INCOME OF NEW SPAIN 1809--EXPENSES OF NEW SPAIN 1809.--MINERAL
PRODUCTIONS--MILITARY
FORCE--AGRICULTURE--MANUFACTURES.--COMMERCE--EXPORTS--IMPORTS.--PRESENT
COMMERCE--IMPORTS--EXPORTS.--NINETEEN YEARS TRADE BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.--CHARACTER OF IMPORTS--CHARACTER OF
EXPORTS--SILVER EXPORTED.--FAIRS IN MEXICO.--THE FUTURE PROSPECTS
AND POSITION OF MEXICO--NOT A COMMERCIAL COUNTRY.--RAILWAY FROM
VERA CRUZ TO THE CITY OF MEXICO.
FINANCIAL AND PRODUCTIVE CONDITION OF MEXICO OR NEW SPAIN BEFORE HER
REVOLUTION, AND AT THE PRESENT DAY.
In order to exhibit a connected and comparative view of the financial
and commercial condition of Mexico, we have assembled in this section a
number of tables which exhibit, at a glance, the state of New Spain in
relation to her mines, agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and the
income and expenses of the viceroyalty in 1809.
TABULAR STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE INCOME AND EXPENSES OF THE
VICEROYALTY OF MEXICO IN 1809, ANTECEDENT TO THE REVOLUTION--ITS
MINES, AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE.
1st. INCOME.
Branches of income. Clear product in dollars.
Duties on assay, $72,506
" on gold and bullion, 24,908
" on silver, 2,086,565
" on vajilla, 25,716
Coining of gold and silver, 1,628,259
Tributes, 1,159,951
Taxes, (alcabalas) 2,644,618
Pulque, (a national beverage made of aloe,) 750,462
Powder, 370,829
Lotteries, 109,002
Novenos, 192,333
Saleable and remisable offices, 27,106
Stamped paper, 64,900
Medias anatas, 37,338
Chancery, 1,035
Cock fights, 33,322
Liquor shops, 22,883
Ice, 31,814
Salt works and duties on salt, 132,982
Licenses for ballast in Vera Cruz, 29
Bakeries, liquor shops in do. 11,989
Fortifications, 8,003
Donations, 1,480
do. for war purposes, 646,459
Caldos, 36,181
Dyes and vainilla, 45,740
Almojarifazgos, 275,894
Aprovechamientos, 57,967
Small incomes, 76,151
Balances of accounts, 24,989
Bulls of Santa Cruzada, (Roman Catholic,) 271,828
Ecclesiastical tithes, 30,320
do. subsidies, 4,686
Medias anatas y mesadas id, 50,540
Vacantes mayores y menores, 112,733
Spanish quicksilver, 474,722
German " 42,583
Freight of quicksilver, 2,757
Cards, 148,861
Tobacco, 3,927,822
4 per cent. of salary of employés, 25,632
-----------
Gross income, $15,693,895
From this should be deducted for salaries and}
expenses of administration, $596,260} 1,244,199
For donations received this year, but which }
should not be counted as income, $647,939}
-----------
Net income, $14,449,696
===========
2d. EXPENSES IN THE YEAR 1809.
Expenses of fortification, $800,000
Pay of army, veteran troops, arsenal of San Blas,}
powder factories and other expenses, } $3,000,000
Pay of Oidores, and other persons employed in judicial}
functions and measures for the conversion of } 250,000
the Indians, }
Pensions, 200,000
Hospital expenses, repairs of factories, 400,800
Return of imposts, 1,496,000
----------
$6,146,800
Amount of Income, $14,449,696
" " Expenses, 6,146,800
-----------
Balance, $8,302,896
This was then the clear income of Mexico in the year 1809. The same
amount may be considered as the usual yearly revenue from the close of
the eighteenth century, and if we deduct a half of this sum as being
afterwards expended on this side of the Atlantic, it may be calculated
that about four millions of dollars were transmitted to Spain annually.
3d. MINERAL PRODUCTIONS.
In order to judge what regions of New Spain were most productive in
mineral wealth and their relative productiveness, we will insert the
value of the royal dues upon silver, amounting in all to the rate of
10-1/2 _per cent._ in 1795, in which year $24,593,481 were coined in
gold and silver at the Mexican mint.
San Luis Potosi, 96,000 }
Zacatecas, 69,000 }
Guanajuato, 67,000 }
Rosario, 45,000 } Marks of silver,--which
Bolaños, 41,000 } may be estimated
Mexico, 36,000 } at eight dollars
Guadalajara, 19,000 } and a quarter
Durango, 33,000 } per mark.
