Page:Guatimala or the United Provinces of Central America in 1827-8.pdf/237

. Probably the result of the present English speculations will solve the enigma, and prove, that the present scarcity of population, the wretched state of the roads, and other local disadvantages, increase the expenses too materially to allow of any considerable profit.

That the amount of the precious metals in circulation in the country, is considerably less than it was twenty years ago, there can be no doubt. The scarcity of produce suitable for exportation, and the duties imposed upon indigo, by the government, tend to encourage the exportation of specie, and considerable quantities both of coin and plate, are constantly shipped for Belize and Europe.

The amount of foreign goods annually imported into Guatimala may be calculated at two millions of dollars, while the quantity of produce exported does not amount to two-thirds of that sum; the overplus being probably paid in coin. Humboldt estimates the annual amount of goods introduced into Guatimala, before the revolution, at this sum, (without including the contraband trade, which at that time was considerable,) but this was certainly not the case.

From a table published in 1796, it appears, that from the years 1790, to 1794, inclusive, only nineteen vessels arrived from the peninsula, bringing with them goods of different kinds, to the