on the Rio Grande, within that state foreign goods were exempted from duty and other charges.[1]
Under the different tariffs enacted, the produce and manufactures of the country have been generally exempt from export duty. The precious metals, however, from the earliest periods of the republic, have been subject to an exportation tax, varying on gold from three to one half per centum, and on silver from ten to five per centum, the lowest rates having been fixed by congress in 1882. The exportation of gold and silver bullion has been often forbidden, and at times allowed, the latter being the case under the last-mentioned decree of congress. Occasionally, a small duty was levied on national produce, as in 1853, when eighteen articles were taxed, such as live-stock, raw wool, hides, salt beef, lard, etc.[2]
During Maximilian's reign, various decrees were passed concerning import dues, all of which were ignored by the republican government after his fall. On January 1, 1872, a new tariff was established, which in March 1877 was declared to be still in force, together with the orders issued during the interval. This law removed all prohibitions, and foreign goods of every kind were allowed to enter on payment of
- ↑ The federal government sanctioned the decree Sept. 30th following, and enlarged the belt later, not without great opposition. In June 17, 1878, a regulation was issued, ratifying all that had been decreed before relative to the zona libre, and finally by decree of Jan. 24, 1885, establishing new tariff regulations, the zona libre was extended all along the frontier from Matamoros to Tijuana in Lower Cal. Manero, Not. Com., Mex., 31-7, 47-8; Mex., Mem. Hac., 1868, app. last doc., 1-9; Diario Debates, 6th Cong., iv. 14-15; U. S. H. Misc., Cong. 40, Sess. 3, doc. 16; U. S. Sen. Misc., Cong. 41, Sess. 2, doc. 19; U. S. Com. Rept, 701, pp. xix.-xxi., and app. vol. iii., Cong. 45, Sess. 2; Mex., Diario Ofic., Jan. 31, 1885.
- ↑ Information on the above subject will be found in Gaz. Imp., i. 157-8; Guia de Hac., iii. 1-2; Gac. Gob. Mex., April 18, 1827; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ii. 30, 75; v. 82; vi. 416; ix. 175-6; Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., i. 631-2; Arrillaga, Recop., May 1849 to Apr. 1850, 69; Mex., Col. Ley., 1853, Apr.-Aug. 1853, 66-7, 93-4; Mex., Legis. Mej., Apr.-July 1853, 236; Aug-Dec. 1853, 323-4; Jan.-May 1854, 109-11; El Correo Nac., Nov. 11, 1847; El Razonador, Nov. 20, 1847; Diario de Avisos, July 11, 1859; Mex., Col. Ley., Dec. y Órd., Sept.-Dec. 1853. 195-6; Arco Iris, Oct. 1847; Sin., Bol. Ofic., May 16, 1872, 217; Tovar, Hist. Parl., iii 1004-6; iv. 38, 230, 272, 705; Diario Debates, 10th Cong., iii. 889.
