in 1854. After his downfall, a decree of January 21, 1856, suppressed the estanco, which has not been revived since. The importation of foreign manufactured tobacco, but not in the raw state, subject to duty was permitted. Under the free system the business revived, and it is found that in 1860 twenty factories produced the equivalent to a weight of 41,258,700 pounds valued at $16,503,480. In 1869 a large extent of country on the coast north and south of Vera Cruz was planted in tobacco, that of Tlapacoyam being of fine quality.[1]
The fishing industry, though of sufficient importance to engage the statistician's attention, has been hitherto much neglected. The value of food-fishes caught on both the north and south coasts was, according to an official report of 1810, set down at $150,000. In 1811 the catch on the Yucatan coast for exportation, chiefly to Vera Cruz, was of about 100,000 pounds, which declined, however, prior to 1845. At various
- ↑ Two Cubans had charge of the cultivation; 300,000 young plants had been placed in the ground at Tlapacoyam. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, ii. 420. Several other branches of manufactures deserve notice. The following list shows the production and value of each in 1869. In later years their importance must have been greatly augmented. Iron-works 10, making 126,489,000 lbs., $7,589,376; matches 7, 28,935,514 gross boxes, $1,310,271; pianos 2, 146 instruments, $13,809; soap 32, 131,000 loads, $2,692,030; fine hats 6, 2,658,443 hats, $3,316,886; gold and silver lace 7, 4,612 pieces, $192,480; cannon foundries 3, 73 pieces, 223,400; caps 2, 12,800,000 caps, $12, 803; gunpowder 3, 2,825,lbs., $84,729; chocolate 13, 1,248,000 lbs., $780,000. Number of regular factories of all kinds in the country 207, producing $58,000,003. In this amount cotton and woollen goods made in regular factories count for only $10,103. We have already seen that in 1879 their value was $23,000,030. Shops of all kinds, at which goods were made, including hemp, flax, and maguey fabrics, 23,715, among them 85 printing-offices, some of them doing fine work. Furniture, carriages, gold, and silver jewelry of the finest kind, were also made. The computed value of goods placed in the list of manufactures proper, $53,000,000; of mechanical and liberal arts, $150,000,000; grand total, 208,000,000. Number of persons employed, 204,955 men, 22,114 women, 7,145 children, making a total of 234,105. Hernandez, Estad. Mej., 197–50. The following authorities also give information on the subject of manufactures: Alaman, Hist. Mej., i. 448; Guerra, Rev. Nva Esp., ii. 541; Mendibil, Resúmen Hist., 103; Córtes, Col. Déc., ii. 51-2; Notic. Gen., May 29, 1329; Mex., Col. Dec. y Órd., 193-4; Arrillaga, Recop., 1830, 393; 1839, 158-9; Mex., Col. Leyes, 1929-33, 121; Mex., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1844-6, 30-8, 420-1; Mex., Legis. Méj, 1851, 105-6; 1855, 152-3; Mex., Col. Ley. Órd., 1850-1, i. 255-6; 1953, Sept.-Dec., v. 4-5, 134; 1555, Jan.-Aug., viii, 123-9, 305; Blazquez, Mem. Maguey, 1-32.
