Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/91

Rh It is but fair to add, that the disinclination of the Mexicans to co-operate in many of the plans suggested, has been not a little increased by the discovery that some of our boasted improvements have not been productive of any solid advantage, while others have proved complete failures; and where this is the case, it is next to impossible, in any Country, to substitute new methods, merely because they are new, for a practice, which time has already rendered familiar.

Experience has now induced most of the Companies to retrace their steps, and to reduce their Establishments in such a manner as to make the Management strictly European, while the operative part is confided to Natives; but this experience has been dearly bought. The Anglo-Mexican Company alone had expended, in September 1826, nearly 30,000l. in salaries to men, almost all of whom have now been dismissed; and full 100,000l. in Machinery (including duties and carriage from the Coast,) not one twentieth part of which either has been, or ever can be, made use of; the