Zimapan, 10,000 }
Sombrerete, 7,000 }
Chihuahua, 7,000 }
All the mines in the Spanish possessions consumed annually 30,000
quintals of quicksilver, which, at the rate of $50, (at which they might
be calculated, on an average of years,) amounts to a million and a half.
When fifteen millions were annually coined the king received 6 per ct.
upon that sum; and when the amount exceeded 18 millions, scarcely 7.
This difference was owing to the rules and system of the mint, in which
there were the same expenses in coining from twenty to twenty-four
millions that were incurred in coining fifteen millions. In 1809
$26,172,982 were issued, in gold and silver, from the Mexican mint, and
this, with the exception of 1804 and 1805, is the largest amount of
coinage either under the Viceroyal or Republican government.
4th. MILITARY FORCE BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.
Veteran troops, 7,083
Garrison troops and viceroyal guards, 595
Garrison troops and guards. Internal provinces, 3,099
Provincial militia, 18,884
------
29,661
The maintenance of these cost annually, $1,800,000
The fort of St. Carlos at Peroté absorbed, 200,000
Costs of fortifications and casual expenses, 2,000,000
----------
$4,000,000
5th. AGRICULTURE.
This branch of industry produced a sum equal to the mines; that is to
say--from twenty-two to twenty-four millions. The following calculation
is founded upon the basis of the _diezmos_ or tithes of the several
bishoprics, which may be regarded as the best territorial measure.
Bishoprics. Product of Agriculture in 1790. Diezmos.
Mexico, $8,500,000 850,000
Puebla, 4,400,000 440,000
Valladolid, 4,000,000 400,000
Oajaca, 1,000,000 100,000
Guadalajara, 3,400,000 340,000
Durango, 1,200,000 120,000
----------- ---------
In 6 Bishoprics, $22,500,000 2,250,000
6th. MANUFACTURES.
The cotton and woollen factories, of the most important and extensive
character, were those of Puebla and of Queretaro. In the latter place,
in twenty factories, and 300 small establishments, 46,000 arrobas of
wool were consumed, out of which 6,000 pieces of cloth, or, 226,000
varas (yards);--280 pieces of _jerguetilla_ or 39,000 yards
(varas);--200 pieces of baize, or, 15,000 varas; 161 pieces of baizes
and coarse woollens, or, 18,000 varas; the value of all which
manufactures exceeded $600,000. In Queretaro there were moreover
consumed 200,000 lbs. of cotton in the manufacture of cotton stuffs and
rebosos, or shawls usually worn by the women throughout Mexico. The
factories in the Intendency of Puebla, comprehended in that city,
Cholula, Tlascala and Guejocingo, produced fabrics, in peaceful times,
to the value of a million and a half of dollars. Besides these there
were other factories in various parts of the country.
7th. COMMERCE.
The imports through Vera Cruz, before the war, averaging
one year with another, exceeded, $19,000,000
The exports, inclusive of silver, 21,000,000
-----------
Difference in favor of exports, 2,000,000
-----------
Total of mercantile exchanges, 40,000,000
===========
The above exportations may be divided into--
Silver, $14,000,000
Agricultural products, 7,000,000
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPORTS.
Weight in arrobas. Value in dollars
Cochineal, 24,500 $1,715,000
Sugar, 500,000 1,500,000
Vainilla, 60,000
Indigo, 60,000 2,700,000
Sarsaparilla, 20,000 90,000
Pepper from Tabasco, 24,000 40,000
Flour, 500,000
Tanned leather, 80,000
Sundries, 315,000
--------
$7,000,000
Add export of precious metals, 14,000,000
----------
$21,000,000
===========
CLASSIFICATION OF IMPORTS.
