Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-12-17

ing open for imports into the INTERIOR and to
the rich and populous portion OF the country
Including the mining region, a very small rev.
enue ,r0uld be derived from this source, as
shown bv past experience-probably not eX-
ceeding ST 900, 900 per annum. If, however,
the ports at present occupied by our forces be
retained, and all the rest seized or blockaded,
so as to prevent the carrying of imports into
the interior, through any other ports than
those held by our forces; if the roads were
then opened into the interior, through the city
of Mexico and the mining region, and the
route of commerce across the isthmus rendered
secure, it is my conviction that the revenue
from all these sources above specified ought
not TO be less, so far as the duties on exports
and imports are concerned, than has hereto
fore been collected by the government OF Mex
leo.
| have not been able TO obtain any reliable
statement of the amount OF duties reailZeu IN
Mexico upon exports; if, however, 1t were
fairly collected upon all the exports of specie
from Mexico. it would probably not amount
70 less than ST ,0OG, 900 per annum. 1t is not
known. however, that so large sum as real
izpd from this duty was ever recorded IN the
custom-house returns of Mexico. Under these
circumstances, it is extremely difficult to est-
mate the amount of duties which could be de-
rived from this source, but they ought not to
fall below $780, per annum. The receipts
from duty on imports collected by Mexico
have varied from six TO twelve millions Of dol
lars per annum; and think it ought not to be
less with the ports and interior and the roads
in our possession, and rendered secure for ex-
ports and imports.
There are many reasons why it ought TO be
greater.
The present duties are framed so as to yield
the largest revenue whereas the Mexican tar.
if was in the highest degree protective anC
prohbitory; the duties, even when the good:
were admitted, being generally adverse TO re
venue. There were also sixty articles, the
importation of which was prohibited altogeth
er; among which were sugar, rice, cotton, boot
and half boots; coffee, nails of all kinds, leath
er of most kinds, flour, cotton yarn, and thread
soap of all kinds, common earthenware, lard
molasses, timber Of all kinds, saddles of al
kinds, cotton goods or textures, chiefly sucE
as are made in the United States; pork, fresl
or sailed, smoked or cured; woolen or cottol
| blankets, or counterpanes; shoes and slippers
wheat, and grain of all kinds. The admission
of the prohibited goods at reasonable rates
the change of the protective into revenue du
ties, and the abolition of the heavy transl
charges, must of course increase imports AM
revenue, and greatly enlarge our trade witt
Mexico, bringing back specie in return for gu
goods imported there. No nation, in proper
ton to its wealth, can afford 10 import NOR
l than Mexico; because her great staple export
being specie, is sought by all nations in ex
change for their goods imported there. I'm
der our brave officers the money will not b
lost, as it was to great extent by speculation
under the Mexican government, and the low
err duties will to great extent prevent snug
Cling The duties also being collected on tn
goods imported from one Mexican port int
another, will be an addition to the amount ex
acted by the Mexican government.
On the whole, cannot believe that, unde
the circumstances and condition of things a
bove suggested as the most favorable TO aug
ment these contributions, that the duties o.
imports, with all the ports, the roads, and in
terror in our military possession, would be les
than it was under the government of Mexico
especially under the guaranty already Civ
en-, that in any treaty of peace it will, as an
nounced, be provided that the goods imported
should neither be coniscated nor sub jected Il
any new duty by Mexico.
The internal revenue collected by the Mex
lean government, as well as departments, wa
about 81 3 ,OOO,O 900 per annum.
do not believe, however, that any yer
large portion of this revenue could be collec
ted under our military SYSTEM and have n
sufficient data upon which 10 base any relia
Bile estimate as to these sources of revenue.
Under these circumstances, It is impoSsibl
to name any precise sum as that which pre-
badly would be derived from military contr
buttons in Mexico. The more complete
however, the possession of the country b
our troops, the larger would be the revenue
Thus much | have thought it incumbent O
me TO say and without being able to fix an
precise sum, it is my conviction that the rev
enues that may be derived from these varior
; sources in Mexico would be very considerabl
and augmenting from time to time. In view
2 however, of the uncertainty of the amount
these contributions at present. and the della
in carrying them into effect, if the measure
3 proposed for augmenting the revenues by dl
= ties upon tea and coffee, the reduction of Il
price of the public lands, and the extension
the preemptlon privilege, should not be ado
= ted by Congress, | recommend that authors
: be granted to negotiate loan for the sum
: SIS, $780, 900, upon the terms authorized t
Y the act of 2Sth January last. Should the w;
n be continued until the 1st July, 1910, an a.
: ditional loan, amounting to $40 900, 900, Won
e be necessary if no additional revenues be graz
S ted by Congress, and no contributions we
e levived in Mexico. AS it is believed, howe
:, er, that n considerable sum must be deriv,
: from these contributions, no further loan b
d yond the amount Of SIS, 500, 900 is asked at tn
n period and it is believed that this sum is {
: that will be required, in all probability, UNI
!, the meeting OF Congress in December, 1874
: 1t is possible, however, that further loan f
f a sum not exceeding Sc, 100000 may be r
i quired before that time. Should this be Il
r case, there will be ample time to communca
! the information to Congress, and ask furth
: provision for that amount.
A duty of twenty-five per cent. ad valore
> on tea and coffee is again respectfully recor
mended. By reference to tables RI 1 and R
,, it appears that the aggregate value of o.
: imports of tea and coffee is progressing, Al
that the impost suggested would probab
; yield an annual revenue of S3,OOO.OOO, red
cling the loan, aiding the credit and finances
) the government, and, with our other resou
IL ces, securing prompt payment to our gala
: army and navy, who are vindicating the right
J, sustaining the honor, and elevating the cha
acter of our country. The experience of Ia
e year proves that no additional revenue,
> none exceeding few thousand dollars, cou
be obtained from any augmentation of duti
II upon the dutable imports. No such augme
: tation is recommended; and scarcely any re