sels after discharging their cargoes at Monterey or San Diego might visit the other ports to take away produce, except money and breeding cattle, returning to settle accounts.[1] I find no evidence, however, that this order was obeyed this year. In the correspondence on revenue the only item worth notice was the reduction of the internacion tax to ten per cent, presumably in response to the petition of 1827.[2] The Russians were permitted to take otter on a small scale for joint account of the company and the government. American vessels sought hides chiefly; those from Mexico and Peru gave more attention to tallow, while the Hawaiian buyers took away by preference skins and horses.[3]
The traders were not pleased at the restrictions which the Californian authorities could not well help enforcing to a certain extent; and they redoubled their efforts at smuggling. In most cases they were successful, not much to the displeasure of any one in California, and without leaving any trace of their movements in the records; but occasionally by their insolent disregard of appearances even, they came into conflict with Echeandía. Two such instances in particular are recorded, that of the Franklin and that of
- ↑ Sept. 30, 1828, gov.'s order in Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 103-3; Dept. St. Pap, S. Jose, MS., iv. 72-3. Nov. 26th, gov. permits foreign vessels, after discharging their inward cargoes, to carry lumber from Monterey to Sta Bárbara. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 145. Nov. 30th, E. to min. of war, asking that S. Diego be opened formally and fully to foreign commerce. Id., vi. 52; Dept. St. Pap., MS., iii. 208.
- ↑ March 20, 1828, com. gen. sends decree of congress reducing the duty to 8% (on the goods for which bonds had been given?) if paid within 15 days after publication of this order. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 95. But in August Echeandía says the tax is 10%. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 86. Feb. 1st, woollen and silk of Mexican manufacture free of duties. Dept. St. Pap., Mont., MS., i. 20. Goods still received as duties. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xvii. 9, et passim. Consignees must declare tonnage of vessels on presenting manifest of cargo. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Com. and Treas., MS., i. 93. June 20th, revenue from maritime duties belongs to the nation; taxes on retail trade to the municipality. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 58. Sept. 30th, tonnage $2.12½ per ton. Id., vi. 103. Avería duties from July 1828 to June 1829, $256. Mexico, Mem. Hacienda, 1829, doc. 29. Duties were computed by Martinez at S. Francisco, by taking three fifths of the value, and the tonnage was reckoned at $2.12½ per ton, less two fifths, a deduction for which he was blamed by the governor. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 157, 162.
- ↑ Spence's Hist. Notes, MS., 13.
