centuries from the mines of America, would form a sphere of a diameter of 20% metres. The Castillian marc contains 0.*229,881. Out of the Castillian marc 84 piastres are coined; and as this marc corresponds to 229°.881 of the new French weight, the weight of the piastre is 279,045. As the title ought to be 10den, 20gr., or 0.903, the piastre is worth, considering it as perfect in weight and title, 5 francs 43 cent. The Castillian marc of pure gold is worth 1451% piastres; and the marc of pure silver is worth 9 or piastres. We have already estimated the kilogramme of pure gold at 3444 francs 44*. 444. and that of pure silver, at 222 francs 22*. 222. As in the mines and mints of America, they do not always compute marcs of gold and silver at the same standard or title, we are embarrassed whenever we labour on memoirs in which the standard is not expressed. The error however cannot exceed a tenth, a quantity which does not appear so sensible when we take averages of several years, and when we reflect on the mass of precious metals, on which the fifth is not paid. ADDITIONS. WHEN the impression of this work was completely finished, I received by the way of Spain, the states of commerce printed at Vera Cruz in the years 1804, 1805, and 1806. Mexico continued in the enjoyment of peace till 1805, but since that period, the maritime war, and other political circumstances, have very much impeded commercial transactions. Although a state of things so extraordinary has resulted from this position, that the Balance of Commerce, can give us no information respecting the increase or diminution of the national wealth, it appeared however to me interesting, to present here the most recent statistical information which I could obtain respecting that part of the Spanish Colonies in America. Commerce of Vera Cruz in 1804. Importation {. national produce ":} 14,906,060 from Spain \ In foreign produce 4,493,736 Importation from America - - - - 1,619,682 ti * (for span - 18,08337. 1 for America - 3,424,511 o'+* Vera Cruz - Total amount of the Commerce - - 37,983,624 Among the national productions imported at Vera Cruz from Spain, there were 48,785 hogsheads of spirits, the value of which is 1,235,130 piastres; 43,162 hogsheads (value 837,776 piastres) of red and white wine; 20,946 arrobas (value 78,456 piastres) of oil; 19,721 pounds (value 287,057 piastres) of saffron; 79,200 bottles (value 78,456 piastres) of beer; 136,381 reams (value 486,583 piastres) of paper; 73,827 quintals (value 812,707 piastres) of iron; 8108 quintals (value 53,052 piastres) of steel; and silks, woollens, linens, muslins, and hats contained in chests, which the merchants are not obliged to open at the custom-house, to the value of more than six millions of piastres. “ Among the foreign productions imported from Spain there were silks, cottons, cloths, and other stuffs, to the value of four millions of piastres; 47,236 pounds (value 168,171 piastres) of cinnamon; 28,167 pounds (value 85,952 piastres) of cloves; and .2997 quintals (value 51,477 piastres) of steel. Among the American productions imported from the other Spanish Colonies at Vera Cruz, there were 27,814 arrobas (value 576,836 piastres) of wax from the Havannah; 1928 arrobas (value 26,068 piastres) of wax from Campeachy; 18,482 fanegas (value 461,845 piastres) of cocoa of Tabasco; 8,141 famegas (value 2,055 piastres) of cocoa of Caracas; 49,535 quintals (value 100,219 piastres) of Campeachy wood; and 18,496 fanegas (value 37,845 piastres) of salt. Among the indigenous productions exported from Mexico for the Mother Country, there were 381,509 arrobas (value 1,097,505 piastres) of sugar; 11,737 arrobas (value 1,220,193 piastres) of fine cochineal (the result of a very moderate harvest); 867 arrobas (value 24,414 piastres) of granilla; 464 arrobas (value 5,816 piastres) of cochineal in dust; 189,897 pounds (value 367,302 piastres) of indigo; 37,797 quintals (value 77,485 piastres) of Campeachy wood; 1,818 quintals (value 62,411 piastres) of jalap; 7,169 quintals (value 96,784 piastres) of sarsaparilla; 1,014 thousand (value 111,195 piastres) of vanilla; and 3,786 fanegas (value 124,819 piastres) of cocoa of Tabasco. There were besides exported 18,801 fanegas (value 460,585 piastres) of cocoa of Guayaquil. The exportation of coined silver amounted to 16,847,843 piastres. The Havannah received from Vera Cruz, 26,371 trosos (value 417,709 piastres) of Mexican flour. In 1804 there entered Vera Cruz from Spain 107 vessels; from the Spanish Colonies in America. 123. In this state neither the 13,500,000 piastres exported on account of the king of Spain, nor the 20,000 quintals of mercury imported on account of the government, have been included. o Commerce of Vera Crus in 1805:—Impor. tation from Spain in national produce, 1,514,473 piastres (of which in paper alone 60,617 reams, or 582,769 piastres); in foreign produce and goods 574,963 piastres. Importation from Ame. rica 1,262,907 piastres, (whereof in Havannah wax alone 19,964 arrobas, or 547,304 piastres). Exportation for Spain 10,200 piastres; for America 330,546 piastres. Exportation in neutral vessels 562,04S. Total amount of the commerce 4,355,137 piastres. Number of vessels entered at Vera Cruz from Spain, 27, from America, 77. Commerce of Vera Cruz in 1806:—Impor. tation from Spain in Spanish productions 1,815,579 piastres; in foreign produce 327,295 piastres. Importation from America 1,499,244 piastres. Importation in neutral vessels 3,485,655 piastres. Exportation for Spain 803,037 piastres; for neutralports 4,101,534 piastres; consequently, total importation 7,137,773 piastres. Total exportation 5,478,762 piastres. Total amount of the commerce, 12,616,535 piastres. There entered Vera Cruz in 1806 from Spain, eight embarcations; from the other Spanish Colonies of America, 90; and from neutral ports, 37. |