Polynesian., 1844-08-24

what may be called protective.
Furthermore, it has been alleged, and in
some quarters believed, that the owners
of native manufactures have largely i'm
ported from abroad, goods of the class they
make, under their own mark or brand
| know of one instance where this accusa-
ton has been made, as | believe, without
any other foundation than the superior
quality and quantity of the goods made,
owing to superior management; but that
such a thing may be done, and that either
high diferential duties, or total prohibitions,
are likely to produce it, is selfevident.
All over the country you find in the shops,
scissors, razors and knives, bearing Shelf
field marks and names, though evidently
OF German make, and not unfrequentIy fixed
on German cards.
In short, the line of coast by which pro-
hibited goods may be introduced, is so en-
tended,-the inducement to do so is so
great means to corrupt those who
meet the goods SO ample, and their corrupt
blllty so great,-as proved by all past expe-
%rience, that | cannot help looking upon the
whole system of prohibitions, however well
intended by the Government, as one tending
to defeat its prolessed object, by keeping
"''~ ~" ii'ui ISlIlS tic IIlOilSlCT evil OIL con-
traband, without in any way beneftting ma
tlonal industry; and in support of this
opinion, l could quote more Mexican au-
thorities.
PROBABLE FUTURE FINANCIAL CONDITION
OF MEXIco.-U pom this subject, | think the
Importance Of a strong, stable and enlighten-
ca government cannot be over-rated; nor
with that view is it possible to estimate too
highly the importance of the almost unani-
nous election to the next constitutional
Presidency, which has taken place, in the
person of His Excellency Don .antonio
Lopez de Santa .4nna. My previous chap
ters make frequent illusions to the reforms
he has made, and others of which he has
laid the foundation, and though what he may
achieve is not to be Judged of, without due
consideration for the great difficulties with
which he IS beset, scarcely known in any
other country, and to which | nave family
alluded IN my notes to tables A and B, |
think great and beneficial changes may be
expected dnriug the four years of his Presi-
dency, if assisted by good and able ministers,
and if the new Chambers do not disappoint
the hopes from their improved Constitution,
to which | have already referred.
Like all men of his eminence, he has his
friends and his foes, and some of the latter
are very bitter ones, but | nave as yet found
no one who could point out any other capa-
BILE of supplying his place, without great det-
riment to the peace and other vital interests
of this Republic. This superiority which
he maintains in a revolutionary country,
Astounding in rival chiefs and aspirants to
power, is in itself a proof that he possesses
Ol1IltIpG for command not noeco,,ol h.,
others.
He has been represented as the tyrant
and oppressor of his country, yet for nearly
two years he has governed this republic,
without shedding the blood of any political
rival, without any one act of cruelty, and
with a forbearance aud moderation rarely
found among those who have ruled with SINH
lar powers, in similar circumstances
He has also been accused of ambition in
aspiring to render his power absolute and
permanent. Had it been so, he had a devo-
ted army, at his command, and the road was
clear to absolutism. He has preferred re-
publican institutions, and | hope the conduct
of the Chambers about to assemble, will
prove that he was right in that preference.
The news has just arrived 9TH December)
that the Yucatans have agreed to submit to
Mexico, on the liberal terms offered by the
government, and the same is only wanting
on the part of Texas to enable Santa .4nna
to make those reductions in the standing
force ofthc army, Indispensable to the fnan-
ces and credit ofthe country.
have before stated at page 10 that Don
.Antonio Garay calculated that SIC, 900, 900,
yearly, would amply suffice for all the ex--
pences OF the nation, were the army reduced
to a proper peace establishment.
But now add from tho Sc n,emo,-;oO nc