The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-20
Our vera Cruz Correspondence.


VERA CRUZ, May I, 1854.
Tie Present Miserable Condition Of Merico-Erorbiant
Duties Imposed on Imports-Commereidl Affairs Gene
rally-Prices Of Producs-Erasions Of the Mexican
Government Griepances Of the american Merchdnts-
Brigandage the Increase since Santa Annas DeJa'-
tre for The Soua-PaJtic Business at Complete Stand
+ Shock Of an Earthquake.
start tomor for Mexico and Acapulco, that Is to
say, if they viii let me- some passengers time
ago not allowed to rroceed-an communication
being cut off with the South.
find the country in q dcplorable state, prices
equally so, account of the enormous expenditure,
which by possibility be gol out of this country,
at least not under the present rule
II is true Santa Anna n&s done great many praise
worthy things but his great blunder increase the
army to such extent destroying at time his
principal resources-which the import dutes-not
only by establishing high tariff but by appointing Off.
GERS principally in this port, whose rapacty is so I'M
bounded that they not only plumber commerce right
and left hut even tie general government On asking
the merchants why they did not complain and seek re-
dress, the general answer that it These
people had, most unfortunately the Presidents conf
dence, and 1t was next to impossible 10 see him.
The obvious consequence of this is that merchants
dsgusted and do not choose to order any goods
Besides this the Importation duties are earfuy high
say 52lS per cent import duties; and these have
to be paid again in the places where the goods
consumed after taking them out of any of the custom
houses Of the INTERIOR this Of course puts com plce
stop to trade, whilst the ports the Pacific are -four
ishing
II is certainly pity TO all these plumbers and for
instance whilst our government tries 10 abolish the ns
Port duties Mexican produce here, they have laid an
export duty on many articles of export.
good business could be done in tobacco but this ar
will be.a andE odE What
the expectation may be permitted. very good
quality which might be bought at 81 Cor 25 lbs which
am sure would not leave loss At New YORK.
The mahogany which grows here in abundance is not
very fine, but 1t is good and cheap, but difficulties
have also occurred respecting its expectation from Goa
tazccoacos
Hides very abundant here and ere worth from,
lar. TO lr piece, enormous price as am told they
were only worth lor year ago They pay export duty,
however.
Goat skins are plenty, and all exported to New
York The price Is sr nair.
1ogwood Is exported from Laguna and Tahasco only,
and good business aso appears to be doing in fustic,
which trade is in the hands OF the Tampco merchants
and no losses viii Re suffered on stoohs in Enssnd on
accoun. % their stock being very small
Vanilla is great article Of this country but IT
mains 30 lie whether the high pr paid can
be realized On account Of the crop being parts
destroyed for some years to come the price has
high as TO stand IN ready packed, SIS per b., taking
the good and bad at an average, and could not buy
few bundles wanted at this price. The crop is little
more than half OF that of last year.
| had some trouble with my American coin which Is
prohibited here silver coin suffering discount OF four
per cent but exporting Ii you have pay neyerthe.
less the export duty of six per cent.
Another curious fact is that he bankers hayr. got
hold Of the business and they may be able sell
TO the merchants their bills for this amount they re
quest increase Of from two 20 -four per all the
money which comes down from the interior SC t, with
freight &c, you viii pay the money collected ia
Mexico about twelve per cent before you get il on
/ board.
Tor this law a considerable tare ought to be allowed
all calculations are made The base of two per cent?
hut this consideration probably viii not place the
want Of money being so great, that mcr ehants have
10 pay for the treaty being carried INTO eject besides
being compelled to look TO the Mexican government for
the recovery Of such which more or less all Of
them have been plundered of And American citizens
are in the worst FIX they certainly will be paid
II the Mexican government Is to be the paymaster.
This very serious matter ought 10 call at the at
tenton OF orr government il would not be just at all
70 throw their most just claims overheard because
Gardner and Others may have been guilty Of abuse Let
! utu ~ submitted to board at once, and certainly
ilc. WHO have right to claim viii bring forward such
proafs Will carry With them the conviction of their
justice 10 an impartial judges
Large quantities Of goods have been seized on such
paltrT srour would certainly astonish the United
states government and en- equal silly pleas fines have
teen cxactad, sometimes 70 higher amount than the
value Of the goods SO much that merchants have
suIed that IL they could only obtain fair Of
sano Annawhich j. hnpossible-he would restore the
plumber Immediately
DO not conside that there Il much lower tariff In
the pors Of the Pacific than at Vera Cruz and Tampco
eua 10 ea.s aa.eI n@tiVnsi AID YOU wu
| lave ar iaes bow trade must be here.
SAas AaEa Id slsa.e5 tas roads Of robbers pretty