Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/563

Rh Peculiar privileges were conceded to foreign steamers before they became commercial carrying vessels. The first vessels of this kind belonged to the Royal Mail Steamship Company, and the same exemptions were granted them as to men-of-war, being free from tonnage and port dues, and from visits by customhouse officers. They were allowed to import quicksilver and goods on the free list, and export cochineal and the precious metals. The courier of the British legation conveyed, free of charge, the government mail, between the capital and Vera Cruz, in return for the privilege granted the company of receiving correspondence of merchants free of postage charges. The privileges granted the company were frequently abused by contraband proceedings, a flagrant case occurring in March 1868, when the captain of the Danube sailed out of port in defiance of the authorities, with a quantity of gold that had been smuggled on board.

The first steamers possessed by the Mexican government appear to be two, which arrived in Vera Cruz in August 1842, and which had been built in London. In 1845 a small one also plied between Sisal and Vera Cruz. During the last half of this century, many liberal concessions have been granted steamship companies, among which may be mentioned that to the Panama and California steamship company in 1849, allowing vessels to land and receive passengers and coin at the ports of Acapulco, San Bias, and Mazatlan. In 1856 a. line was established between San Francisco, California, and the ports of the Pacific. For a number of years England, owing