Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/450

420 millions, to 34,381,352 dollars; and, as I have perhaps underrated the value of the quicksilver and paper, which may have amounted to something more than one million and a half of dollars annually, the difference between the amount given by the Consulado Reports, and the calculations of the Essai Politique, although still considerable, is much reduced.

During this same period, the consumption of woollens, and cottons, of home manufacture, in Mexico, is supposed to have amounted, at least, to ten millions of dollars annually; or to two hundred and fifty millions on the whole term of twenty-five years; so that the home manufactures very nearly equalled in value the whole of the registered importations from Europe and America, (259,105,940 dollars,) notwithstanding the taste for the finer articles of European industry, (such as lace, rich silks, and fine cloths,) which Humboldt states to have become very prevalent about the beginning of this century.

It is true that the registered importation of European manufactures, does not give, by any means, the amount of the real consumption of the country; for an average importation of 8,977,883 dollars, would only give, on a population of six millions, a consumption of twelve reals, (or one dollar and a half,) for each individual, in the year; while, according to the calculations of the Veracruz Consulado, the consumption of the produce and manufactures of the