Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/325

MEXICO. 285 nothing to the Federation. The debt of several other States, (as Guanajuato, New Leon, Cohahuila, and Sonora) was very inconsiderable ; while those whose arrears were largest, (Jalisco, Mexico, Queretaro, and Valladolid,) are precisely the States which, from the amount of their population, and the superiority of their internal resources, are best able, ultimately, to meet their engagements. The arrears due to the Federation for Tobacco are much more considerable than those due on the account of the Con- tingent. By the official returns it appears, that, up to June 1826, the States had received Tobacco, wrought and un- wrought, to the amount of . . 3,950,890 dollars, and had paid . . . 1,343,539 Balance 2,607,351 The repayment of which will require time. The amount of the deficit, however, proves the importance which this branch of the Revenue has already acquired, and, as the establishments connected with it are now organized, its pro- duce must henceforward increase both in regularity and amount. I do not, therefore, conceive that I estimate it too high, in giving two millions and a half as the probable gross receipt, in the year 1828. I likewise think that the full Act//' contingent, or 1,573,756 dollars, may be reckoned upon during the same period ; and I am of opinion that, from the increasing home consumption of the country, the produce of the custom-houses will not fall short of the eight millions of dollars, at which Mr. Esteva esti- mates them, in his report for 1827- Upon this supposition, I shall hazard a calculation of the probable revenue of Mexico in 1828 ; taking the gross re- ceipts of the ten months ending the 1st of July, 1826, as the basis, with allowances for such moderate increase, as I con- ceive the general aspect of affairs to warrant ; but omitting