Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part I

No. 492.
Mr. Peixotto to Mr. Fish.

Consulate of the United States of America,
Bucharest, September 10, 1872.

No. 36.]

Sir: This country has attracted very unusual attention during several years past on account of two questions which have disturbed not only its internal tranquillity, but at one time threatened to involve the peace of Europe. The first question, that of the railways, has been finally adjusted through the intervention of Germany, many of whose subjects but for this act would have been almost hopelessly ruined through being possessors of upward of 200,000,000 francs of the Roumanian railway-bonds, which at one time stood a fair chance of being repudiated. Failing to obtain any satisfaction from the Roumanian government, Prince Bismarck had recourse to the Suzerain Porte, whose earnest argurnents, stipported particularly by England and Austria, had the desired effect.

The second question, that of the Israelites, has not yet met with a solution, but good hopes are entertained for an early settlement. Stretching from 43° 38ʹ to 48° 50ʹ north latitude, and 23° to 29° 30ʹ longitude east of Greenwich, Roumania is bounded on the north and west by Austria, on the east by Russia and the Black Sea, and on the south by Turkey. The form of the country is that of an arch turned to the northwest; its topographical configuration and aspect show an amphitheater rising gradually from the Danube and the Pruth toward the Carpathian Mountains.

Its soil partakes of the system of the Carpathians and the basin of the Lower Danube; it is divided, after its nature, into three zones; (a) mountainous region, rich with minerals and timber; (b) hilly region, covered mostly with prairie-grass and grape-vines; and (c) regions of field-land formed of the left plain of the Danube and the territory contained between the Pruth and Black Sea. Its area is 2,210 geographical square miles.

The country is divided into thirty-three districts, of which thirteen are mountainous and the balance plains. This division dates from the time of its organic regulation, 1835, but is pronounced to be irregular and not to conform to the interests of the inhabitants.

orography.

The mountains of Roumania are a ramification of the Bastamic Alps or Carpathians; their height varies between 2,587 and 8, 160 feet above the level of the Black Sea. Their aspect is commanding, in many places resembling the position of Switzerland. They form a chain of the large Carpathians, which, beginning from above the town of Folti-ceni, surround the country from the west to the north, till Orsora, forming thus a natural wall. The two highest mountains are the Ceahlan, or the Pion, and the Caraiman, the former measuring 2,750 meters, the-latter 2,650 meters—over 8,000 feet.

hydrography.

The numerous valleys which cross Wallachia in her breadth and Moldavia in her length carry along with them the waters which flow from the north to the south, and partly to the east, and empty into the Danube. They facilitate the production and transportation of the products from the upper parts of the country to the ports of the Danube. The largest rivers are the Danube, the Pruth, Sereth, Moldova, Bistritza, Prahova, Dimbovitza, Aluta, Argest, Zin.

Pew countries possess so many rivulets; their course is from the north to the south. Most of the lakes are near the Danube. Besides, there are numerous springs containing mineral waters, especially sulphur, iron, salt-sulphur, aluminum-sulphur, iron-carbon-sulphur. Roumania has also three hundred isles in the Danube and thirty in the Aluta and Zin.

climate.

The climate of the country is generally healthy and mild. In summer there are often violent storms, with thunder, lightning, and hail. The part from Tecuciñ and above, from Ploiesti, Targu, Vestei, and Pitesti, and likewise across the Aluta, are more sheltered; the balance of the land is open toward the Black Sea, and exposed to the capricious winds coming thence. The winters are cold. The rivers, and even the Danube, freeze completely, so that the heaviest wagons can cross in safety. Spring and autumn are the finest and pleasantest seasons. The temperature varies from 12° 4’ to 29° 7’, i e., the cold reaches 12° and the warmth 29°, Reaumur, according to observations which I have made in the shade at Bucharest.

origin and nationality.

The Roumanians, who inhabit the two great slopes of the Carpathians to the mouths of the Danube, are a people of the Latin race, descendants of the Roman colonists brought into ancient Darcia. Their features, costumes, habits, and especially their language, appear to sufficiently attest this fact. The Roumanians inhabit, besides Roumania, the Austrian provinces of Temisana, Grisana, Maramures, Transylvania, and Buckowina; Bessarabia, Dobroga, a part of Macedonia, and Thessaly, under the name of Cotzovlaks. The total number of Roumanians is estimated at from 9,000,000 to 12,000,000; those inhabiting Roumania at 5,000,000.

