Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/64

42 strange medley of different races and colours.

The republic of Mexico imposes more enormous dues and charges upon commerce and shipping than any country in the world.

Pilotage-money is exacted from foreign shipping, whether the vessel needs or takes up a pilot, or not.

Ship-papers are immediately handed, on arrival, to a custom-house officer, who gives the captain an acknowledgment for them. The charge for ballast (which is a monopoly in the hands of barge proprietors) is shamefully exorbitant, and presses very heavily on ship-owners and others. No foreign ship is allowed to supply itself with ballast by means of its own boats, on any account.

Assistance given to vessels in distress is too frequently charged for at an enormous rate; and on the west coast of Mexico especially, accidents are often occurring from the scarcity, or total want, of either light-houses, buoys, or moorings. As much as from seventy-five to a hundred pounds, English money, is frequently paid by a foreign vessel for the three items of pilotage, bill of health, and tonnage duty.