Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/470

440 them through all the minor branches of the actual Trade of the country, nor have I the means of doing so in an authentic shape, the returns from the different ports having been very irregular during the last three years, which have barely allowed time for the adoption of the measures necessary in order to afford some prospect of regularity in future.

To the West, the want of returns has been still greater, some of the ports now most frequented, (as Măzătlān and Gūāymăs,) having had no Custom-house establishment at all before the end of 1825; while that of San Blas was noted for the extreme laxity of its administration.

It will, therefore, be necessary to confine my investigations to the following points, upon which I shall hazard some general observations:

First, the amount of the trade of Mexico in 1827, estimated roughly by the produce of the Customs, and the number of ships employed.

Secondly. The probability of an increase, or decrease, in this amount, in the course of the next five years. And

Thirdly. The system at present pursued with regard to Foreign Trade, and the ameliorations of which it is susceptible.

The first of these points admits of something like