Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/387

MEXICO. Colombia, and Guatemala, all of which have ports upon the Pacific. A vessel may, therefore, naturally have on board goods for all these different markets ; and if there be no attempt at concealment, these goods cannot fairly be assumed to be brought into a Mexican port with any fraudulent intention. But such is not the spirit of the present code of Mexico ; for, should a vessel thus circumstanced, from a wish to dispose, first, of the Mexican part of her cargo, enter a Mexican har- bour, the whole of the property on board, not included in the Tariff of the Republic, is confiscated, although the invoice may prove this property to be destined for another market. The case actually occurred in 1826 with the Peruvian brig " Huasco," bound from Callao, to GiiyaquTl, and Realejo, (in Guatemala). After discharging the part of her cargo destined for Guyaquil, she proceeded to San Bias with a freight of Cacao for the Mexican market, intending to touch, on her return, at Realejo, with the rest of her cargo ; which, on her arrival at San Bias, was duly manifested, and depo- sited in the National warehouses. The Cacao was disposed of; but, on making the usual application for leave to re-em- bark the goods destined for Giiatemala, the Supercargo was informed that these goods were contraband, and confiscated to the State. An appeal was made to the tribunals in vain ; and, after a law-suit of four months, during which time the vessel was incurring a very heavy expense, the rainy season having set in, the Supercargo was compelled to return to Peru with the total loss of a part of his cargo, and the abandonment of his intended voyage to Realejo. Another very general cause of complaint is the Warehous- ing system, more particularly as practised upon the Western coast. At Veracruz, and Tampico, there are proper maga- zines for the reception of the goods when landed ; but at San Bias, the only warehouse is situated in the town, at a consi- derable distance from the landing-place, and upon the top of