Polynesian., 1844-08-10
NEW SERIES, Vol. mo. IL.

pred. But taking as an index OF prosper
ity, the Custom houses of Vera Cruz and
Tampico, from data before me, ! find that
their net products for 1842, exceeded those
of the previous year, by Sl,lO7, 1893. And
1t is reasonable to suppose that in quarters
more exposed and addicted to contraband,
the increase may have been still greater,
for, it has always been observed that while
General Santd-.4nnc holds the helm of state
here, the whiskercd Bandit abandons his
trade of robbing on the highways, and the
smooth-taced, hypocritical Custom house en-
ployt, who with quill in hand, robs the nation
al treasury ofthe dues he has sworn faithfully
to collect, moderatcs greatly the extent of his
depredations. This is a merit which cannot
be refused to His Excellency, and it is one
of no small value. | do not think that while
the present system Of duties and prohibitions
prevails, it is possible for him-and he yields
IA power and influence never before known,
in this country-wholly to extinguish con-
lraband, but | believe under his administra-
ton, more, propor,onally, of the duties will
be collected than were ever collected before,
and cannot do his understanding the injus-
tice of supposing that he will not soon per-
ceivc and abandon the fallacious and retro
gade policy lately adopted, tending to OBJ
SSuIC lie SIOIy dlu SdCIlACC tHC CTCulI anu
general interests of his country, to the inte-
rests ola class.
1t will be seen by table (c,) before referred
to, that though for II years the gross aver
age of the maritime custom houses has been
Sc, 81 g, 996, yet that their yearly products,
comparing one year with another, have ran
ged from 50, 500, 545, to SIS, O5l 1853, and
that during the IS months from the LIST July
1887, to 31st December 1888, the whole net
revenue was only $4,258, All, the latter en-
bracing the period when the Atlantic ports
were blockaded by a French squadron.
Owing to these fluctuations, and the expe-
%rience of the facility with which, in time of
war, a naval power might deprive the nation
Of all the revenue it derives from its sea-board
Custom houses, some of the ministers of FL
nance have recommended, and l believe the
present policy of the government tends to
the establishment of, a system of direct i'm
posts or internal Custom houses, rendering
the government independent of the revenue
derived from Foreign commerce.
That there exists wealth in the country,
sufficient to bear a direct taxation equal to
the full amount of the necessary expences of
government, including the support of nation
al credit, | fully believe. But what l do not
believe is that it would be possible to collect
these taxes however equally applied. Direct
taxes are always odious, because they are
palpably felt, whereas indirect imposts on
articles of general consumption, becoming
part of the price charged, are paid without
the buyer being sensible of their amount.
While on this subject, | am naturally led
to touch upon the present population Of this
Republic. That Of each department, and of
the whole country, will be found in Table
No. 8. consider that the whole population.
at present, is rather over, than under 1888,
1874 souls. That is nothing compared to the
extent Of the country, but still it places Mex.
leo second only to the United States, on this
continent, so far as the number Of its inhabi-
tants is an indication Of power.
TO form an idea of the intrinsic value of
all the property of Mexico is not so easy,
Yet, under the head Of statement No. d. will
be found an estimate of Sc Zoo, 900 900 for
the whole value of property and industry; of
$500, 900, 900 for the value of the yearly pro-
duction of that industry, in its three ~applica-
tons to Mining, Agriculture, and Handi-
crafts; and of Sl5, 900, 600 of yearly revenue
raised by a tax of per cent on the former,
or 5 per cent on the latter.
A revenue of $l5, 900 900, so or otherwise
raised on Capital or its yearly production,
and the production of Mexican Industry,
would not prevent the accumulation of wealth.
or materially affect the comforts of an indus
%trious people, but it would meet with yery
great opposition, unless combine with the
abolition of all other imposts.
General Santa-.anna, from his energy AID
prestige, might carry such a plan into effect,
for he h~esitated not to risk his populariiy, N
imposing a direct tax on property to The ex-