Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/565

 MONEY, WEIGHTS, AND MEASURES. 529

year 1869, British vessels to the number of 181, with a tonnage of 125,351 entered, and 169, with a tonnage of 125,067, cleared Colombian ports.

In the summer of 1869 a treaty was concluded between the government of the Republic and that of the United States of America, which gave to the latter the exclusive right to construct an inter-oceanic canal across the Isthmus of Darien, at any point which may be selected by the United States. The Colombian Govern- ment cede six miles of land on each side of the canal, and are to receive 10 per cent, of the net income for the first 10 years, and, after the canal is paid for, 25 per cent, of the net profits. The surveys are to be made within two years after the ratification of the treaty, and the canal begun within five years and finished within fifteen years after the ratification, otherwise the charter fails. The charter runs for 100 years. The canal is to be under the control of the United States, and navigation is to be open to all nations in time of peace, but closed to belligerents.

Money, Weights, and Measures.

The money, weights, and measures of Colombia, and the British equivalents, _are : —

Money.

The Peso, or dollar, of 10 reals: approximate value, 4s. The currency is entirely specie, the gold coins consisting of double condors, of 20 pesos, condors, and half condors, and the silver of pesos, reals, half reals, and quarter reals. There are no copper coins. In foreign mercantile transactions, the French five-franc piece, equal to one pese, is most generally in use.

Weights and Measures.

The weights and measures recognised by the government are French. In custom-house business the kilogramme, equal to 2,205 pounds avoirdupois, is the standard. In ordinary commerce, the arroba, of 25 pounds, the quintal, of 100 pounds, and the carga, of 250 pounds, are generally used. The Colombian libra is equal to 1,102 pounds avoirdupois. As regards measures of length, the English yard is mostly employed, but in liquid measure the French litre is the legal standard.

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