velopment of the national mercantile marine by the reduction of importation duties.[1]
With regard to the carrying trade, the United States has always far surpassed England and all other nations. In 1826, 399 vessels under the United States flag entered Mexican ports, against 55 English; in 1851, 435 American, 108 English, and 296 vessels of other nations entered. The subjoined tables supply shipping statistics for later years.[2] During the fiscal year 1883-4, no less than 1,241 vessels
- ↑ Namely, 2 per cent on goods brought from any foreign port; 4 per cent on goods from Asiatic ports to the Pacific coast of Mexico, by irregular voyages, and 8 per cent by regular steamer lines. Mex., Mem. Hac., 1884, pp. xvii.-xviii.; Diario Ofic., Dec. 13, 1883.
- ↑ The entries were as follows:
Vessels. Tonnage. 1869 — American 371 531,194 English 150 87,779 Other nations 337 97,059 Mexican 2,473 110,673 Totals 3,331 826,705 These vessels conveyed 7,146 passengers to Mexico.
Vessels. Tonnage. 1870 — American 328 386,176 English 163 75,461 Mexican 2,155 108,641 Other nations 304 98,783 Totals 2,950 669,061 These vessels conveyed 6,780 passengers.
Vessels. Tonnage. 1871 — American 299 371,040 English 165 91,951 Mexican 1,978 98,408 Other nations 311 92,343 Totals 2,753 653,742 These vessels conveyed 6,294 passengers.
Departures:
Vessels. Tonnage. 1869 — Foreign 830 664,917 Mexican 2,489 104,722 1870 — Foreign 801 559,543 Mexican 2,140 100,008 1871 — Foreign 752 446,398 Mexican 1,906 105,617 Total for the 3 years 8,918 1,981,205 Mex., Mem. Fomento, 1873, annexes B, C, & D. Comparing the number of Mexican vessels and their corresponding tonnage with that of foreign vessels and their tonnage, it will be seen that the former were of smaller burden, owing to the fact that the Mexican mercantile marine consists principally of small coasting craft, with but few ocean-traversing bottoms.
