SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 219 



good fathers of the Franciscan convent, near 

 the gate leading to the pier, and taking up 

 my quarters with them, lived as comfortably 

 for the time I remained as the excessive heat 

 of the climate would permit. 



I found, on my return, that several respect- 

 able English mercantile houses had been es- 

 tablished during my short absence, and that 

 others were preparing ; strong hopes were en- 

 tertained that the heavy import duties would 

 shortly be lessened, and that the facilities for 

 transporting goods into the interior would be 

 increased. A plan for the establishment of 

 waggons on the great road to the capital had 

 been partially acted on by some gentlemen 

 from the United States, and promised to be 

 successful, especially if the roads were put 

 into a state of repair, and a few of the un- 

 finished points of connexion completed, which 

 would not be attended with any very con- 

 siderable expense, with the exception of one 



