Smuggling prevails at present, to a most disgraceful extent, both upon the Eastern,[1] and the Western Coast. A very large proportion of the European manufactures transmitted through the United States, pays no duties at all; and there is little doubt that it is the hope of introducing their cargoes upon similar terms, (in conjunction with some local grievances, to which I shall have occasion to allude presently,) that has induced the masters of so many merchant ships, on the Pacific side, to desert the port of San Blas, and to clear at Măzătlān and Gūāymăs, where, until 1825, there was no Custom-house establishment at all.
All these circumstances render it impossible to hazard a calculation with regard to the actual consumption of Mexico; as neither the amount of the Imports, nor that of the Exports, nor any fair estimate of the illicit trade, can be obtained.
That it must exceed that of 1824 is evident; and it is equally clear that the quantity of European manufactures consumed must be infinitely greater (perhaps in the ratio of eight or ten to one,) than at any period before the Revolution, when a profit of a hundred and fifty per cent, was obtained upon
- ↑ Principally by small American schooners with the northern ports of Tampico, Soto de la Marina, &c. &c. Smuggling in Veracruz, in consequence of an improved system in their Custom-house, &c. is rendered very difficult; indeed, it is now confined almost to the richer and less bulky sort of goods—silks, silk stockings, &c. &c.