The nationalities populating Roumania are: 1, Roumanians; 2, Greeks, Servians, and Bulgarians; 3, Armenians, Lithuanians, and Gypsies; 4, Italians and French; 5, Hungarians, Germans, and Poles.

language.

The Roumanian language is derived from the Latin, but, under the influence of Dacians, Sclavonians, and Greeks, it has been much changed, and many foreign words have been introduced. Yet it is nearer the mother-tongue than the French, Spanish, and even Italian; its verbs, which constitute half of the language, having suffered but little modification.

religion.

The number of those belonging to the Greek orthodox church is estimated at 4,250,000, composed of Roumanians, Greeks, Servians, Bulgarians, Albanians, and others. Other religions are estimated as follows:

Roman Catholics	200,000
Hebrews	250,000
Protestants	49,000
Armenians	14,000
Mahommedans	1,500
Lithuanians	15,500
Other sects	50,000
Total	580,000

Few, if any, countries have so many churches and monasteries. Some of the monasteries were established by different princes, others by private pious persons. The towns have numerous churches; Bucharest alone 300. The number of churches is estimated at 6,751; priests, 9,800; monks, 4,670; nuns, 4,080.

education.

The education law of 1866 introduced compulsory and gratuitous education. The law is executed by the minister of culture, a general council of instruction which meets once a year, a permanent council of instruction, and the directors of the schools.

The following are the schools and number of pupils:

		Pupils.
2,141	Communal or primary schools, for boys and girls, with	60,404
129	primary schools, for girls	19,634
103	primary schools, for girls	7,613
3	real schools, for boys	224
15	gymnasiums, for boys	979
6	lyceums	1,487
8	seminaries	1,563
		91,904
		Students.
1	school of medicine and pharmacy	125
1	Macedonian-Roumanian school	24
5	secondary schools, for girls	450
2	commercial schools	187
2	normal schools	197
2	universities, (Bucharest and Jassy)	487
2	schools of art	57
2	conversatories of music	243
		1,770
	Total	93,674

Besides a considerable number of private schools, of which some of the best are Roman Catholic and Israelitish. The average attendance at these schools is scarcely 85,000. The number of teachers employed is 3,863, 1,260 of whom are professors in the universities, the lyceums, gymnasiums, and trade-schools, and 2,576 in the primary and rural schools.

industry.

Agriculture is the prominent occupation and chief resource of the country. It is estimated that 700,000 families are engaged in cultivating the soil. The villages are occupied almost exclusively by land-laborers, who mostly manufacture their implements of husbandry, which are of the crudest character, as well as provide for their own subsistence. Since the rural law (which permitted the peasants on certain conditions to become land-holders) the cultivation of the soil is more earnestly prosecuted.

The execution of the rural law has been made as follows:

1. On 7, 100 private properties, 269,915 peasants have become landholders. They have obtained 1,962,629 pogones. The amount of the indemnification to be given for these lands is 9,355,505 francs.

2. Upon the state properties, in number of 1,493,144,520 peasants have received 995,282 pogones; the indemnification to be paid is 4,618,988 francs.

The land is divided in—

	Pogones.*
Cultivated land	12,636,618
Timber-land	4,029,947
Unproductive land	7,574,356

On the cultivated land gardens occupy 308,477 pogones; cultivated land occupies 4,442,924 pogones; hay occupies 1,848,775 pogones; pasture occupies 5,845,135 pogones; grape-vines occupy 191,307 pogones.

The working-power employed at agriculture are agriculture hands, 684, 168; horses, 284,028; yoke-cattle, 961,973; wagons, 338,869; plows, 159,510; machines, 2, 000.

The soil contains in its bosom gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, quicksilver, &c; but the mines are not explored. There are also other rich minerals.