Wine, 25 to 30,000 barrels $1,000,000
Paper, 125,000 reams, 375,000
Cinnamon, 100,000 lbs. 400,000
Brandy, 32,000 barrels, 1,000,000
Saffron, 17,000 lbs. 350,000
Iron, 50,000 quintals, 600,000
Steel, 6,000 " 110,000
Wax, 26,000 arrobas, 500,000
Cacao, 20,000 fanegas, 1,100,000
Clothing, hardware and other manufactures, 14,000,000
-----------
$19,335,000
===========
From a statement published by the Consulado of Vera Cruz it appears that
the IMPORTATION FROM SPAIN in 1802 was as follows:--
In national vessels, $11,539,219 }
} $19,600,000
In foreign " 8,060,781 }
EXPORTATION in the same year, 33,866,219
-----------
Difference in favor of exports, $14,266,219
-----------
Commerce of the metropolis, $53,466,219
-----------
Importation from America, $1,607,792
Exportation for " 4,581,148
-----------
General importation $21,207,792
General exportation, 38,447,367
-----------
Total trade of Vera Cruz in 1802, $59,655,159[24]
===========
From this view of the anti-revolutionary condition of Mexican commerce
and financial interests, we pass properly to the examination of the same
affairs at the present day. In order to judge this subject fairly,
however, we have adopted the commercial standard of the year preceding
the war with the United States. During and since that period, the
commercial results of the country must naturally have been so greatly
disturbed as to afford altogether inadequate tests.
COMMERCE AT THE PRESENT DAY.
Imports and exports of the Mexican republic for the year ending on the
1st of January, 1845, calculated on the duties collected at the maritime
and frontier custom houses.
1st. IMPORTS.
Capital or value of
imported articles to
which these duties
Duties according to tariff. Duties collected. correspond.
At 40 per ct., there were collected, $ 200..45 $ 501..12
" 30 " " " 5,999,282..87 19,997,609..56
" 30 " provisions, 14,592..98 48,643..26
" 30 " timber, 3,539..49 11.774..96
" 25 " 152,916..18 611,664..72
" 12-1/2 " 6,190..11 49,520..83
" 6 " jewelry, 1,171..22 19,520..33
30 " advanced to the treasury
for permission to import 20,000
quintals of cotton, 120,000..00 400,000..00
-------------- ---------------
$6,297,886..30 $21,139,234..83
============== ===============
2d. EXPORTS.
Value of exports to
Export which these duties
Duties according to tariff. duties collected. correspond.
At 6 per cent., on export of gold and
silver coin, $524,349..63-1/2 $8,739,160..58
" 3-1/2 " on silver coin, 2..08 59..42
" 5 " on uncoined silver, 22,949..23 458,984..45
" 7 " in Vera Cruz on ditto, 12,687..60 181,251..42
" 7-1/2 " in Mazatlan " 103,636..81 1,381,824..13
" 9 " at do. on gold, 14,479..14-1/2 160,879..39
" 9-1/2 " on silver, 48..59 511..39
" 6-1/2 " on wrought gold, 22..36 344..00
" 7 " on wrought silver, 658..11 9,401..57
" 6 " on dye wood, 6,025..14 100,419..00
RESUMÉ NO. 1.
Export of money, $524,351..71-1/2 $8,739,220..00
" of uncoined gold and silver, 153,801..37-1/2 2,183,450..79
" of wrought gold and silver, 6,680..47 9,745..57
---------------- ---------------
Total export of the precious metals, $678,833..56 $10,932,416..36
Export of dye woods, 6,025..14 100,419..00
---------------- ---------------
Total, $684,858..70 $11,032,835..36
================ ===============
COMPARATIVE RESUMÉ NO. 2.
Value of the imports into the republic, $21,139,234..83
" " exports from the republic, 11,032,835..36
---------------
Excess of imports above exports, $10,106,399..47
===============
COMPARATIVE RESUMÉ NO. 3.
Duties. Value of Articles.
Imports, $6,297,686..30 $21,139,234..86
Deduct $557,76..16 charged to the
Vera Cruz custom house for income
of previous years not collected
in 1844, and which sum
is calculated on 30 per cent.
duties, 557,767..16 1,859,223..86
-------------- ---------------
$5,739,919..14 $19,280,011..00
==============
Value of exports deducted, 11,032,835..36
---------------
Effective excess of imports in 1844, $8,247,175..64
===============
COMPARATIVE RESUMÉ NO. 4.
There were coined in the Mexican mints in 1844, $13,732,861..04
There were exported in money, 8,739,220..00
---------------
Difference in favor of the mint, $4,993,641..04
===============
As the commercial relations of the United States with Mexico, of course
concern us most intimately, and are those in which we take the deepest
interest, we have formed from official data in the reports of our
Secretaries of the Treasury the following table of our mercantile
intercourse from 1829 to 1849:
COMMERCE BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES FROM 1829 TO 1849.
Imports from Mexico. Exports to Mexico.
