The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-19

Cnled STATES.
This is my third letter Of to-day. It's, you will
notice, chiefly suggestions in relation to the fsca
and commercial policy Of Mexico; and though you
informed me you preferred should in my CORES
pondence give ''news" and "facts," rather than
essays and speculations, | venture to depart from
your Constructions" in this instance. You will find
facts mixed up with arguments in this.
Congress is yet in session, but it adjourns on the
3lst Of this month, until the LIST Of October next.
believe that elections are held in the interim,
and that the same members compose the Congress
at next session, but am not certain. will ascer-
tain, and advise you in future letter; and also of
the features Of the new elections, if any.
President Arista has been engaged in an inves-
tgaton Of the difficult and perplexing question of
the protective tariff" AS in the United States
so in Mexico the manufacturers of cotton fabrics,
and other articles, insist that it is the udcious
policy, and the duty of the government to protect
them from foreign competition, by imposing protec-
tive or prohibitory import duties on fabrics of for
eign manufacture. The chief cotton factories here
are at Peubla, at Orizaba, at Queretaro, and at
Guadalajara 1t is estimated there are from ten to
fifteen millions of capital invested in manufactures,
in the republic of Mexico. Most of the owners are
Mexicans, bat there some Englishmen and
other foreigners concerned in them. Sufficient
cotton is not, at this time, raised in the republic to
supply them fully, and it sells very high, generally
for . cents per b., and upwards. The deficiency
is chiefly brought from New Orleans, under special
permits from the government, the duty on which
Is about A. cents per pound Mexico could, by the
exertion of great enterprise, industry, and care,
raise enough cotton for her consumption; and
had they slave labor they could compete with our
Southern States in some cotton markets. The
States on the Pacific coast, owing to their CONT
guilty to the Western coast of South America and
the Pacific islands, and the East India and Chinese
markets being nearer to them, might dispose of
their raw cotton there to profit. But Mexico can
not expect to sustain her cotton manufactures ut
home by any mere mpost regulations till she grows
enough of the material to supply them.
For upwards of ten years past, in order to encour
age and protect their manufactures, the importa .
tion of the finer cotton fabrics has been virtually
prohibited by the imposition Of a duty of l3a cents
per square yard; and the coarser kinds are prohi-
bted in terms and absolutely The Mexican fabrics
are chiefly of the coarses kinds of cotton and the
protection chiefly affects the trade Of the United
States and England.
1t is well ascertained that is impossible to pre-
vent the English and American coarse cottons from
being struggled into this country: The extensive
and exposed sea coast of the republc the Pacific,
and in the Gulf, and the sparse population, (rather
awless, too, in their propenties) the frontier of
two thousand miles between the United safes and
Mexico, the pc: ular adaptation of the country for
facilities to illicit trade the necessities of the peo
pie for such foreign fabrics and the unconquerable
disregard of English and American traders Of all
foreign impost laws, have caused smuggling to be
carried on to an enormous extent. The Engiisha are
the chief smuggers on the sea and gulf coasts. 1t
is supposed threefourthS Of the coarse cotton goods
consumedn this country, are thus introduced. Con-
sequenty, the argument in favor Of the prohibition,
that il was a just and necessary measure Of pro-
lection to the Mexican manufactures, Of no force,
and the government loses the revenue, which 1t
would receive from q moderate and reasonable duty
only being levied. Besides, the practice Of snug
nla
thing else that be Struggled, and all ia r trade
j. thus nterfered with and ruined. The honest and
law abiding merchant, who respects and obeys the
laws, and pays the duties, cannot compete success
fully with the smuggler or those who vend his
smuggled goods for him.
But, like our .'cotton jennies' of "I.owclp' and
Fall River in the United States, the manufac-
turcrs of Puebla &c. in this country do not, and
will not understand bow their true interests can be
consistent with those of the whole republic, which
demand the removal Of the prohibitions have men
toned, and Others OF similar character. 1t is no.
torous that the manufactured cotton fabrics OF
puebla and other places in this republic not
good as those of the United States or OF England.
The apparel made from the coarse cotton fabrics Of
Mexico will not last the poor man more than
month or six weeks, while the imported article will
wear several months.
The depression Of the manufactures, and the ir-
Irregularities and uncertainties in all commerce here,
caused by the prohibitions alluded To, and the con-
sequent utter disregard of tho mpost laws, have
casioned great discomfort throughout the republic.
The abolition of the prohibitory duties, ii alleged
by those who oppose it, is unjust, as their capital
inyestedin the manufactures was so invested under
the implied pledge of protection. II is said it will
encourage the manufactures Of England and Ut the
United states, instead of "Mexican industry"
and this is quite a captivating argument with
those who look only to the surface of things
Ii IL precisely the talk of our proicctonistS, who
would sacrifice commerce, agriculture and every
thing else 10 their own selfish interests. Mexico
may wisely encourage the raising Of cotton by levy
ing moderate duty ON the importation OF raw cot
ton, and il would to promote the interests of
those McNicsns disposed to grow it, while it would
not be detrimental to the Southern states of our
country, insomuch a without slave labor Mexico
cannot rival them in the European market but ifit
was different should have no ground Of
plant. Raw cotton is an article not easily snug
glcd without detection. But the wiscst policy of
Mexico AZ to most manufactured articles il the free
trade policy, or moderate nd rnorcm duties. She
cannot, for half century to come, compete With
England, with the | nited states, France and other
old countries in but very few manufacture, and
especially nthe manufacture Of cotton and woollcn
goods, that require intelligent and cheap labor,
mechanical aud artistcal skill and experience,
which cannot be acquired for a long time.
The exports of Nc xico are gold, silver cochineal,
dyewoods and stuff, indigo, hides. vanilla, and
to these might be added, il her people would exert
themselves tobacco, scgars, sugar, nearly all the
tropical fruits, and even rice and wheat and Indian
corn, and, il attention paid to the cultivation
Of the grape, she could, IN few years, make
enough wines for her own consumption, and even
some for expectation Blessed with luxuriant
soil and genial climate, Mexico has no superior
and few equals on the face of the earth an agri-
cultural country. She never can be great manu-
featuring or navigating nation. Her wealth is in
her SOIL its minerals, and its products and in the
profitable dispos ton Of them 10 other nations.
have been thus difusc on this subject, a. it il
the sll-important question now pending here. Since
Congress has been in session. the manufacturers
deputcd to attend il Ncssrs. Muiics. Furlong &
Perez, three worthy and intelligent gentlemen Of
peubla. and indeed leading citizens Of the repub-
lie, Of high character and great wealth These gem
temcn have protested against the abolition of tho
Irohibitory duties. Their remonstfances have %.
weight and exceedingly cmRbargass tne liberal
party The -esa,g afr not prepared fully to un-
dertake the task of reform boldly and vigorously,
but they will be III the next session.
II has been suggested that law giving liberal
"bountios ont Of the public treasuryto the growers
of cotton, and 10 the manufacturers, may compen
sate them for their sacrifices for tho general gooi