Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/487

Rh of seeing the demand fall far short of that which now exists, since, in local, as in mental improvement, each step in advance facilitates the next, and Mexico has already surmounted the greatest difficulty, the commencement of a new career.

Without pretending, therefore, to fix the ultimate value of her Commerce to Europe, or to Great Britain in particular, I confess that I cannot but regard it as likely to acquire great, and lasting, importance.

It can be checked by nothing but the most injudicious legislative interference on the part of the Mexican Government; and this I see no reason, at present, to apprehend; for, however ill-judged many parts of the present System may be, there has been a gradual tendency towards improvement, during the last three years, which augurs well for the future, and warrants the expectation of a better order of things.

This brings me to the third and last subject of enquiry, viz.:—"The present system with regard to Foreign Trade, and the ameliorations of which it is susceptible."

The duties on Exports and Imports, in all the ports of Mexico, are founded upon a Tariff, established by the Junta Suprema Gubernativa, (or First Independent Government,) in January 1822, but modified in some points, by subsequent acts of Congress.

According to this Tariff, a customs duty of twenty-five per cent, was made payable on all kinds of goods from all countries; which duty was to be paid