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This statement is a mere approximation and a rather favourable one, founded on the average of several years of peace at the latter end of the last century.

Loans for the benefit of the republican government have been raised by granting permits to merchants (chiefly Englishmen), to introduce cotton-twist into the country. This is a prohibited article—prohibited for the purpose of cherishing the manufacturing establishments of the republic. These merchants have prospered to a considerable extent as may be seen by the annexed table, compiled from the most authentic sources.