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Upon the larger cases, (cajones), containing 4800, and 6000 papeles, the profits are calculated, respectively, at fifty-five dollars six reals, and seventy-seven dollars one real; so that, wherever the population is dense enough to ensure a sufficient consumption, the States derive great advantage from the establishment of a fabrica of their own, which, after the first few months, generally forms a very important item in their revenue.

The opposers of monopolies in general have not failed to animadvert upon the injudicious policy of retaining that of Tobacco in Mexico, and seem to think that the country would derive more advantage from the free cultivation and exportation of the plant. I confess that I am not myself of this opinion. Mexican Tobacco, as an article of exportation, would have to contend, in the European market with that of the Island of Cuba, to