220 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



place, as it lies principally through a popu- 

 lous country, abounding with good stone for 

 the purpose. If the persons who now crowd 

 the prisons of the large towns, mostly for 

 robberies, could be so employed, it might be 

 advantageous to the people, and would effect 

 the requisite repairs in a few months. Or if 

 once the independence of this valuable country 

 is acknowledged by England, a company 

 might be formed for effecting so very desirable 

 a work, which would amply repay the ex- 

 penditure. Without it, the conveyance of the 

 heavy cast iron machinery of the steam- 

 engines, with the necessary iron tools, &c, 

 for the mines now about to be opened, will be 

 a labour of great difficulty. 



The duties and other expenses on the 

 landing of goods at Vera Cruz are enormously 

 high, and tend much to discourage the mer- 

 cantile speculator; eight and a half per cent. 

 ad valorem is paid on all cargoes from Europe, 



