Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/562

542 freighted with merchandise entered the ports of the republic, besides 442 in ballast.

The regulations to govern merchant vessels visiting the ports of Mexico have been subjected to changes from time to time, since the establishment of the republic. The following were for the most part in force in 1887. A merchant vessel is considered to have arrived, when she has entered the territorial waters of the republic, and no person can go on board except the pilot, until she has been visited by the officer of the board of health, and by the custom-house officials. Invoices and manifests must be authenticated by the Mexican consular representative at the port of departure; or in the absence of such agent, by two responsible merchants. These documents must be made in triplicate, and be accompanied by receipts, on separate paper, for the payment of consular fees for authentication of invoice and manifest, which must contain an exact detail of quantity, kind, quality, and value of each class of goods in the cargo. The goods, moreover, must be put up in separate packages, according to the classification of the tariff. If this requirement is not followed, the highest duty is charged on all goods in the same packing-case. Masters of vessels are required to produce their ships' registers, crew lists, and documents establishing their nationality. In 1884 bonded warehouses were for the first time established in Mexico, a decree permitting the entry of bonded goods being passed March 25th.