The approximate annual production has been as follows: 1,119,119 pogones wheat, giving 2,300,000 kilograms; 221,547 pogones rye, giving 370,000 kilograms; 2,069,510 pogones corn, giving 3,000,000 kilograms; 453,928 pogones barley, giving 300,000 kilograms; 121,880 pogones oats, giving 1,200,000 kilograms; 252,880 pogones millet, giving 370,000 kilograms.

The country also produces a large amount of vegetables and fruits, 4,000,000 vadras of wine, and 56,000,000 okas^* salt.

The annual consumption consists in wheat, 720,000 kilograms; rye, 310,000 kilograms; corn, 1,700,000 kilograms; barley and oats, 1,300,000 kilograms; millet, 360,-000 kilograms; beans, 11,000,000 okas; hemp, 1,700,000 okas; flax, 700,000 okas; tobacco, 1,200,000 okas; potatoes, 10,000,000 okas; hay, 2,000,000 wagon-loads; value, francs	200,000,000
Wine, 3,900,000 vadras; corn-brandy, 700,000 vadras;	38,000,000
Salt, 40,000,000 okas, value, francs	7,000,000
Animals, 1,600,000, value, francs	40,000,000
Coal, 1,800,000, value, francs	40,000
Wood, 3,000,000 stangeni,† (klafter,) value, francs	10,000,000
Other products, value, francs	33,000,000
Total, francs	325,040,000

Adding to this amount the consumption of imported objects, amounting to 90,000,000 francs, the total amount of the consumption is more than 400,000,000 francs.

commerce.

From the commercial stand-point Roumania is, by its geographical position, as well as its topographic form, much favored. Its internal and external commerce increases from day today; the railways will make this country a true European bazar. Besides the navigable rivers, Pruth, Sereth, Bistritza, Aluta, Jin, Roumania possesses the Danube, this natural road which flows along the richest and most fruitful fields from Varciorova to the Black Sea, a distance of more than 150 leagues, (450 miles.)

1. Export.—The medium value of exports is, francs, 198,000,000, and consists, viz: Animals, 13,800,000 francs; products of animals, 21, 156,000 francs; manufactured products of animals, 2,613,000 francs; cereals, 146,432,000 francs; seeds, 5,892,000 francs; manufactured seeds, 722,-000 francs; vegetables, 120,000 francs; fruits, 153,000 francs; manufactured fruits, 225,000 francs; woods, 2,502,000 francs; manufactured woods, 235,000 francs; minerals, 1,937,000 francs; manufacture of minerals, 1,418,000 francs; foreign objects, (imported and re-exported,) 811, 000 francs.

2. Import.—All objects of luxury are imported. This is owing to the neglect of schools and industrial institutions. The total value of the yearly imports is 90,000,000 francs; of which from Turkey and France are imported 13, 153,000 francs; objects necessary for industry, especially from Austria and England, 13,306,000 francs; manufactured objects, (from Austria, France, and England,) 54,341,000 francs; objects (likewise produced in the country) from Austria and Russia, 9,988,000 francs.

3. Ports.—There are eighteen ports, viz: Galatz, Braila, Giurgevo, Turnu, Severin, Oltenitza, Ismail, Calafal, Bechet, Chilia, Stirbey, (Calarash,) Gura, Falomitza, Reni, Turnu, Zimnicea, Yilcor, Gruia, Var-ciorova, Islaz. All are situated on the Danube, from Varciorava (Austrian frontier) to the Black Sea.

4. Navigation.—The navigation carried on in the Danube, from Turna Severin to Braila and Galatz, is only coasting. From the two latter large ports^* commences true commercial navigation. The ocean and river vessels entering the ports of the country amount yearly to 12,000, with a tonnage of 1,600,000; those clearing to 11,000, with a capacity of 1,700,000 tons. The greatest part of these vessels sail under foreign flags; only 1,000 under the Roumanian. Besides these, the government owns two gun-boats.

financial and finances.

The financial organization introduced in 1862 is based on the French system. The chief source of revenue is a capitation tax of 30 piasters (a little over $2) per head on the rural population, with a higher scale for tradesmen and merchants. Direct taxes, the profits from state property and the tobacco monopoly, produce about one-half of the national income. In 1867, on the initiative of Prince Charles, the whole taxation of the country was revised and a new monetary system adopted, designed to be international, the unit being the Leu, equal to one franc.

