314 MEXICO. 
The value of the Mexican manufacturing establishments may be stated, 
in round numbers, at $10,000,000. 
Hitherto the cotton crop of the Republic has not greatly exceeded 50,000 
quintals ; which, calculated at a mean of $35 the quintal, will give a total 
valuation of the produce at $1,750,000. The estimate I have presented 
in the foregoing tables shows, however, that the spindles, working day and 
night, will require 247,937^ quintals, or, in other words, that there is a 
deficit of 197,973^, which, valued at the same rate, will amount to 
$6,929,072. 
It is true, that many persons have been induced by this condition of the 
market, and the prohibition of importing the raw material, to commence 
plantations of cotton ; but I greatly doubt whether the habits of the agri- 
cultural population will permit their prosperity. They dislike to adventure 
in new branches of industry. If their ancestors wrought on cotton plan- 
tations, they are content to continue in the same employment ; but it will 
be difficult to train the new laborer to the newer cultivation. They ad- 
here too closely to traditional occupations, and I have heard of some most 
signal failures, which have forced persons to abandon their establish- 
ments, after a considerable outlay of money in land and implements. 
Under these circumstances, we may well ask our countrymen whether 
Mexico might not be looked to as a market for a portion of our crops, and 
if the Government should not be requix'ed to turn its attention to this vast 
interest, for the purpose of attempting to obtain a removal of the inhibi- 
tions on that valuable article of commerce. If England were a cotton 
growing country, or had an adjacent colony producing it, I am confident 
that the opportunity would be promptly and advantageously improved. 
Under any circumstances it is worth the trial ; and, especially, at this 
moment, when Great Britain is interfering in the quarrel between IMexico 
and Texas, and seeking either to produce a peace or to form an alliance 
with the revolted province, which will either extinguish slavery and cotton 
planting, or make Mexico the buyer of her offspring's productions, to the 
detriment of our Union. 
The cotton crop of Mexico has been very variable in value. At Tepio, 
on the west coast, it has been as low as $15 the quintal ; at Vera Cruz, 
on the east coast, $22 and $34 ; while at Puebla and in the Capital, it has 
risen to $40, and even $48. 
In spite of all the efforts of English capitalists and diplomacy, the Gov- 
ernment has steadily persevered in fostering the manufactures of the Re- 
public, except by the occasional allowances of the importation of twist. 
The administration of Santa Anna, however, has been energetic I am 
informed, both in its opposition to the introduction of this article, and in 
its effects to suppress the smuggling of English and American fabrics. 
The manufacturers, therefore, regard their establishments as perfectly 
safe, and their future success as certain. 
