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MARITIME AND COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.
erable attention to commerce, presenting a clear statement on this subject.[1] Like others, the English navigator was enthusiastic in praise of California's climate and other natural advantages; but like others, he wondered at and deplored the prevalent lack of enterprise on the part of Mexican government and Californian people, predicting an inevitable change of owners should no change of policy occur.[2] His geo-
- ↑ I may quote at some length on this topic, as being the subject proper of this chapter. 'The trade consists in the exportation of hides, tallow, manteca, horses to the Sandwich Islands, grain for the Russian establishments, and in the disposal of provisions to whale-ships, ... and perhaps a few furs and dollars are sent to China. The importations are dry goods, furniture, wearing apparel, agricultural implements, deal boards, and salt; and silks and fireworks from China for the decoration of churches and celebration of saints' days. In 1927 almost all these articles bore high prices: the former in consequence of the increased demand; and the latter partly from the necessity of meeting the expenses of the purchase of a return cargo, and partly on account of the navigation.' Great complaint of high prices, 'not considering that the fault was in great measure their own, and that they were purchasing some articles brought several thousand miles, when they might have procured them in their own country with moderate labor only,' for example, salt and deal boards and carts. 'With similar disregard for their interests, they were purchasing sea-otter skins at $20 apiece, whilst the animals were swimming about unmolested in their own harbors; and this from the Russians, who are intruders on their coast, and are depriving them of a lucrative trace. With this want of commercial enterprise, they are not much entitled to commiseration. With more justice might they have complained of the navigation laws, which, though no doubt beneficial to inhabitants on the eastern coast of Mexico, where there are vessels to conduct the coasting trade, are extremely disadvantageous to the Californians, who having no vessels are often obliged to pay the duties on goods introduced in foreign bottoms.' 17% higher than on Mexican vessels. Not only this, 'but as a foreign vessel cannot break stowage without landing the whole of her cargo, they must in addition incur the expenses attending that which will in general fall upon a few goods only. The imprudent nature of these laws as regards California appears to have been considered by the authorities, as they overlook the introduction of goods into the towns by indirect channels, except in cases of a gross and palpable nature. In this manner several American vessels have contrived to dispose of their cargoes, and the inhabitants have been supplied with goods of which they were much in need.' p. 68-70.
- ↑ 'Possessing all these advantages, an industrious population alone seems requisite to withdraw it from the obscurity in which it has so long slept under the indolence of the people and the jealous policy of the Spanish government. Indeed, it struck us as lamentable to see such an extent of habitable country lying almost desolate and useless to mankind, whilst other nations are groaning under the burden of their population. It is evident from the natural course of events, and from the rapidity with which observation has recently been extended to the hitherto most obscure parts of the globe, that this indifference cannot continue; for either it must disappear under the present authorities, or the country will fall into other hands, as from its situation with regard to other powers upon the new continent, and to the commerce of the Pacific, it is of too much importance to be permitted to remain longer in its present neglected state. Already have the Russians encroached
