342 MEXICO. another duty of Three per cent, was granted to the States on the articles consumed in their respective territories. This change, although it raised in fact the duties payable on Foreign Imports, from 38| to 43 per cent.,* was, never- theless, an advantage to the merchant, as nothing could be so great an obstacle to the progress of Trade as the constant re- currence of the Alcavala, for which, though levied by certain fixed regulations, there was no established scale of value. This important point was left to the discretion of the Vista, (or inspector,) whose valuation, of course, varied in propor- tion to the price at which an understanding with him was purchased. Under the present system, the Internation duty is paid upon the same valuation as the Customs, and to the same officers, by which the possibility of collusion, or of arbitrary valuations, is much diminished. Goods when landed, are lodged in the Custom-house, where they remain until they are " dispatched," as it is termed. This consists in their being examined by the Vista, who de- termines the value according to the Tariff, which ought to be done within forty days after the goods have been landed. A term of three months is allowed for the payment of the duties.^}*
- Customs . . 25 Customs . . • 25
Alcavalas . . 12 Internation duty . 15 Municipal dues . l| Dei-echo de consumo . 3 38i 43 t It will be seen by this statement, that for the duties on goods in- tended for the city of Mexico, it is necessary for the merchant resident in the city, to send dollars to Veracruz. To obviate the needless trans- mission of dollars, which will in part, if not wholly, have to be returned to the General Treasury in Mexico, the merchants in the city pay one half in specie and give security for the payment of the other half, in the city of Mexico, they allowing the Government three or four per cent, on the amount, as an equivalent to the risk of sending the dollars to the coast, and the Government, on the other hand, giving a little extension to the time for paying the moiety of the duties into the General Treasury.
