EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATIONS. 



109 



1828 to 1829 the national expenses were 15,604,000 

 1830 to 1831 " " " . 17,438,000 

 1832 to 1833 " " " . 22,392,000 

 According to report of commissioners to Cham- 

 ber of Deputies in 1846, .... 21,254,134 

 Period of Santa Anna's administration, . 25,222,304 



These dates, it will be observed comprehend epochs in which 

 the country has been governed by the federal system as well as 

 those in which extraordinary powers were conferred on national 

 magistrates. In the preceding yearly amounts, it should be recol- 

 lected, that a few of them comprise occasional sums paid on ac- 

 count of the foreign and domestic debt ; but, on an average, thir- 

 teen millions of dollars may be considered as the annual outlay. 



In consequence of this costly government of so small a nation, a 

 large foreign and domestic debt has been created, in addition to 

 the liabilities of New Spain prior to independence, which are calcu- 

 lated at nearly forty-two millions. 



In considering this interesting subject we have taken pains to 

 obtain the best authorities from Mexico, and, from the reports of 

 the ministers of finance, we reach the following results in regard to 

 that republic's financial condition in the year 1850. Her foreign 

 debt amounts to $58,889,487 ; her home-debt to $48,934,610; and 

 her debt, prior to independence, to $41,983,096, making a total 

 of pecuniary liabilities, with interest, to the 1st of July, 1849, of 

 one hundred and forty-nine millions, eight hundred and seven thou- 

 sand, one hundred and ninety-three dollars ; — the annual interest 

 on which, alone, amounts to nearly nine millions of dollars. 



Inasmuch as the clear income of Mexico in 1849, was not calcu- 

 lated at more than five millions five hundred and forty thousand 

 one hundred and twelve dollars, while the expenses were rated at 

 thirteen millions seven hundred and sixty-five thousand four hun- 

 dred and thirty-five dollars, there would necessarily be an annual 

 deficit, in the mere current finances, of eight millions two hun- 

 dred and twenty-five thousand three hundred and twenty-three 

 dollars. This sum, added to the actual interest on the national 

 debt, shows the total yearly deficit in Mexico, of seventeen millions 

 two hundred and thirteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-four 

 dollars ; — a sum larger than the present yield of all the mints in 

 the republic. 



This frightful picture of national finances is now absorbing the 

 attention of the Mexican people and congress ; and it is to be hoped 

 that some wise plan may be devised to extricate the nation from 



