Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-05-06

oanta G. IL noWs from the pen oil an
intelligent gentleman, now in the pro.
vince OF New Mexico, whose situation
and responsibility entite the eommunica-
lion to great credit, and will, no dou BIT,
will be found interesting sns acc,, table
10 our readers. a'N
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO,
7h February, 1926.
DEAR SIR: feel myself entirely in
adequate to crafty what presume to be
the reasonable curiosity of my friends,
in respect of this country and people,
their resources, &c. sc. There are ma
nv others here, and who have been here,
much better qualified than am to per-
form this task. Perhaps though, may
be able, before l leave the country, to
acqui, myself ,olerabIy well in this PAR
ticulsr. In short lime | mean to set
out upon journey 10 Biscay and Sonora,
and where else | know not yet. am
particularly anxious TO visit some of he
ports and towns on the Gulf of California,
and TO ascertain the truth Of report that
is current here, that British and other
merchants are beginning to introduce
merchandise into this country by way OF
the Gulf of California, where it is said
they can be landed as cheap as in Phia,
delphIa, and then brought here on mu les,
at less expense than goods can be
brought from Missouri. Indeed, ifthis
be true, British merchants can and will,
undoubtedly, command nearly all The
trade here, inasmuch as they will only
| have TO pay duties in Mexico-at least.
they will have the advantage of our mer-
chants in all articles of British manufac-
ture. Il happens, however, that many
of the articles most in demand here are
extensively manufactured in the United
States, from materials OF our own growth;
as Tor instance, coarse and fac cotton
stuiis, oil various descriptions, printed,
oolored, and white. Coarse wolleD
stufls might be brought here to advan-
tage, also, il they were not prohibited.
| suppose, the. full half of the goods
sold here for much profit, coDsis, of cot
ton goods manufactured 10 The United
States, and of this, The far greater portion
is white and brown shirlings and sheet
ings, such as usually cost from Q to IS
cents yard, in our cities on the Atlantic
| Of this article there is very great con-
sumption in this territory, and the state
| next below, which, | have no doubt, will
continue greatly 10 increase. Bot il hap
pens nnnckily, that this very article is
SO excessively taxed by the Mexican 60
lvernmcnt, as almost 10 effect It's exclc-
sion; for instance ell the white s.ufls
are subject to q duty of about | | cen,s
yard, (not square yard,) SO tina, all the
coarsest kinds pay duty very nearly
equal to the original cost a, our factories.
Our manufacturers are nota liltle con-
cerned in this matter; and should sup.
posei it not unworthy some interference
on the part of our government. The go
vernon OF this territory has, understand,
represented the subiec, to his govern.
ment; and he is, know, entirely favora-
| Die to reduction of the duties, and to
The abishment of much more Iber-
| al Intercourse, generally with our ci,i-
zens. have no idea, that the Mexican
government ever intended TO exclude
our manufactures, by taxing them thus
high; it has been done 10 raise revenue.
! presume, and | have DO doubt the duty
will be reduced to more just rate, as
sosn as the national affairs are better
settled. Alter all, i. may be said, that
his is only a tax upon the citizens o!
the country, who are the consumers OF
the goods in question. But II. is IN
doubleday true, that much, very much
more would be consumed, il he duty
was much less than it is, and whaleve,
might be the effects as regards our mer-
chants, the manufacturers would surely
prof, by such reduction. If it suited
the policy OF this goyernmen, to take off
the restriction that now exists on coarse
woollen goods, another impsr,ant bench,
would then be felt by cur manufacturers ;
but candidly confess tina, can perceive
good reasons why this would be itnpo!i.
i tic.
These people are wonderfully i'm
proved, am told, within The last three
years, as we'll in their manners, dress,
SC. as in their political advancement.
Liberalprinciples are fast gaining ground,
and taking deep root; aud in proportion
as these increase, the bigotry and tyran-
ny of the church are weakened. am
assured, that some Of the most Yea lous
friends OF the liberties OF the people. are
among the priests.-Yours truly.
| Capt. Symmes 1Aeory.--Last week