental troops.

After various encounters and fights that were all favorable to the Revolution, the Spanish power was forever destroyed in the River Plate, on the 23d of June, 1814.

General Artigas does all he can that the Banda Oriental be one of the confederate provinces among the united ones of the River Plate. There occur some difficulties and the general government is obliged to surrender Montevideo, and the troops retire on the 23d of February, 1815.

The Portuguese, who greedily sought after possessing this territory, invades it then with a powerful army. Fortune is first favorable to them; and, on the 20th of January, 1817, General Lecor takes possession of Montevideo and other places, giving to the Banda Oriental the name of Cisplatine State (Estado Cisplatino).

The Brazilians part from the crown of Portugal, and after they have declared themselves independent the new Cisplatine state becomes a dependence of the Brazilian empire, the troops of which enter into Montevideo on the 28th of February, 1824, and take possession of the whole land.

Some emigrated Orientals, residing in Buenos Ayres, do all that they possibly can so as to conquer again their independence and native country.

They join the few elements they can dispose of and on the 19th of April, 1825, thirty-three fearless patriots, under the command of the Oriental General D. Juan Antonio Lavalleja, tread the shore of the Agraciada, near Nueva Palmira, and with the device, "Libertad o Muerte" (Liberty or Death), written on the national flag, begin the heroic campaign—the liberating expedition to which the whole country joins.

The first encounters were favorable to the Oriental arms. General Lavalleja convokes the people for the electing of Deputies, and in the Villa de la Florida establishes itself the Deputy Chamber, which, on the 25th of August, 1825, sanctions—giving the strength of a law—the Declaration of the Independence of the River Plate Oriental Province.

The Brazilians complain to the Argentine government on account of the decided protection it had given to the Oriental Revolution, and a war ensues between both nations that obliges the Argentines to send an auxiliary army to this territory.

The struggle went on, being a series of victories for the united republican arms: the Imperial power was defeated, the last encounter, that put that memorable campaign to an end, taking place in Bacacay. Negotiations of peace were undertaken, and on the 27th of August, 1828, the preliminary treaty was signed, by which the Oriental Province of Uruguay was declared sovereign and independent.

[54]

A provisional government was appointed and, after the country had recovered peace and quiet, a constituent and legislative Assembly was elected which compiled and published the Constitution that nowadays is still ruling, and that was solemnly sworn amid the greatest popular joy on the 18th of July, 1830.

It was at this period that a man rose into note in the Argentine Confederation who was destined to exercise an overshadowing and pernicious influence on both sides of the River Plate. In 1829 Don Juan Manuel Rosas became Governor of Buenos Ayres. Possessed of great capacity he maintained tranquility in his native province and extended his sway over the neighboring states of the Confederation; but his system of government was despotic, and his rule was for some years one of sanguinary terror. His intervention in the intestine quarrels of the Republic of Uruguay, and his attempt to close the River Parana to foreign vessels, led him into hostilities with England and France, whose joint naval squadrons protected Montevideo from his attacks by sea, whilst his troops and their Oriental allies, under General Oribe, besieged the city. The siege of Montevideo by the Blancos or Whites, as the Oriental partizans of Oribe were called, continued for nine years, and for that period, from 1843 to 1851, the history of the Republic of Uruguay is the history of the defence of Montevideo.

The defence concluded with a treaty of peace on the 8th of October, 1851, in which it was declared that there were neither conquered or conquerors.

On the 3rd of February in the following year, Rosas himself was completely overthrown at Monte Caseros, near Buenos Ayres, by the combined forces of Brazil, Oriental Republic and the Argentines in revolt under the governor of Entre Rios General Justo Jose Urquiza, the commander-in-chief of the allied army. From that date, when the normal intercourse of Montevideo with Buenos Ayres and the riverain ports of the Uruguay and Parana, as well as with the interior of the Republic itself and with Brazil, was resumed, the Oriental Republic may be said to have recommenced its national existence. Whilst her material progress has continued with little intermission, her political history during the last thirty or forty years has been again chequered by many internal troubles and domestic events, one too recent, the others too insignificant to be included in the present historical sketch. But the old parties, Blanco and Colorado, have long since been transformed; and at the same time that new rivalries and new parties were coming out, the hatreds and exclusive passions of the ancient times have all disappeared; the constant communication with Europe, and the general influence of a newer education and of different ideas is permeating all classes in the capital, and gradually extending to the rural districts, where foreigners are introducing the habits and industrial methods of European countries: all which, owing to the national culture and civilization permits to count for the future with a complete stability in the institutions and government of the country, this stability being the strongest wish of all the parties, whilst it is also the best and most solid warranty of the progress and increase of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oriental Republic of Uruguay at
the World's Columbian Exhibition, Chicago, 1893, by Carlos Maria de Pena and Honore Roustan

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