For year ending 30th Sept., 1829 $5,026,761 $2,331,151
" " " 1830 5,235,241 4,837,458
" " " 1832 4,293,954 3,467,541
" " " 1833 5,452,818 5,408,091
" " " 1834 8,066,068 5,265,053
" " " 1835 9,490,446 9,029,221
" " " 1836 5,615,819 6,041,635
" " " 1837 5,654,002 3,880,323
" " " 1838 3,127,153 2,787,362
" " " 1839 3,500,707 2,164,097
" " " 1840 4,175,001 2,515,341
" " " 1841 3,484,957 2,036,620
" " " 1842 1,996,694 1,534,233
Last quarter of '42 and
first two quarters of 1843 2,782,406 1,471,937
For year ending 30th June, 1844 2,387,002 1,794,833
" " " 1845 1,702,936 1,152,331
" war year, " 1846 1,836,621 1,531,180
" war year, " 1847 481,749 238,004
" " " 1848 1,581,247 4,054,452
By this table, covering the commerce between the United States and
Mexico for nineteen years, we observe that from having a trade worth,
_in imports and exports_, about nineteen millions and a half, in 1835,
it is now reduced, in years undisturbed by war or the results of war, to
not more than two millions and a half or three millions. As commerce
usually regulates itself, in spite of personal or national prejudices,
this fact is doubtless attributable to the lower rates at which European
manufacturers and producers are enabled to afford their merchandise in
the Mexican market. Nevertheless, we doubt not that the trade might be
improved considerably by certain modifications of the tariff, especially
upon the article of cotton, which as will be seen in our notices of the
manufacturing establishments of Mexico is largely demanded from abroad
in consequence of the failure from personal causes to produce an
adequate supply within that republic.
The IMPORTS OF MEXICO consist chiefly of the following articles:
LINENS; five-eighths of which are received from Germany, while
three-eighths are of Irish, Dutch, French and North American
manufacture. The German linens are chiefly obtained from Silesia, and
the finest kinds are in great demand.
COTTON goods are imported largely from England, the United States and
France.
The importation of the best qualities of SILKS reaches annually about
one million of dollars in value, and they are the productions of France
and Germany; about three-fourths of the trade, in this article,
belonging exclusively to France.
For her WOOLLEN FABRICS Mexico relies upon England and France, though
Germany participates in the importation of some qualities.
ORNAMENTAL WARES, MILLINERY or articles of personal and fashionable
luxury are obtained from France.
Genoa and Bordeaux furnish PAPER;--GLASSWARE, window glass and looking
glasses are imported from the United States, England and France, but the
finer kinds are exceedingly rare and costly, in consequence of the risk
of transportation through the country by the present imperfect modes of
carriage over bad roads. IRON WARE, of all kinds, and iron machinery for
manufacturing or mining purposes, are imported from the United States,
England, France, Germany and Spain.
QUICKSILVER, one of the most important articles for the miners, is
brought in French and Italian ships from Idria and Almaden. WINE, BRANDY
and GIN are consumed from France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Holland;
while fine _liqueurs_ are largely imported from France and the Dutch
West Indies.
CACAO is imported from several of the Southern American nations;--OIL
from France, Gibraltar and Genoa;--and WAX, of which about 700,000
dollars worth is annually consumed, is received from the United States
or Cuba. Salted and dried Fish or Flesh is chiefly monopolized by our
traders.
The principal EXPORTS from Mexico have always been and still are,
COCHINEAL, and the PRECIOUS METALS in bars and coined. Of the latter of
these native products it is estimated by reliable authorities that one
half is remitted to England and that the balance is divided between the
United States and the continental states of Europe. The greater portion
of silver is exported from Tampico, which is the nearest vent for the
mineral wealth of Guanajuato, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and the
principal mining districts of northern Mexico. Large sums are also sent
from Vera Cruz and from Mazatlan on the western coast, as will be seen
by reference to our tabular statement of the value of exports. In 1845,
before the war with the United States broke out, and when Mexican trade
was in its ordinary condition, ten millions nine hundred and thirty-two
thousand four hundred and sixteen dollars worth of the precious metals,
coined and uncoined, left these several ports through the regular
channels. But as we have no means of exactly estimating the contraband
exportation, which is very large, we may safely calculate that at least
five millions more found their way clandestinely to Europe and the
United States. Of the regular and lawful exportation, eight millions
seven hundred and thirty-nine thousand two hundred and twenty dollars
were coined; two millions one hundred and eighty-three thousand four
hundred and fifty, in uncoined gold and silver; and nine thousand seven
hundred and forty-five, in wrought silver and gold.
