of cargoes for convenience of sale and transportation, and the reduction of duties to at most the original twenty-five per cent by the removal of the internacion and avería taxes, and even the tonnage dues. The two first had already been accomplished practically, since the authorities admitted that they had rarely refused permission to engage in coast trade; and as to the third, both governor and comisario were opposed to the high rates, and had been as careless as they dared, and their subordinates even less careful. The diputacion considered the matter in June and July, and by the decision of that body and the resulting decrees, coast trade was legalized, subject to the decision of the supreme government. The removal of the duties was recommended, the internacion tax was restricted to goods carried inland more than four leagues, while the missions were allowed to give bonds for the tax pending the result in Mexico.[1]
- ↑ Jan. 22, and Aug. 6, 1827, Herrera regulates the details of trade between private persons and foreign vessels, to prevent abuses of the illegal privileges allowed of coast trade and division of cargoes. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 82-6. June 23d, July 24th, sessions of the diputacion. Bandini took a leading part in urging the reforms. Leg. Rec., MS., i. 52-4, 64-72. July 20th, gov. announces that foreign vessels may touch at Sta Cruz, S. Luis, Purísima, Refugio, and S. Juan, by applying to the nearest comandante with a statement from the missionary that such visit is necessary. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 68; Dept. St. Pap., MS., i. 144. Aug. 10th, com. of Sta Bárbara on same subject. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lvii. 12-13. Aug. 7th, Herrera announces the change respecting the internacion duty. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 86-7. Aug. 22d, gov. to sup. govt, announcing the act of the dip.; also asking for one or two gunboats and for a naval station at S. Francisco. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 128-9. June 1st, min. of war to E., announcing the president's permission for foreign vessels to touch at the way-ports already named in this note and in the text. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 176. Vallejo, Esposicion, 6, cites in 1837 a law of Nov. 16, 1827, forbidding comercio de escala by foreign vessels. The tariff law of Nov. 16th, Mexico, Arancel Gen., 1827, p. 5, allowed foreign goods to be introduced into Cal. for three fifths the duties required elsewhere except in Yucatan; but if reëxported, the other two fifths must be paid. Miscellaneous items on commerce for 1827: Rates of duties — import, 25% on value; avería, 2½% on do.; internacion, 15% on do.; tonnage, $2.50 per ton (Mexican measurement); anchorage, $10 per vessel; collectors' compensation, 3%. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Mil., MS., lxii. 5-10. Jan., national products free from export duty, except gold and silver. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 71. Jan. 31st, gov. says Sandwich Island traders may touch at ports; but not war-vessels, until it be proved that they sail under a proper flag and due authority. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 19. July 20th, Capt. Guerra says the Mexicans in Cal. will probably abandon trade to the foreigners, who speculate in everything, and with whom they cannot compete. Doc. Hist. Cal.,