The total estimated revenues for 1872 are 73, 105,401 francs, viz:

Direct contributions, 20,676,766 francs; indirect contributions, 17,974,-587”francs; domains and forests, 19,796,217 francs; post telegraph and railway, 3,553,476 francs; diverse incomes, 4,599,095 francs; extraordinary revenues, 7,919,790 francs.

The expenditures of the country are estimated at 83, 105,401 francs, viz: council of ministers, 41, 168 francs; public debt, 30,677,385 francs; legislature, 1,800,000 francs; court of accounts, 180,000 francs; service of finance, 8,000,000 francs; service of tobacco, 300,000 francs; treasury of deposits, 180,000 francs; department of interior, 8,015,076 francs; department of justice, 3,928,863 francs; department of culture and instruction, 8,077,424 francs; department of state, 646,562 francs; department of war, 14,651,210 francs; department of agriculture and public works, 5,568,153 francs; extraordinary credits, 1,039,560 francs. Showing a deficit of 10,000,000 francs.

The public debt of the country is 470,000,000 francs, and consists of a foreign debt of 392,000,000 francs, contracted principally for railways, and an internal debt of 78,000,000.

army and military organization.

The standing army consists of eight regiments of infantry numbering 18,529 men; four regiments of cavalry, (two of lancers, two of chasseurs,) numbering 2,226 men; six batteries of artillery, 2,246 men; two battalions of génie, (engineers,) 1,328 men.

The chambers, in the spring of 1872, modified the law of the organization of the army of 1868. According to the new regulation the army contains four distinct elements:

a. Standing army with its reserve.

b. Territorial army with its reserve.

c. The militia.

d. National guard.

All the inhabitants, native and naturalized, must bear arms. Those from twenty-one to twenty-nine years must serve in the standing or territorial army; those from twenty-one to thirty-seven who have not been drawn for the regular or territorial army, and those aged twenty-nine to thirty-seven who have served in the standing or territorial army, must serve in the militia. In the cities those from thirty-six to forty-five, and in the rural communes those from thirty-seven to forty-six years, must serve in the national guard. The term of service for the standing army is four years in active service and four years in the reserve. For the territorial army, six years active service and two years reserve. Volunteers from eighteen to twenty-one years, serving one year in the standing or two years in the territorial army, may reduce their active service three years and pass to the reserve. The army (including the national guard) is under the administration of the minister of war. The country is divided into eight territorial military divisions.

judicial organization.

The actual legislation of Roumania is based on the Code Napoléon, which, somewhat modified after the exigencies of local customs and traditions, has been introduced in 1865. To day, Roumania has a high court of cassation and justice composed of twenty-three members, established at Bucharest; four courts of appeal at Bucharest, Jassy, Fok-shani, and Crajora, with two hundred and forty-one members and other functionaries; thirty-two jury courts for criminal processes; thirty-two tribunals of first instance, one in each residence of district, (except Bolgrad,) and several commercial tribunals. The minister of justice appoints the magistrates, submits the projects of laws, promulgates and controls their application. Though possessing a constitution of remarkable liberality, (modeled after that of Belgium,) the laws enacted and administered have neither been in conformity with its provisions nor in accordance with the simplest principles of justice. Juries (who can neither read nor write) are notoriously ignorant.

concluding remarks.

The “principality of Roumania was definitely constituted in 1859 by the political union of Wallachia and Moldavia, which was finally conceded by a firman of the Sultan, dated November 12, 1861. Colonel Couza, a former prefect of Galatz, was the first prince chosen under the title of Alexander John I. A revolution which broke out at Bucharest on the 23d February, 1866, forced Couza to abdicate, and subsequently Prince Charles of Hohenzollern Signaringen, (born April 20, 1839,) was chosen on May 10, and recognized by the Turkish government on July 11, 1866.

