Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/469

Rh The native manufactures, of which I have spoken in the beginning of this Section, have shared the fate of those of Spain: they have fallen gradually into disuse, as the Mexicans have discovered that much better things may be obtained at a much lower price, and will soon disappear altogether. Qŭerētărŏ, indeed, is still supported by a Government contract for clothing the army; but the cotton-spinners at La Pūēblă, and in other towns of the Interior, have been compelled to turn their industry into some other channel.

This, in a country where the population is so scanty, is not only not to be regretted, but may be regarded as highly advantageous: a few of the towns, indeed, may suffer by the change at first, but the general interests of the country will be promoted, as well as those of the foreign manufacturer, who may not only hope for a return in valuable raw produce for his manufactures, from the labour of these additional hands, but must see the demand for European productions increase, exactly in proportion to the decrease in the value of the home-made cotton and woollen manufactures, which averaged, before the Revolution, ten millions of dollars annually.

This sum is now added to the wants of the country, or, in other terms, to the amount of European manufactures annually consumed by New Spain.

Such are the principal changes which the Revolution has produced in the intercourse between Mexico and Europe. It would be superfluous to trace