CHAPTER XXX.
COMMERCE.
1500-1800.
The Selfish Policy of Spain — Commercial and Moral Effect in New Spain — Casa de Contratacion and Consulados — Depredations by Hostile Nations and Corsairs — Early Trade with Santo Domingo — Intercolonial Trade with the Philippines — Decadence — Commerce with Peru — Niggardly Regulations — Mexican Highways — The Road from Vera Cruz to the Capital and Acapulco — Stage Lines — Internal Navigation — The Postal Service — Abuses — The Crown Assumes the Management — Internal Trade — Fairs and Markets — Relaxation of Restrictions — Insurance Companies — A Bubble Bank and Gulled Shareholders — Expansion of Commerce under Free Trade.
The jealous and exclusive system adopted by Spain in her colonization of the New World has no parallel in the history of mankind. For three centuries the political and commercial dependence of the colonies upon the mother country was as complete and absolute as selfish policy, rigorous laws, and oppressive government could make it. To drain the Indies of their wealth and draw it to Spain was the sole aim which influenced the Spanish monarchs in legislating for their colonial possessions, and the prohibitive system of commerce pursued by them makes glaringly conspicuous their indifference to the welfare of the transatlantic settlements. The principles of the commercial code promulgated were despotic, and in order to secure a monopoly of trade, certain manufactures and the cultivation of the vine and olive were forbidden. Every European article of necessity or luxury called for by the colonists of New Spain had to be imported
