This page has been validated.
14
MEXICO IN 1827.
Dollars. Rs.
Brought forward 17,773,000 5
From Acapulco (on both) 1,500,000
Contraband Trade 2,500,000
————— ——
Total average value of Exports 21,773,000 5
————— ——

Allowing 227,000 dollars more, on each year, for the Contraband Trade which appears to have increased in value in each successive year, although its exact amount cannot be ascertained, we shall have a total Exportation of Twenty-two millions of dollars, to set against a total Produce of Twenty-four millions; so that, during the fifteen years that preceded the Revolution, the amount of the precious metals that accumulated in Mexico would appear to have been Thirty millions of dollars.

This estimate differs materially from that given by Baron Humboldt, who did not conceive, at the time of his visit, that the annual produce of the mines exceeded twenty-three millions of dollars.

This calculation was perfectly natural in 1803, the average of the Coinage, from 1796 to that year, having only been 21,750,249 dollars;[1] to which Humboldt adds 1,249,751 dollars, for silver not included in the Mint Returns.

But the Coinage from 1803 to 1810 inclusive,

  1. The Mint Returns from 1796 to 1803 (inclusive,) give 174,001,998 dollars as the Total Coinage during the eight years.