The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-11
MEXICO.
Number and Character of the Population Of
Mexico-valuable Facts and statistics.


Number and Character of the Formulation Of
Mexico-valuable Facts and statistics.
VERA CRUZ, March 20, 1868.
propose in this communication TO consider the
number and character OF the population OF Mexico.
OF the former 1t is difficult to speak with certainty
as no census has been taken for seventy-v years.
The last was in l793 under the viceroy Revlaggedo
1t returned the population at 5e This has been
considered by sOme-and among others Baron
Humbodt-as too low, for the reason that the heads
OF families always gave smaller number than the
real one in order to avoid an increase OF their taxes
While this may be correct enough, 1t was undoubt-
eddy onset by corresponding desire OF the Spanish
tax gatherers to avoid any decrease in their coec
lions, and the number may therefore be set down as
approximately correct. However, for the reason
mentioned, Humboldt took the liberty OF increasing
the population in the year mentioned to 100000,
and computing, according to rules laid down by
European statistical writer's set it down In 1903 at
5,764,7Sl.
In the year 1870 in which the war OF independence
commenced, what is styled census was made out
by Fernando Navarro Noriega 1t was compiled
from the census Of l793 from the compilations OF
Humboldt and from the returns Of niatary command
ants in the departments, necessarily imperfect and
unreliable. According to this the population was di-
vided as folows:-Spaniards, 1928; Indians,
S,676,2Sl mixed blood 1855, 1906 monks, priests and
II, D,
In more modern times variety Of calculations and
estimates have been made, all based upon the census
Of 1923 and the rules applicable to European popula
these rules either in case applicable to Mexico
| or have been so modified by peculiar circumstances
as to be entirely useless IN arriving at any correct
conclusion. Most of these place the population at
between eight and nine millions. manual pub
lished in Paris In 1850 gives the population OF the
riOus States for 1858, the total being 600. Next
can writers In treating OF the subject invariably In
sst that the population is on the increase, and fur
| DlauSible statistics
| to demonstrate the fact. Notwithstanding all this
which may be regarded as the sum Of the evidence IN
favor of the increased population OF Mexico- think 1t
can be shown to the satisfaction OF all unpreudiced
minds that the population Of Mexico has increased
at 900 all is yielded to her to which she Is
titled Assuming that the census Of 1923 was cor
| increase and the evidences of 1t.
In that material prosperity which In nations is al
has been in her decadence since the commencement
Of the war OF independence In 1910. Her mines have
| not produced as much as before, and her manufac-
| lures have fallen considerably below. Her COM
| merce, after having undergone a number OF spas
| modic fluctuations has ceased to exist. In her agr
| cultural and pastoral pursuits the same downward
| tendency is manifested. In journey through the
country, everywhere is pointed out to the traveller
ruined haciendas in the midst Of waste of chap
paral and cactus which in 1.-THE days OF the Span
ards" overlooked broad fields teemng with the pro-
ducts of almost every Cline cultivated by hundreds
| anu thousands OF Indians now scattered and dead,
the victims of revolutions, wars and pestilence-or
abandoned ranches, where once dwelt vaqueros who
|
their charges persisted from ont OF the land.
Again, the reduction in the area of territory Is
OF much Importance in the consideration OF this
| question. The Kingdom Of New Spain, as it was
called in 1870 has been reduced to the republic OF
Mexico, with the loss OF Texas, California and the
| valley OF the Mesilla.
The country has several times suffered from severe,
pestilence, which has carried OF the poor popula-
tion-illy prepared to resist its approach-by
thousands. The cholera has three times swept over
the country with an effect peculiarly fatal to the
lower classes account of their habits and mode OF
life Other operating against the natural III
crease OF the Mexican population may be found IN
forcing people into the army, and in the expenses
| for so long a time thrown around legitimate mar
| rage by the Church, both of which have tended to
produce condition of affairs too revolving to men-
tion and to the highest extent ininca TO an increase
of population.
lowed by the expulsion OF the Spaniards, which had
material effect in decreasing the number of people
In the country But more than aught else has Mexico
suffered in her population from the wars which have
| continued almost without interruption since $50
The war OF independence was especially fatal TO the
| native population. In several localities the people
entirely destroyed while the hordes OF Indians
who c3ntenaed with the Us ignorant OF
civil wars which have followed, the war with tn
United States and the French intervention
In the northern departments the population ha
suffered greatly from the incursions OF the Conan
ches and Apaches and where once were numerous
! villages and cultivated fields Is now but a deser
waste. Nor has Mexico derived any advantage from
foreign immigration. Before the independence 10y
| the laws of the Indies emigrants from other coun
tries than Spain not allowed In the country and
many OF the Spaniards came hither to remain but
temporarily, and in the case OF the officials were
prevented from marrying here, and therefore but
niue ma was tSs S S
pendence the country has received but little addi-
tona population from immigration. Although
nomnally free republic, the intolerance of the
Clergy and the continued condition OF civil war have
prevented European emigrans from making Mexico
their home as under other circumstances they would
be likely to do in preference TO the very nhospitable
clmes further north.
that there were not more than 1900 foreigners IN
the country. OF these at least one-haf were Span
iards. The French numbered the largest after the
Spaniards, and the Germans next. The English and
| Americans did not exceed one thousand. The rela
tive numbers have materially changed and the total
| become much less since the Intervention, owing To
| causes too well known to need repetition here Con
siderng the various facts thus enumerated serious
doubts may be entertained If the republic OF Mexico
has within her limits greater population than had
New Spain in 1893, and with all possible respect fol
European statsticans making calculations on bases
Mexican writers, it is safe to conclude that
100000 will make up the full measure O
have left out OF view those-by many
thought to be-fanciful notions which see In the
native MeXcans one OF those primitive races which
In accordance with some great law, unknown save
by its effects, Is destined to extinction, and which
hnds some confirmation In considering INC immense ,
conquest now dwinded down to very shadow Of
their former greatness. As an example may be men
| toned the republic Of Saxcaa, which In 1919 sent
$4,000 warriors TO the field and III 1893 numbered
within its territorial limits $1,000 souls. Again. the
| city OF Mexico III 1919 had population OF $4,000
and I'm 1898 but 1926, or less than one-thId OF Its
| ancient number. -
Ofthe present population one half are pure Indians,
nothing advanced In material intellect or social
progress since the conquest In many places they
are in the same condition, retaining their primitive
| language and habits. They are simple noiiensive
| people humble and superstitious devoid OF enter.
prise or ambition, laborng hard In their own pccu-
liar manner for ascanty subsistence, win little or no
more idea OF the government or their relations to II
tlan the donkey which forms their only beast OF
! bSIrdieii and inseparable companion. they edd
nothing to the wealth Of the country, producing tle
or nothing above theil pes sonal wants when not
forced TO work for others, and then they fare nc
better, owing to lne system rosu. eSucv ~
large Estates The balance Of the popu
| iation consists OF the mixed blood and IN,
| few pure descendants. These call themselves The
gentes de rdson the people OF intelligence. in CONTRA
distinction TO the INDIANS, whom they look upon az