Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/561

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SHIPPING.
541

velopment of the national mercantile marine by the reduction of importation duties.[1]

With regard to the carrying trade, the United States has always far surpassed England and all other nations. In 1826, 399 vessels under the United States flag entered Mexican ports, against 55 English; in 1851, 435 American, 108 English, and 296 vessels of other nations entered. The subjoined tables supply shipping statistics for later years.[2] During the fiscal year 1883-4, no less than 1,241 vessels

  1. Namely, 2 per cent on goods brought from any foreign port; 4 per cent on goods from Asiatic ports to the Pacific coast of Mexico, by irregular voyages, and 8 per cent by regular steamer lines. Mex., Mem. Hac., 1884, pp. xvii.-xviii.; Diario Ofic., Dec. 13, 1883.
  2. The entries were as follows:
    Vessels. Tonnage.
    1869 — American 371 531,194
    English 150 87,779
    Other nations 337 97,059
    Mexican 2,473 110,673
    Totals 3,331 826,705

    These vessels conveyed 7,146 passengers to Mexico.

    Vessels. Tonnage.
    1870 — American 328 386,176
    English 163 75,461
    Mexican 2,155 108,641
    Other nations 304 98,783
    Totals 2,950 669,061

    These vessels conveyed 6,780 passengers.

    Vessels. Tonnage.
    1871 — American 299 371,040
    English 165 91,951
    Mexican 1,978 98,408
    Other nations 311 92,343
    Totals 2,753 653,742

    These vessels conveyed 6,294 passengers.

    Departures:

    Vessels. Tonnage.
    1869 — Foreign 830 664,917
    Mexican 2,489 104,722
    1870 — Foreign 801 559,543
    Mexican 2,140 100,008
    1871 — Foreign 752 446,398
    Mexican 1,906 105,617
    Total for the 3 years 8,918 1,981,205

    Mex., Mem. Fomento, 1873, annexes B, C, & D. Comparing the number of Mexican vessels and their corresponding tonnage with that of foreign vessels and their tonnage, it will be seen that the former were of smaller burden, owing to the fact that the Mexican mercantile marine consists principally of small coasting craft, with but few ocean-traversing bottoms.