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552 being frequently lost or miscarried. Foreign mails to Europe and the United States were principally carried by the English steamers, and it was not until May 1862, when a mail line of steamers was established between Mexico and the United States, that the postal convention agreed upon came into operation. Since that time, the system has gradually improved and the service increased. Within the last few years the system of post-office orders has been adopted, and has gained popularity. At the beginning of 1884 a new postal code went into effect, by which the rates of postage were reduced; the sale of stamps, hitherto greatly restricted, was made free; and an urban service was organized upon the basis of the best systems known. The new urban system has met with much favor in the metropolis, and under the able management of Postmaster Lino Nava, the carrier service is excellent, and the delivery prompt and accurate.

Congress having decreed the coinage of $4,000,000 of nickel pieces of one cent, two cents, and five cents, these coins were distributed proportionately throughout the republic, as they were issued from the mint. In order to promote a favorable acceptance of them, they were made receivable at the custom-houses in any quantity. The result was, that large sums of the new coinage were withdrawn from circulation by speculators, who, discovering that an opportunity of profit