Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/119

 M EX IC O, 87 1700, the whole of the supplies destined for America were introduced through the ports of Portobello and Veracruz ; from the first of which, remittances were made through Pa- nama, (on the opposite side of the Isthmus,) to the whole line of coast on the Pacific, comprising Giiyaquil, Quito, Chile, and Peru. During the war of Succession, the trade with Peru was opened to the French ; and many Americans are of opinion, that, to this temporary enjoyment of the sweets of foreign intercourse, the present revolution may be traced. At the peace of Utrecht, (1713,) Great Britain, with the Asiento, (or contract for the supply of slaves,) ob- tained a direct participation in the American trade, in virtue of the permission granted her, to send a vessel of five hun- dred tons annually to the fair of Portobello. This privilege ceased with the partial hostilities of 1737? but Spain found herself compelled, on the restoration of peace, in 1739, to make some provision for meeting that additional demand, which this comparatively free communication with Europe had created. Licenses were granted with this view to vessels, called register-ships, which were chartered during the inter- vals between the usual periods for the departure of the gal- leons. In 1764, a farther improvement was made, by the establishment of monthly packets to the Havanna, Portorico, and Buenos Ayres, which were allowed to carry out a half cargo of goods. This was followed, in 177^? by the removal of the interdict upon the intercourse of the Colonies with each other ; and this again, in 177^? by what is termed the decree of Free Trade, by which seven of the principal ports of the Peninsula were allowed to carry on a direct intercourse with Buenos Ayres, and the South Sea. It cannot be denied that these ameliorations were attended with the happiest effect ; but still, they were insufficient. The growing importance of the Colonies required more than the Mother country was able to supply ; while the conces- sions already made, only rendered the restraints still imposed