Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/71

MEXICO. 41 As late as 1802, a general order to this effect was issued, which was acted upon at Dolores, (the curacy of the first Insurgent chief, Hidalgo,) in 1805. There is little doubt, however, that the vine will flourish, and that wine may be made, in almost every part of Mexico. Whatever be its quality, it cannot well be worse than the coarse Catalonian vintages, with which the country has been hitherto supplied; while on the balance of trade it would have a considerable eff*ect, the sum averaged by wines im- ported, before the Revolution, being not less than 7^0,000 dollars per annum. The attention of the landed proprietors is already turned to the subject, but much time must elapse before any change can be effected ; and as the French have, in the mean time, possession of the market, it is probable that they will find it to be their interest to keep it so well, and so cheaply supplied, that the project of growing wines for home consumption will be abandoned, before the attempt has been seriously made. CHILE, OR CAPSICUM. Whole estates are devoted, on the Table-land, to the cul- tivation of this most powerful stimulant, and few are more productive, as it constitutes one of the necessaries of life with the Indian, and Mestizo, population, and is used in very large quantities at the tables of the Creoles of all ranks. Its pungency is so great, that, amongst the un- initiated, it produces absolute excoriation ; but the palate becomes accustomed to it by degrees, and habit renders it indispensable. It is used by the lower classes as a season- ing to the insipid tortilla, and the two together furnish a meal, which they would not exchange for an allowance of meat, and wheaten bread. In addition to the vegetable productions already enume- rated, Mexico possesses the potatoe, which is found in great