Page:Guatimala or the United Provinces of Central America in 1827-8.pdf/223

Rh that, if before the revolution our imports and exports united, did not exceed two millions of dollars, they may now be fairly considered to have advanced to four millions.” After recapitulating the other productions of the country, the commissioners express their conviction, that the commerce of the country will go forward, increasing in the same ratio, and urge the immediate cultivation of the various fruits with which the country abounds. The internal commerce they calculate at about a million of dollars.

This report must however be considered as far too flattering. That for some years previous to the revolution the commerce of the country was retrograding, is evident from the fact, that on the 24th of April, 1819, a decree was published in the Havanna, which after stating the falling condition of the kingdom of Guatimala, and the importance of supporting that valuable possession, and fomenting its agriculture, ordains, that the indigo and other fruits and productions of these provinces, shall enter the ports of the Havanna free of all duties, and in their re-exportation enjoy the same privilege. That the cultivation of indigo received a considerable impulse from the causes stated, is equally true,—but owing to the disturbed state of the country, the harvests have not exceeded hitherto in any considerable degree, those of former years. That