Custom-houses are, from time to time, inspected by visitadores, whose mission is to examine the books and accounts, investigate the acts of each office, and report as to the competency and attention to duty of the officials.[1]
An aduana de cabotage, or some dependency of one, is at each of the ports open to coasting trade. Foreign vessels may also come to them direct for loading with lumber or live-stock. The frontier custom-houses have undergone many changes, several of then resulting from the change of sovereignty.[2]
Early in August 1880, the government placed custom-houses on the frontier of Sonora at the places named, Quitovaquita, Sásabe, Nogales, and Palominas.[3]
The aduanas terrestres were to be found in every place of any importance throughout the country. This system was a specialty of the colonial period, and was in every way burdensome and injurious to the country's industries; yet it has been continued down to December 1884, though every minister of the treasury had condemned it and propositions had been made in congress for its suppression.[4]
In May 1882, a law was passed abolishing the alcabalas, or interstate duties, to take effect December
- ↑ They also report upon the ports and the facilities afforded for smuggling, with such suggestions as each case may demand. Arrillaga, Recop., May 1849 to Apr. 1850, app. 310-23.
- ↑ There were the following in 1876: on the northern frontier, Altar, Camargo, Guerrero, János, Magdalena, Matamoros, Mier, Monterey, Laredo, Paso del Norte, Piedras Negras, Presidio del Norte, Reinosa, and Tijuana; on the southern frontier, Soconusco and Zapaluta. Arpéroz, Cód. de Extrang., 46-7. The following are the custom-houses declared open to foreign trade by decree of Jan. 24, 1885: Pacific coast — Soconusco, maritime and frontier, Tonala, Salina Cruz, Puerto Angel, Acapulco, Manzanillo, San Blas, Mazatlan, Altata, Guaymas, La Paz, Cabo de San Lucas, Bahía de la Magdalena, Todos Santos. Gulf of Mexico — Matamoros, maritime and frontier, Tampico, Tuxpam, Vera Cruz, Coatzacoalco, Frontero, Isla del Carmen, Campeche, Progreso. North frontier — Tijuana, Quitovaquita, Nogales, Sásabe, Palominas, Ascencion, Paso del Norte, Piedras Negras, Loredo, Guerrero, Mier, and Camargo. South frontier — Zacatula. In 1884 an inspector-generalship of frontier custom-houses was created. Mex., Mem. Hac., 1884, Doc. 22; Mex., Diario Ofic., Feb. 11, 1885.
- ↑ Approved by congress in 1881, and $17,800 appropriated for salaries. Diario Debates, 10th Cong., ii. 970.
- ↑ Tovar, 2d Conf. Const., 127; Diario Debates, 8th Cong., i. 399.
