Note 173 — Chapter VIII

The following is an extract of the Returns made to Parliament of the West African imports and exports:—

There was imported into the United Kingdom, in the year ended 31st December, 1861, from the Western Coast of Africa, produce of the value, in round numbers, of one and a half million sterling. This amount is exclusive of the imports from the British, French, and Spanish possessions on that coast.

Palm-oil is the chief article of commerce brought into this country from thence, the value of which, in 1860, was not less than 1,684,532l. The other articles, consisting chiefly of dye woods, cotton, ebony, and elephants’ teeth, had a total value of only 92,000l.

The last made-up returns are given below, as well as the increase or decrease as compared with 1859:—

1860. Increase. Decrease.

£ £ £

Barwood 8,939 2,046

Camwood 7,370 519

Copper ore 648 515

Cotton 6,094 405

Ebony 3,797 1,184

Guano 2,590 1,186

Gum animi 222 531

„ copal 865 727

Oil (palm) 1,684,532 263,503

Orchil 29

Teeth (elephants’) 35,672 6,203

Wax (bees’) 2,134 5,590

All other articles 23,702 4,147

Total 1,776,565 272,990 13,602

13,602

Increase in 1860 over 1859 259,388

The exports of British produce and manufactures were valued at 865,804l. for the year 1861, which is less by 85,491l. than for the preceding year.

By the subjoined table it will be seen that the largest shipments in 1860 were cotton goods, gunpowder, guns, spirits, and earthenware, and that with one exception all the articles exhibit increases over 1859:—

1860. Increase. Decrease.

£ £ £

Apparel 24,158 6,582

Guns 61,613 22,230

Gunpowder 100,169 28,785

Beads 8,338 5,264

Brass manufactures 20,820 1,846

Cottons 464,661 138,216

Earthenware 23,227 11,418

Hardware 50,314 2,405

Iron and steel 25,147 4,442

Silk manufactures 14,421 6,429

Spirits (British) 15,695 12,078

Staves 56,538 1,909

Woollens 11,074 4,032

All other articles 75,120 13,450

Total 951,295 257,177 1,909

1,909

Increase in 1860 over 1859 255,268

Of foreign and colonial produce and manufactures exported from this country to the Western Coast of Africa the value in 1860 was 194,139l. The principal articles were beads, cowries, silk manufactures, spirits, and tobacco.