The exportation of COCHINEAL is estimated to range from seven hundred
thousand to one million of dollars worth;--and, when we add to these
articles, DYE WOOD, Vainilla, Sarsaparilla, Jalap, Hides, horns, and a
small quantity of Pepper, Indigo, and Coffee, together with an
occasional invoice of sugar sent from the west coast to Columbia and
Peru, we may consider the list of merchantable Mexican exports as
completely ended.
* * * * *
In all the Mexican towns and cities, and in many of the large villages
there are weekly markets held at which a considerable trade for the
neighborhood is carried on; and, in addition to these, there are nine
great FAIRS at which immense quantities of foreign manufactures are
disposed of. These are held at the following places and times:
1. The Fair at Aguas Calientes--begins on the 20th of November and lasts
10 days.
2. The Fair at Allende in Chihuahua--begins on the 4th of October, and
lasts 8 days.
3. The Fair at Chilapa in Mexico--begins on the 2d of January, and lasts
8 days.
4. The Fair at Chilpanzingo--begins on the 21st of December, and lasts 8
days.
5. The Fair at Huejutla--begins on the 24th of December, and lasts 4
days.
6. The Fair at Ciudad Guerrero--begins on the 12th of December, and
lasts 6 days.
7. The Fair at Saltillo--begins on the 29th of September, and lasts 8
days.
8. The Fair at San Juan de los Lagos--begins on the 5th of December, and
lasts 8 days.
9. The Fair at Tenancingo--begins on the 6th of February, and lasts 10
days.
It will not be considered singular when we recollect the colonial and
subsequent revolutionary history of Mexico, that she has not fostered
her shipping and become a commercial country. The original emigration to
New Spain was not maritime in its character. The Spanish trade was
carried on by the mother country in Spanish vessels exclusively, and
these ships were not owned by or permitted to become the permanent
property of the colonists. The settlers who emigrated retired from the
coasts to the interior where their interests either in the soil, cities,
or mines, immediately absorbed their attention. It was not to be
expected that the Indians, who could scarcely be converted into
agriculturists, would engage in the more dangerous life of sailors. The
whole industry of the foreign population was thus diverted at once from
the sea board, and the consequence was, that notwithstanding the
territory of New Spain is bounded on the east and west by the two great
oceans of the world, those oceans never became the nurses of a hardy
race of mariners whose labors would, in time, have fostered the internal
productiveness of their country by creating a commerce. We are not
astonished, therefore, to find that the whole marine of Mexico, on the
shores of the Gulf, is confined to a petty coasting trade from port to
port, and that her sea-going people are rather fishermen than sailors.
On the west coast, however, the maritime character of the people has
somewhat improved, and a very considerable trade has been carried on by
Mexican vessels, in native productions, not only with Central America,
Columbia, Peru and Chili, but even with the Sandwich Islands.
The geographical position of Mexico, when considered in connexion with
its agricultural riches and metallic wealth, is perhaps the most
remarkable in the world. A comparatively narrow strip of land,
possessing all the climates of the world, is placed midway between the
two great bodies of the northern and southern continents of America, and
midway, also, between the continents of Europe and Asia. In its central
region it extends only five or six hundred miles from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, while, at its southern end, it is swiftly crossed by means
of its rivers or by railways, which, it is alleged, may be easily
constructed. In the midst of this unrivalled territory, in the lap of
the great plateau or table land, and far removed from unhealthy coasts,
lies the beautiful city of Mexico, a natural focus of commerce, wealth
and civilization. Such a picture of natural advantages cannot but strike
us with admiration and hope. If ever there was a capital destined by
nature to form the centre of a great nation, if not to grasp at least a
large share of the North American, European, South American and Oriental
trade, it unquestionably is the city of Mexico. Raised as she is far
above the level of the sea and inaccessible by rivers, the development
of her destiny may be postponed until genius shall inlay her valleys and
ravines with railways, and thus connect her forever with the two coasts.
But can we doubt that this mechanical miracle will be performed? It is
not for us to say whether it shall be the work of the present
generation, or of the present race in Mexico. It seems to be the law of
nature that nations, like men, must advance or be trodden under foot.
