respecting the legality of the reduced valuations adopted in 1824; and the Minister of Finance was desired to state, by what authority British Cottons had been allowed to be imported on terms more favourable than India cottons, for which alone a valuation was fixed by the Arancel?
The Minister, in lieu of explaining the circumstances of the case, and pointing out the impossibility of levying the same duties upon articles, the intrinsic value of which differed so materially, threw the whole responsibility of what had been done upon the Custom-house officers on the coast, who, in self-defence, were compelled to inform the merchants, that no Cottons would be thenceforward admitted, but upon the payment of the full duties, in lieu of those payable upon the reduced valuations.
The injustice of such an innovation, (which amounted in fact to a prohibition) at the very moment when great importations were about to be made, in full confidence that no change could take place in the established Tariff, without due warning being given, was strongly represented to the Mexican Government; and the Executive was so far convinced of the impolicy of the measure, that an appeal to Congress was made against it, and the goods recently imported were allowed to remain in Deposit, until the point at issue should be decided.
The discussion was protracted, and the result long doubtful, for the question involved private, as
