104 THE FUTURE PROSPECTS AND POSITION OF MEXICO. 



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 com- 

 merce. 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 con- 

 nexion 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 con- 

 tinents 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 beauti- 

 ful city of Mexico, a natural focus of commerce, wealth and civili- 

 zation. 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 me- 

 chanical 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 



