The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-11
AbOuG Mexico.

POPULATION, PRODUCTS, CLIMATE, &C.
AT the present time, when there is so
,nuch excitement and enthusiasm in this
country in regard to Mexico, any re-
iiable information and statement OF
actual facts cannot be Otherwise than
desirable.
The population OF Mexico is about 90OO'-
600. three fTths Of whom are Indians. Ihe
CITY of Mexico is estimated to be the nome
Of about 225,00 persons. The mortality,
oomniled from statistics extending over
period OF ten years, Is very evenly olstrlOu-
led throughout the four seasons, ayersg-
ing about per cent. OF the pOru-
lation per annum, or about 9,OOO
deaths from all cluses. The aver
age duration OF life IS 26.4 years. The
most frequent and fatal diseases are pneu-
monIa aud darrbel, which carry on fully
one half Of those who die; next come pull
monary consumption and typhus and inter
mittent fevers. About 5000 died from
smallpox from the year 1869 to 1872. In
the wear 1870 there averaged one deaIh per
day from bronchitis, and the same from
wbooping-cough.
April is the warmest month, the tempera-
ture rising to 900 Fahrenheit, the minimum
Temperature showing 43o. December is the
coolest month. ranging from 800 to maxi
mum Of 72o. The general yearly average
is 6lo.
The total annual imports into Mexico,
reduced TO the standard OF American gold,
amount In gross TO Sl6,640000. There is,
however. considerable eOntrSbsnd trade
carried on all along the American frontier,
partjcularly across the Rio Grande. The
value OF goods struggled into Mexico,
has been computed at about $1,000
600 per annum, and there is proba-
bIy million and half Of Mexi-
can silver dollars struggled out OF
the country each year. Travellers le1v-
ing The country are not permitted TO take
with them over $1,000 in Mexican silver.
Any so unlucky as to have over this amount
will have the whole cOnfscated, and there
10 no remedy. The law permits its
seizure, and the Mexicans are not
slow TO act, taking IL by force.
The average exports from Mexico for
a number of years has not reached
$4,000, 900, and this is mostly in eagle dol
lars. Quite trade Is springng up all
along the coast OF Yucatan in Sisal hemp.
The principal port, or rather open road
stead, where this is taken Is PrOgres0.
The plant is called henequen. The
hemp costs there from o. 10 90 cents
per pound. IL Is OF the same family
as the puIQue plant before mentioned.
There is stlIl another plant Of the same spe-
ces called piia, yielding a stronger and
better class OF fibre than the henequen.
This trade will increase the exports, but
generally speaking nothing is now exported
from Mexico except silver. American
drafts last February were worth apremium
OF 20 per cent. in the City Of Mexico. Mex
lean dollars at Havana exchange for Ameri-
can gold at 9Oc., while in New York they
are worth but about Sjc.
There is a great amount OF romance about
Mexico. The reports as to the great wealth
OF that country are greatly exaggerated.
The amount of work laid out by the United
States to be executed in Mexico, In the mat
ter OF railroads, amounts to over 800, 000,-
600. II will be curious 10 observe who will
make and lose In this speculation.
lNGENIER0.