Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/466

436 the Trade of Alvarado and Veracruz in 1824, was not by any means the Trade of Mexico; for, although the British vessels chartered for the Gulph, still cleared exclusively at these two ports, no less than five thousand tons of American shipping are known to have been employed, in 1824, in the trade between Tampico and the United States.

It becomes, therefore, doubly necessary to ascertain the amount of this Trade, (which consisted principally in the importation of European goods,) before any estimate can be formed of that of the country in general; but this is unfortunately impossible; no authentic information upon the subject, either public or private, having yet been obtained.

Allowing, however, four millions of dollars for the value of the Imports and Exports in the 5000 tons of shipping admitted to have been employed, and adding these four millions to the gross amount of the trade of Alvarado and Veracruz, (16,776,587 dollars) there will be found to be but little difference between the Trade of Mexico in 1824, and its annual average value before the declaration of Independence, viz.: 21,545,606 dollars, omitting, of course, the Imports and Exports on the account of the Royal Treasury, and taking only those comprehended in the Balanza General.

It was in the mode of introduction, and in the quality of the articles introduced, rather than in their aggregate amount, that the greatest change took place.