SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



223 



They are generally landed at the castle first, 

 till an opportunity offers for their removal, 

 when they are taken in the night to the beach 

 above or below the town. I slept some nights 

 after my arrival at Vera Cruz on board the 

 vessel that took me out ; she was moored un- 

 der the walls of the castle, and near us was a 

 Spanish ship of war, which was employed re- 

 gularly in this way in secretly discharging a 

 cargo of brandies. It is principally the 

 Spanish merchants who are thus enabled to 

 avoid the heavy duties and charges demanded 

 by the Mexican government, and who, by 

 these means, are competent to undersell the 

 fair trader in the article of his own manufac- 

 ture. This state of things cannot be of long 

 continuance; half a dozen English frigates, 

 properly applied, would afford relief in a few 

 hours, and purge New Spain of the only 

 place now held by her former masters. The 

 state of trade has already undergone as great 



