in this respect over all other nations,[1] owing chiefly to Mexico's great demand for cotton stuffs. But during late years, the United States has outstripped her rival.
The collection of revenue from customs has been, from the earliest days of independent Mexico, in charge of aduanas marítimas, fronterizas, and terrestres. The first named were divided into two classes, those for general commerce, and those for cabotage. Both the marítimas and fronterizas have appendages under the title of receptorías, or receiving offices. The terrestres have receptorías and sub-receptorías. At each port open to foreign trade, the government keeps a customhouse or dependency with the requisite officials. Each custom-house has a special regulation suited to its locality, besides the rules governing all. It is also provided with a comandante de resguardo, whose chief duty is to guard against smuggling.[2]
- ↑ The following table of importations during the fiscal year 1874–5, derived from official documents, will make this apparent:
France-Cotton goods $344,732 Miscellaneous merchandise 2,752,258 $3,096,990 Germany-Cotton goods $199,750 Miscellaneous merchandise 806,013 1,005,763 England — Cotton goods $5,109,231 Miscellaneous merchandise 3,547,932 8,657,163 United States-Cotton goods $1,674,184 Miscellaneous merchandise 3,354,451 5,028,635 Spain-Cotton goods $2,374 Miscellaneous merchandise 912,534 914,908 South America-Cotton goods $49,065 Miscellaneous merchandise 140,966 190,031 Total $18,793,490 Busto, Estad. Rep. Mex., i. 4ta pte, 115-17. The above figures are those on the face of the invoices. On the entry of goods into Mexican ports, the invoice figures were raised to the valor de plaza upon which the duties were calculated. The valor de plaza corresponding to this total of $18,793,490 was $27,300,855. The system of raising the invoice prices of merchandise was employed in order to prevent fraudulent evasion of the duties by exhibiting fictitious invoices.
- ↑ He is required to keep the government promptly advised of vessels arrived, together with their cargoes and other particulars, including the lists of passengers, and their nationality, trade, and occupations.
