paratively complete, showing the total revenue from duties to have been about $50,000 for the year. Of the vessels, the Rosa and the Loriot were employed by the territorial government for the exile of the colony revolutionists; while the Pilgrim and Alert were the Boston ships on which Richard H. Dana had his experience of 'Two Years before the Mast,' resulting in one of the most fascinating and widely read books ever written about California. I refer the reader to a list at the end of this chapter for more particulars about the vessels of 1831-5.
I have now to notice commercial regulations and other general phases of the subject — briefly, for modifications were neither frequent nor radical. Governor Victoria issued an order a few days after assuming his office, by which he required a strict enforcement of the Mexican revenue laws. Declaring Monterey the only legal port, at which exclusively foreign vessels must discharge their cargoes and pay duties, he forbade the introduction of prohibited goods, the continuance of retail trade by the vessels, and the payment of duties in kind. Bandini, then in charge of the comisaría, not only denied Victoria's right to interfere at all in matters of revenue, but defended the abuses complained of, on the ground that they had arisen chiefly from the peculiar circumstances and necessities of California, and that they had the tacit sanction of the government.[1] It does not appear that Victoria's
- ↑ Feb. 9, 1831, V. to B. and Gomez. Sup. Govt St. Pap., MS., vii. 1; Leg. Rec., MS., i. 268-9. Mar. 7th, B.'s reply. Id., i. 269-73. April 13th, V. proposed the imposition of tonnage dues on whalers and the abatement of the duties exacted from Russian vessels. Dept. Rec., MS., ix. 123. Echeandía represented that trade with foreign vessels had been well regulated at the begivning of 1831. St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 43, 45, June 27th, Mexican regulations. Arrillaga, Recop., 1831, p. 324-46. May 17, 1832, instructions to Figueroa. Commerce to be fostered and exports of surplus products, to which end the missions should be induced to build small vessels for the coasting trade; Californians should be encouraged to engage in commercial pursuits, especially in otter-hunting, with a view to drive out foreigners; and
house for the year, $48,125, though there is a variation of a few thousand dollars in different accounts; salaries and other expenses, $6,991; balance paid into the comisaría.
