In 1821, the whole of the Imports, with the exception of 37,995 dollars, were introduced in Spanish bottoms, from Spain, or her immediate dependencies, without any intervention, or participation in the trade by any foreign power.
In 1822, the Imports from Spain and her dependencies amounted only to 2,553,255 dollars; while the direct Imports from foreign countries rose to 1,169,764 dollars, or upwards of thirty times their amount in 1821.
In 1823, the Spanish Imports, at Alvarado and Veracruz, fell to about one-fourth of their amount during the preceding year, being only 480,007 dollars; while the direct Imports from foreign ports rose to 2,090,732; without making any allowance for the twenty-three vessels from the United States which discharged at Tampico.
In 1824, the Imports from Europe direct at Alvarado and Veracruz, were 7,437,375 dollars, and those of European productions from Cuba, 3,481,831 dollars; (these last belonging strictly to the Imports from foreign ports, passing merely through the Havanna from its being a free port,) while no direct importation whatever from Spain took place. At Tampico, the trade was entirely in the hands of the United States; while at Alvarado, out of 18,730 tons of shipping registered in the year, 8,320 tons were from Europe direct.
These facts sufficiently show how entirely the channels of communication varied between 1821 and
