cession that one vessel annually from each port might trade between the two colonies was shackled with restrictions, and in 1634 finally withdrawn.[1] Yet this ungenerous legislation was not wholly effective, since we learn that Peruvian vessels directed their course from time to time to the port of Acapulco, and that even viceroys were apt to ignore the stringent statutes, whereupon the crown ordered that the penalty of death and confiscation of property should be imposed upon all Peruvian merchants trading with Acapulco.[2] Happy colonies! Nevertheless during the eighteenth century trade to some extent was reëstablished,[3] though it was not until 1794 that the eyes of Spain were opened and the monarch decreed free trade between the two colonies.[4]
The internal commerce of New Spain was conducted for a long time along the routes of the Indian trails: but these narrow lines of communication were soon widened and made practicable for pack trains and wagons,[5] while additional roads were opened later between important places. The principal routes were those from the capital to Vera Cruz through Puebla and Jalapa; that through Chilpancingo to Acapulco; the one to Guatemala through Oajaca; and that leading northward to Durango and called "el camino de tierra dentro." From these main arteries branches and ramifications extended to all the principal towns.[6]
- ↑ The vessel which left Callao was permitted to take 200,000 ducados to invest in produce or manufactures of New Spain, but nothing else, not even goods from Spain. Heavy penalties were enforced in cases of violation of these rules. Grau y Monfalcon, in Id., 447-8.
- ↑ Robles, Diario, i. 212, 241; Descrip. de Amer., MS., 196-8. Viceroy Linares with more liberal views suggested to the king the advisability of reopening trade with Peru, but his majesty disregarded this advice, and by cédula of July 3, 1712, peremptorily forbade all traffic between the ports of New Spain and that colony. Reales Cedulas, MS., i. 74.
- ↑ Revilla Gigedo, Instruc., 105-6.
- ↑ Gaz. Mex. (1800-1), x. 125.
- ↑ Salmeron stated in 1531 that work had been begun on these native roads. Ternaux-Compans, serie ii. tom. v. 191-2.
- ↑ Humboldt, Essai Polit., ii. 682-8. The different halting-places were provided with mesones and posadas, and the justices were ordered by the king to see that travellers were supplied with provisions and other necessaries for the road at fair prices, 'y que no se les hagan extorsioues.' Recop. de Ind., ii. 56.