The constitution now in force was voted by a constituent assembly, elected by universal suffrage June 30, (O. S.,) 1866. The charter vests the legislative power in a parliament of two houses, a senate of seventy-four members, and a chamber of deputies of one hundred and fifty-seven deputies. The prince is elected for life, and receives an annual salary of $200,000. He possesses the suspensive veto power, and executes the laws, assisted by a council of seven ministers. The present ministry is composed as follows:

• President and minister of interior, Laxar Catargi.
• Foreign affairs, George Costaforo.
• Finance, Peter Mavrogheui.
• War, Bmile Floresco.
• Public works, N. Cretzulesco.
• Education and public worship, Christian Tell.

The autonomy of Roumania was semi-offieially recognized, and the principalities placed under the collective protection of Turkey, England, France, Russia, Austria, Germany, and Italy by the treaties of Paris of 1856–58. A tribute of about $200,000 is, however, still paid to the Porte, and it is claimed that its independence relates simply to its internal affairs, which must not conflict with the recognized principles of comity and international law. The prevailing religion is that of the Greek orthodox Church; the ecclesiastical authority is vested in a primate of Bucharest and Jassy.

Public works are advancing. The telegraph has been established in all the principal towns; there are sixty telegraphic stations, and the extent of lines 3,314 kilometers. A telegram of twenty words costs 30 cents, to any part of the country. The number of post-offices is sixty-three; single postage to the interior, 10 bani, (2 cents.) During the past month through railway connections have been completed, carrying the traveler from Bucharest, via Galatz Roman, Lemberz, to Vienna in fifty hours. The new railway society is prosecuting their works with great vigor, and in a highly creditable manner. The line to Varciorova (running through the whole length of Wallachia) to the Austrian frontier is under contract to be completed in three years. The work is already finished to Pitesti.

Bucharest, the capital, contains a population variously estimated from 170,000 to 190,000. I think the former figure sufficiently high. During the past year the city has been lit by gas, and the principal streets are now being laid with American tramways.

All public improvements have been conceived and carried out by foreigners and foreign capital, and all the advance made is due wholly to foreign influence; yet, notwithstanding, prejudice against the foreigner dies lingeringly, and toward the Israelites, who are treated as strangers, (though compelled to pay taxes and serve in the army,) breaks out periodically in scenes of violence and robbery. Indeed, the persecutions of the Hebrews have become a scandal to civilization, and have on several occasions evoked—as during the present year, after the outrages of Ismallo and Cabool, and the mock-trials of Buzeo—the interposition of foreign governments.

Upon the mercy and justice of the prince, who fortunately is a humane and intelligent ruler, rests, in many instances, the liberty and prosperity (capital punishment was abolished under Corza) of the unfortunate Hebrew.

I may add that the present ministry are more united, have held their portfolios longer, and are inspired by higher sentiments than probably that of any cabinet the prince has hitherto, out of eight distinct changes, been able to bring about him. When it is considered that the ministers are responsible to the legislature, and that upon them rest the burdens of administration, this fact evinces a more perfect insight of the prince into the peculiar characteristics and politics of the country, and augurs favorably for the future. If the prince and cabinet, instead of yielding, even though but temporarily, to the uninstructed sentiment of the people, played upon by demagogues, would rise superior, lead and direct the national mind, the progress of the nation would be secured and make no more retrogressions.

The Israelites, who number nearly 250,000 of the population, are, for the most part, devoted to handicraft trades. In all the towns, the carpenters, joiners, glaziers, painters, tinners, tailors, shoe-makers, hat-makers, &c., are principally Hebrews. Not a few are engaged in banking, commerce, and mercantile trade; and it is against this class, in reality, that hatred and jealousy are cherished, (fostered by the Greek and Bulgarian, who are their competitors,) though the poorer classes are made the victims.

In spite of many drawbacks, however, the spirit of western civilization and progress is reaching and extending its influence, and many years cannot elapse before great changes will be wrought in the moral and political, as well as material and social, condition of the country.

I am, &c.,

BENJ. F. PEIXOTTO.

1. A pogone is 1/10000 of part of a geographical square mile.
2. An oka has 2¼ pounds,
3. A stangeni is 6¼ feet.
4. From Braila I present (appendix) a report of the commerce for 1870, made up by Mr. Marco Cohen, a highly intelligent merchant of that city. Alt Galatz I presume the consul there has transmitted a report.