The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-02

The New T.rin Of BIsxieo-Gensr~l SAINT.
Anna and the Engilsh Free n ades
IRON ,hs London News July le
On Thursday we published the new tariff ofMexi-
co, and on the same day Sir ROderick Murchson, on
the authority of ex President Arisa, who sat at his
side, informed the British agriculturists assembled
at Gloucester, that in Mexico those who desired to
ny from free trade in England could purchase an
innity OF the best land in the world at three-half
pence an acre. On this announcement there was
much laughter" from the British Lion, forgetful of
the frequent threats he has uttered to cast of
grateful country Whence this worthessness Of land
In Mexico The soil is generally exuberant-n some
mate is both propitious and delightful; Mexico can
produce abundantly and cheaply nearly all the great
staples of life and subsistence; its situation is nearly
unr1vaed on the face of the EARTH for like another
from either ocean, the Atlantic Pacific, it is
cessible; and above all Mexico is not wanting in
population or in capital, for by the popula-
ton returns lately issued. it contains, we see,
profitable under English and distant management,
are now becoming amply remunerative in the hands
of native and home conductors.
Whence, then. this worthlessness ofland in Mexico?
Other causes there are OF course; but one great
reason is clearly in its commercial policy. Though
the tariff just issued is in some few points bet
ter and wiser than the rapid succession of tariffs
that have preceded it-Or with every new President
there seems to be a new tarif-no man can read that
document without seeing that under such system
it discloses land can never be worth much in Mex
1t is perverse far beyond the ordinary peryers
ties of protection. Nature has given Mexico every
element of agricultural greatness; there is scarcely
any production her teening soil cannot grow in super
abundance But human policy, in defiance OF nature
has resolved to make Mexico manufacturing coun
try and says Puebla shall rival Manchester And for
this purpose-to protect manufactures which have no
proper supply of mechanical power, and without
skilled labor-the new tariff still lays enormous
duties on cotton yarn and cotton goods still pro-
hbits the materials both Of life and Of the fabrics
Mexico essays to make, still jealousy excludes QOr
the smuggers benefit along its TO- 900 miles of cOast)
sugar Spirits rice coffee, wax, SALT tall0w, tobacco,
soap, lard lumber boots shoes clothing and all &C.
real grains-and blankets and coverlids. Mexico
does not, even under such system grow cotton suf-
ficient for its own protected manufactures; but,
having protected them, it next protects the growth
of cotton, by imposing duties which raise the price
at Puebla to more than double what it is at New Or
leans. 1t declares its ports open to all foreign COM
merce; but as the new tariff continues the old port
charges, what it opens with one hand it closes with
another
The consequence Of this policy s that the foreign
trade OF Mexico is declining, the imports are de-
clinng the exports are declining the customs reve
nue. is declining internal industry there is little
SO heavy and so high. In the other continent Of
America there is country in some respects less
favorably situated than Mexico, with about the
same population. scattered, however, over far
free trade system Mexico has protective policy.
Just compare Brazil-for it is of Brazil we speak
with Mexico. Brazil has had its political diff
fculties to contend against as well as Mexico.
1t has had its prOnuncidMeatoS, its revolutions,
its civil wars, its changes Of chiefs and of const
tutons but it has overcome all its dangers, has
consolidated its strength, and has now acquired
powerful position amongst nations. And why? Be-
noted foreign commerce. Under no pretenoe or
excuse has it ever protected anything; it has kept
down import duties to the lowest possible pitch; it
has equally left agriculture and trade to take Of
now, by means of their prosperity, Brazil almost
rivals the United States in the rapidity Of is mate
rial developement Trade is rapidly increasing;
the production of coffee and sugar is yearly aug
menting; its ports are crowded with foreign ships
and mercantile firms; under every vicissitude its
credit has been maintained; its finances are flourish
ing; it has large annual surplus; it has been able
to reduce the interest on its debt; and in a short
time 1t will be in position to lower its tariff. With
Brazil English trade is worth some seven or eight
millions sterling year; with Mexico it is now be-
meath one. II Spanish pride would only take les
son from Portuguese success, the fortunes Of Mexico
might perhaps yet be restored and its independence
as firmly established as that Of Brazil.
If this new tariff is specimen Of what exile and
adversely have taught Santa Anna he has not learnt
much during his expatriation We are not at all
disposed to deprecate the immense difficulties that
surround him, or to exaggerate his imputed defects
of character but, whilst we recognise in of
his measures good tendencies, he is STILL it is clear,
wrapt up in SELF He is gratifying his vindctiveness
and spite by Furnishing all who took an active part
in concluding necessary and indispensable peace
with the United States he is encouraging another
rupture with that powerful and INSCRIPTIONS neigh
bor by ndulging in boundary disputes and quarrels
with it; and, by philandering with the court of
SPAIN he is mixing Mexico up in the future troubles
that are in store for Cuba Resting for support on
a wealthy church, and on mercenary army, Santa
Anna seems to us only pursuing his old policy in this
his new career.
Suspicious are entertained that Santa Anna would
not greatly object to the authority of the Spanish
monarchy in some way or other restored in Mexico
but, though the Court Of Madrid has recently graft
fed his vanity with an order and decoraton-and
there is no saying to what absurd lengths Spanish
pride will carry its victimsthis suspicion is proba
bly, for the present at least unfounded. That Santa
Anna aims at some external combination against the
United States, is, however, almost certain; but
the likelier form it will take is thought to be
an alliance, offensive and defensive OF Mexico
and the various States of Central America, and
perhaps with Spain, to preserve their independ-
ence and that Of the Gulf of Mexico and to
prevent the annexation OF Cuba. In such scheme
there is however, more than strengths
and it will if carried out be far more likely to
precipitate than to avert the catastrophe it appre
hends. Were Mexico, under system of commercial
freedom, carrying great and prosperous trade
with England and Europe-were its financial credit
in London and Paris high, as q great trade would
soon make it-were its ports full OF British capital,
and our interest in its welfare deep and strong how
different would the position Of Mexico in the world
be. Then its independence would be great politi-
cal fact for the maintenance of which we might take
some care and trouble. But what can we do for a
country that rejects trade and with population
Of nearly 800000 only imports some ,0O0L.
worth of British goods?
FALLING OF AN ARcn--FIvE PERSONS INJURED
This morning abont 10 o'clock an arch in the new
building being erected by the Newark Maleable
Iron Company gave way, and five masons and labor
ers engaged about it were precipitated down among
the timbers and bricks. When rescued from the
rubbish it was found that no lives had been lost,