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MEXICO IN 1827.

cent, on foreign goods. These altogether produce only 500,000 dollars; though the revenues from 1812 to 1821 amounted to four millions annually. At that time, however, San Blas was the only port in the whole Mexican territory, besides Vera Cruz, open to foreign trade; and consequently the duties upon goods intended for the consumption of the Northern States, which now supply themselves through their own ports, accumulated in Jalisco.

The mines of Guadalajara, with the exception of those of Bolaños, which I was very sorry not to be able to visit, are of less importance than those of the other Central States. Bolaños is situated in a barranca, the lowest part of which is only 3107 feet above the level of the sea. Of the works carrying on there, I have already given a description (Book VI. Section II.), to which I can make no additions. At Comanja, another district, between Lagos and Leon, the United Company has contracted for the mines of Diamantillo and Guardarraya, which, from Mr. Alaman's account, may be regarded as a mere experiment. The principal vein of Cŏmānjă is considered to be a prolongation of the Veta Madre of Guanajuato; but since the expulsion of the Jesuits, who worked the famous mine of Los Remedios there, it has been little explored. The Sierra of Comanja is partly volcanic and partly trapp. Besides silver, it abounds in magnetic iron, lead, and tin; but the Pueblo itself was entirely destroyed during the war,