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MEXICO. 



and, in process of time, there was established one 

 of the most extraordinary systems of organized 

 smuggling which the world ever saw. This was 

 known under the name of the contraband or forced 

 trade, and was carried on in armed vessels, well 

 manned, and prepared to fight their way to the 

 coast, and to resist, as they often did with effect, 

 the guarda costas, or coast blockades of Spain. 

 This singular system of warlike commerce was 

 conducted by the Dutch, Portuguese, French, 

 English, and latterly by the North Americans. 

 In this way, goods to an immense value were dis- 

 tributed over South America, and although the 

 prices were necessarily high, and the supply pre- 

 carious, that taste for the comforts and luxuries of 

 European invention was first encouraged, which 

 afterwards operated so powerfully in giving a 

 steady and intelligible motive to the efforts of the 

 Patriots, in their struggles with the mother coun- 

 try. Along with the goods which the contraband 

 trade forced into the colonies, no small portion of 

 knowledge found entrance, in spite of the increased 

 exertions of the Inquisition, and church influence, 

 aided by the redoubled vigilance of government. 



