222 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



two to three hundred weight, is from eighteen 

 to twenty-two dollars. The goods sold in 

 Mexico pay again another duty on being re- 

 moved to the provinces ; but if they are in- 

 tended, when landed, to be removed direct to 

 the cities beyond Mexico, an arrangement can 

 be made at the port custom-house which will 

 save some of the expenses. 



Much trouble and vexatious delay may 

 also be prevented, on the part of the owner of 

 goods, by employing a respectable resident 

 broker. Some newly arrived supercargoes, 

 who chose to conduct their own business at the 

 custom-house, assured me they had lost much 

 time and had saved nothing by their labour. 



The contraband trade carried on at the 

 castle is a source of considerable loss and 

 trouble to the fair trader, as it is notorious 

 that, by intriguing with its officers of the 

 customs, goods to a vast amount may be 

 clandestinely conveyed into the country. 