The vast army of industrious mankind is ever marching. Nor can we doubt
that unless Mexico learns wisdom from the past, and, abandoning the
paltry political strife which has hitherto crushed her industrial
energy, follows in the footsteps of modern civilization, her fate will
be sure and speedy. The attention of the world is now riveted upon this
region as the natural mistress of the Atlantic and Pacific. If Mexico
covers the eastern and western slopes of her Cordillera with an
intelligent, progressive and peaceful population, invited from abroad to
amalgamate with her own races under the operation of permanent laws and
wholesome government, the change may be slow and her power may be
preserved. But if she will persist in the mad career of folly which has
characterized her since her independence, she will not be able to resist
the gradual and inevitable encroachments from the north, from Europe,
and from the new establishments which are rapidly growing up on the
Isthmus of Panama. These new foundations, based on the incalculable
wealth of California will be fostered by means hitherto undreamed of in
the wildest commerce of the world, and unless Mexico shall avail herself
of their salutary monitions they will finally absorb both her people and
her nationality.
RAILWAY FROM VERA CRUZ TO THE CITY OF MEXICO.
NOTE.--In relation to the various modes of transit across the
Isthmus of Panama or Tehuantepec, we do not deem it advisable to
offer any speculations, at present, (April, 1850.) When
_reconnoissances_ of both routes have been completed and published,
under the sanction of able and disinterested engineers, the world,
which is so largely concerned in this subject, will be better able
to decide as to their relative advantages. Both routes may
ultimately be required, when the augmented commerce of the west
coast of North and South America and the East Indies demands a
speedy access to those regions. In the meantime, however, I subjoin
the following extract from a report made by an officer of our army,
during the war with Mexico, whilst our forces were still occupying
the capital, in March, 1848. It apparently demonstrates at least
the practicability of a railway from Vera Cruz to the valley:
"Of the different routes proposed, the one following the ridge
which separates the towns or the two rivers of Tomepa and Obatejua,
passing near or through the towns or villages of Acanisica, St.
Bartolomé, St. Martin, Nopalpica, and Tlascala, is not only the
shortest and most level, but offers the fewest difficulties to
overcome. This route does not offer the slightest obstruction, with
the exception of crossing the river San Juan, till you reach the
Boca del Monte, seventeen leagues from Vera Cruz; thence pursuing
its course along the sides of the same almost continuous ridge,
with an ascent of not more than one upon fifty, till you reach the
deep Barranca of Chichiquila, twenty-three leagues from Vera Cruz;
the road is thence across the Barranca, on embankments and stone
walls, the materials for this purpose being plentiful and on the
ground; the ten leagues from the Barranca of Chichiquila to the
highest point of elevation, form the most difficult and costly
section of the road. It must, however, be here taken into
consideration, that at this very point of the road there are found
in the immediate vicinity twelve Indian villages, capable of
furnishing a large number of efficient workmen, who would be
willing and even anxious to labor at the very low price of 37-1/2
cents per day, in the most healthy climate of the country.
"From this point of highest elevation, the route followed, reduces
the distance to the city of Mexico to 37 leagues--making the whole
distance from Vera Cruz to the capital not more than 73 leagues.
"It must be borne in mind, that in making the following estimate,
we have taken into consideration the extreme low rate of wages in
the country, as compared with the wages of the journeymen laborers
in the United States; and this alone must make an immense
difference in cost of works of the kind executed in Mexico,
whenever we base our estimates upon the costs of similar works in
England or in our own country.
ESTIMATE OF COST.
_Section._ _Leagues._ _Dollars._
1st. 3 Grading from Vera Cruz to the foot of the small ridge of
the Molino de Ricato, over a sandy soil, easy to excavate
and transport superstructure, 125,000
2d. 2 Whole cost of the two leagues, from the last point to the
river San Juan, nearly level ground, including superstructure
and a stone bridge across this river, 95,000
3d. 12 Twelve leagues from the river San Juan to Boca del
Monte, 450,000
4th. 6-1/2 Six and a half leagues from Boca del Monte to the Barranca
of Chichiquila--superstructure, 275,000
5th. 6-1/2 Six and a half leagues across the Barranca of Chichiquila.
This section is the most difficult and costly part of the
road, and will cost over $300,000 per mile--say, superstructure, 2,500,000
6th. 4 The next four leagues to the valley of St. Andres, 245,000
7th. 34-1/2 From the foot of the Sierra Madre, through the northern
part of the valley of St. Andres, crossing the road from
Perote to Puebla, near the village of Poctarus to San
Cristoval, 1,300,000
8th. 4 Four leagues from San Cristoval to the city of Mexico, 270,000
Locomotives and cars, 550,000
---------
Whole cost of the road, 5,810,000
P. O. HÉBERT,
Lieut. Col. 14th Infantry"