47

centuries from the mines of America, would form a sphere of a diameter of 20,4 metres. The Castillian marc contains contains 0.229,881. Out of the Castillian marc 8 piastres are coined; and as this marc corresponds to 2298.881 of the new French weight, the weight of the piastre is 27.045. 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 145 piastres; and the marc of pure silver is worth 9, piastres. We have already estimated the kilogramme of pure gold at 3444 francs 44cent. 444. and that of pure silver, at 222 francs 22 cent. 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 take averages of several years, and when we reflect on the mass of precious me tals, on which the fifth is not paid.

we

363

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.

Piastres.

Importation In national produce 10,412,3247 from Spain In foreign produce 4,493,736S

Importation from America

Exportation for Spain

from

for America

Vera Cruz

Total amount of the Commerce

Piastres.

14,906,060

1,619,682

18,033,371

21,457,882

3,424,511

37,983,624

Among the national productions imported at Vera Cruz from Spain, there were 48,735 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; 3108 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 163,171 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 Havanah; 1928 arrobas (value 26,068 piastres) of wax from Campeachy; 13,432 fanegas (value 461,845 piastres) of cocoa of Tabasco; 8,141 fanegas (value 2,055 piastres) of cocoa of Caracas

49,535 quintals (value 100,219 piastres) of Campeachy wood; aud 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; 189,397, 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 96,734 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 Havanah 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.

Commerce of Vera Cruz in 1805:-Importation 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 America 1,262,907 piastres, (whereof in Havanah wax alone 19,964 arrobas, or 547,304 piastres). Exportation for Spain 10,200 piastres; for America 330,546 piastres. Exportation in neutral vessels 562,048. 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 neutral ports 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.